Show Just like us humans need to cut our own finger nails regularly, dogs needs to have their nails trimmed from time to time as well. How often should you cut your dog’s nails? On average, most dogs will need to have their nails trimmed every 1-2 months. You can also tell that your dog’s nails need to be trimmed if they are clicking on the floor when your dog walks. Dogs’ front nails tend to grow faster than back nails, so you may not need to trim your dog’s rear nails as frequently as the front nails. However, as with so many things, how often you need to cut your dog’s nails usually depends on a variety of factors, such as:
When You Don’t Cut Nails: When you don’t cut your dog’s nails, your dog may become very uncomfortable, with long nails sometimes causing joint and bone issues. Longer nails can also result in snagging and breakage, which is very painful for your pooch and in some cases may even require a trip to the vet for sedation and repair or removal. Some dog’s nails will curl under their feet and grow into the dog’s foot pads, which hurts and can become infected. If you’ve ever let your own nails grow too long, you know how awkward it can feel. Don’t let your dog’s nails go Wolverine style! Common Problems With Cutting A Dog’s Nails
While cutting the quick does hurt your pooch, the pain shouldn’t last long and they shouldn’t have a problem walking afterwards. Give your pup a break and a reward him before moving to the other nails. If your dog has very long nails, be extra careful, since the quicks are likely long as well. One method is to cut a small tip off the nails every couple of weeks to encourage the quicks to shrink back.
How to Have a Good Nail Cutting ExperienceVisit a Vet or Groomer. When you take a trip to the vet, have your vet show you how to cut your dog’s nails (they’re pros so they should be able to show you the best method for your particular pooch). If things really get hairy between you and your canine during nail cutting sessions, you may want to opt for taking your dog to the groomer to get his nails cut. Groomers know all the tricks of the trade to keep your dog calm and are used to anxious canines. Handle Your Dog’s Paws Early. One of the best ways to ensure future nail cutting goes smoothly is to get your dog accustomed to having his paws held. Gently rub your dog’s feet and reward him for good behavior with praise and treats. Get Some Help. Many owners find that it’s easier to cut their canine pal’s nails when someone else is there to keep the dog calm and even hold him still if he is squirming. Ideally, you’ll probably want your dog to be lying down when you cut his nails (this tends to be the easiest position to work with). Don’t Wait to Start Cutting Your Puppy’s Nails. As noted above, you’ll want to start handling your puppy’s paws right when you get him or her. Play with his toes while giving him treats so he crates a positive association. Once his nails have grown a bit, begin cutting them, but only cut a tiny bit of nail (you really want to avoid cutting anywhere near the quick, since creating a positive experience is the real goal). Trim a little bit of nail every week or so to teach your puppy that getting his nails cut is no big deal. Then in the future, nail cutting will become much easier! Get The Gear: What You Need For Dog Nail CuttingDog nail trimmers are essential dog grooming tools – but you actually have a couple different options for trimming, allowing you to choose between nail clippers or grinders (or both).
If you want to give rotary grinders a try, we suggest checking out the Dremel Pet Grooming Grinder, which comes very highly rated on Amazon and is specifically designed for trimming pets’ nails. Note that while rotary tools are painless, the sound and vibrations can freak dogs out, so it may take some time to get them accustomed to it.
How often should a dog's nails be trimmed?Dogs need their nails clipped on a regular basis, approximately every 3-4 weeks; however, it is common for owners to wait too long in between trimmings which can lead to a number of health issues for the animal.
Is it painful for dogs to get their nails clipped?A dog's nail consists of the living pink quick and the hard outer material called the shell. The quick supplies blood to the nail and runs through the core of it. Nerves in the quick cause bleeding and discomfort when cut.
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