Nail cutting is an essential and often overlooked part of dog care. Clipping your dog’s nails can be challenging and time-consuming, especially when your pooch starts to fidget. However, letting them grow too long will have negative effects on their health. Here are five reasons why you should trim your dog’s nails.

Why You Should Clip Your Dog’s Nails

1. Avoid Breakage

If you’ve ever allowed your nails to grow too long, you’ve likely dealt with a painful bent or broken nail. The same can happen to your dog. Unfortunately, a split nail is much more than just an annoyance for them. This small injury can be excruciating to walk on and will more than likely require a visit to the veterinarian for professional dog care.

2. Prevent Joint Pain

When dogs adjust their gait to avoid walking on long nails, this alters the position of their joints, bones, and muscles. Overcompensation on a certain side or leg puts too much pressure on those joints. If left untreated, this can lead to joint pain or even arthritis.

3. Keep Them Balanced

Listen for a loud click-clacking when your dog is walking across hard surfaces. If their nails are touching the ground on flat flooring, chances are they’re too long. Elongated nails curl inward, and the discomfort of standing on them causes dogs to shift their weight to a less painful position, which can throw them off balance, making it more difficult for your dog to walk and run.

4. Avoid Snagging

If you have carpet or rugs anywhere in your home, stay on top of nail clipping. Protruding nails can snag on the material, hurting your dog and damaging your carpet. Particularly sharp or jagged nails might also be a danger to furniture, blankets, clothes, and your skin.

5. Keep Infection at Bay

Not only are broken nails painful, but they may also lead to infection. In extreme cases, nails allowed to grow too long can curl around a dog’s paw and into their skin or pads. Both will result in a great deal of pain for your pooch.

Are your dog’s nails paining them? Bring them to Waipio Pet Clinic in Waipahu, HI, for expert dog care and veterinary services. Whether your pet needs emergency care, surgery, or a routine checkup, the clinic is here to help. To request an appointment, visit them online or call (808) 676-2205.