Susan Beus Smith
Q. Why is it important to care for my dog’s nails?
Just like caring for your own toenails is an important part of your personal hygiene, nail care should also be a regular part of your dog’s hygiene routine. Overgrown nails can force your dog’s paws into unnatural positions, which over time can cause pain and even permanent damage to the structures of the foot. Overgrown nails may also curve back into the foot causing pressure or even growing into the skin. Additionally, sharp nails or claws can damage floors, furniture and clothing and injure people. While some very active dogs may wear down their nails naturally and never require trimming, the majority of dogs require trimming at regular intervals.
Q. What are the risks of trimming, clipping, or grinding my dog’s nails myself?
A dog’s nails contain live tissue called the quick. The quick grows at differing rates but, in general, the longer the nails are allowed to grow, the longer the quick becomes. The quick is blood-containing tissue with sensation comparable to the skin under human nails. Consequently, the length of the quick determines how short the nail may be trimmed. Although it’s fairly easy to identify the length of the quick on human nails, in dogs, it’s much more difficult. Inexpert clipping may lead to accidental “quicking” (cutting into the quick). This is painful for the dog and often results in messy bleeding which can be difficult to stop. Additionally, pain may create a negative association leading your dog to resist the next time you try to instigate a nail trimming session. On the other hand, when an experienced groomer cares for your dog’s nails, your pet is much more likely to have a positive experience and will have healthier paws as a result. As for nails in which the quick has grown to an undesirably long length, your dog’s groomer will use careful and frequent trimming to slightly expose the end of the quick, which will cause it to withdraw further into the nail and allow the nail to be gradually shortened to a more manageable length.
Q. How does nail trimming, clipping, and grinding work?
Dog nails may be trimmed by clipping and/or grinding. When clipping, a groomer uses specialized clippers to shorten the nails (never use human clippers to trim your dog’s nails). This process is simple and effective but does leave sharp edges. Grinding the nails is a sanding process (sometimes referred to as dremeling due to the frequent use of a Dremel brand rotary tool) that can both shorten the nails and smooth sharp edges. Generally, groomers charge more for the additional time and tools required for grinding. Which process is used should be a joint decision based on the preferences of the owner and the groomer or better yet the needs of the dog.
Q. What can I do to help prepare my dogs so that their nail care experience is a positive one?
Many dogs resist having their feet handled. For such dogs, nail trimming may be a stressful experience. Although groomers are equipped with the necessary tools and skills to handle most dogs, as an owner, you can lessen your dog’s anxiety by handling their feet frequently at home. Briefly grasp your dog’s foot and gently squeeze. While holding the foot, offer your dog petting, praise, a treat, or something else he prizes. Gradually increase the pressure and move to lifting the foot off of the floor. If your dog is too upset to accept a treat while you are holding the foot, begin with simple touching. Never reward your dog for pulling the foot away from you. While holding your dog’s foot off the floor, you may find that he repeatedly attempts to pull the foot free. Don’t let go. Gently but firmly hold the foot and allow him to move it freely gripping more firmly when he pulls and holding it more loosely when he relaxes. Keep these training sessions to about 5-10 minutes each and repeat them up to two times daily. The goal is to prepare your dogs to have pleasant experiences when they take their trips to the groomer.
For more information on dog nail care, as well as other grooming questions, send us your questions on Twitter (@SPAWLLC) or Facebook (SPAW), or schedule an appointment for a nail trimming by clicking on the Make Appointment link at the top of this page.
Susan Beus Smith is the owner and head groomer at SPAW, a luxury dog grooming service. She shares her expertise in dog care, dog grooming, and entrepreneurship via social media and speaking engagements.