How often do you trim a dogs nails

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How often do you trim a dogs nails
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Look, it happens, I know! You have every intention of trimming your dog’s nails weekly, but other things pop up and proper dog grooming chores can get put off. And soon, you look down and notice long, curved daggers sticking out from your dog’s paw. Well, it’s time to address your dog’s long nails. Overgrown dog nails are extremely painful for your dog and it will only get worse if you don’t trim them soon.

Dog nails become overgrown for two reasons: dogs hate having their nails trimmed or the pet owners haven’t trimmed them.

If Your Dog Hates Nail Trims

If your dog hates nail trims, then check out this series on teaching dogs to tolerate nail trims. Please don’t force your dog to endure this process. It will only worsen his fear, which makes it more difficult the next time you trim his nails. Practice each dog nail trimming session with lots of rewards. Within a week, you’ll be clipping your dog’s nails back.

If You Just Haven’t Trimmed Them

Grab lots of super yummy treats or smear peanut butter inside a heavy plate. Now, grab your dog nail clippers and septic powder. Plan to clip your dog’s nails back during your first session. If you trim too much nail, then you’ll end up quicking them (bleeding). And know, quicking your dog’s nails is extremely painful and will cause him to hate nail trims.

When trimming dog nails, look for the hollow area (usually at the tip) under your dog’s nail. If it’s hollow underneath, then you can trim this portion off. When viewing your dog’s nail underneath, you’ll notice a gray gummy substance. This is the quick. Never trim the quick. By trimming the hollow part, the gummy substance (quick) will recede back toward the paw.

Create a Schedule

Your goal is to trim your dog’s nails to an acceptable length, which means nails don’t touch the ground when your dog is standing. For overgrown dog nails, you’ll need to clip long nails weekly. This gives the quick time to recede toward the paw.

Once your dog’s nails are finally at an acceptable length, keep trimming back his nails on a weekly basis. If you skip a week or two, your dog’s nails will start touching the ground. Dog nails grow quickly, so weekly maintenance is needed.

Make It Fun

This is so important. Give your dog lots of treats before and after trimming his nails. I literally give my dog a treat as I reach for his foot, and then another yummy treat after I trim a nail. Basically, you can’t reward this behavior enough!

Say no to tick tick nails clacking on your hardwood floors forever. Trim your dog’s nails weekly!

Pet owners typically have every intention of doing dog nail clipping weekly, but it’s not always a realistic goal and often gets dropped from the to-do list. However, if left unattended too long, one day, you’ll look closely and notice long and curved nails sticking out from their paws! When that happens, it’s time to take action before their overgrown nails become painful.

A good dog grooming schedule needs to include more than bathing and brushing. Clipping their nails is not only necessary to avoid rough scratches, but also to keep your pet healthy. While dogs will naturally wear down their nails through normal day to day activities, the more time they spend indoors, the more often they may need dog nail clipping.

Learning About Your Dog’s Nails

As mentioned, if the nails get too long, it can put pain and pressure on your dog’s toes and paws, which will eventually put strain on their legs too. Additionally, long nails are also prone to splitting and can become infected. When nails become very overgrown, some dogs may even find it difficult to place their full body weight on their feet without discomfort.

So, how do you know the right length for your dog’s nails? You can ask your local dog grooming service for advice, but generally, your dog’s nails are too long if they protrude over the pad. They should not touch the ground when your pet is standing.

With that information in mind, many Indiana pet owners likely wonder how frequently their dog’s nails need to be cut. Ideally, dogs need their nails clipped and filed on a regular basis, usually every 3 to 4 weeks. If you don’t feel comfortable clipping their nails at home, contact your dog grooming salon in Valparaiso and book them an appointment.

However, if you do want to get into the habit of dog nail clipping at home, here are some tips to help you succeed:

  • Purchase the right tools. There are several different types of nail clipping and filing tools available. Be sure to read the instructions for your particular tool carefully before beginning.
  • All dog’s nails have a quick running through them. The quick is the blood vessels and nerves of the nail. The general recommendation is to cut approximately 2mm away from the quick.
  • When you cut the nail, you have to be decisive and make a smooth, quick motion while holding the nail steady.
  • The claws on your dog’s rear feet are usually shorter and may require less frequent trimming than those on their front feet.

Smoochie Pooch: Your Local Dog Grooming Service in Indiana

Smoochie Pooch takes great pride in knowing everything there is to know about caring for your pet’s grooming needs. We’ll make sure their nails, hair, ears, and even their teeth get the treatment they need so that they look good and feel good too. With four locations and a mobile grooming service, we can conveniently support pet owners across Indiana and help them ensure their pet gets the top quality grooming they deserve. Make a grooming appointment today or call us at (219) 286 3608 to find out more about our services.

How do I know when to trim my dog's nails?

With your furry friend standing in front of you with their front legs under their shoulders, check their nails. Are they touching the ground? If so, then they're too long. And if you hear your dog's nails clicking or see them turn sideways, it's time for a trim.

What happens if you don't trim your dog's nails?

Long nails can turn a sound paw into a splayed foot and reduce traction, and they can cause deformed feet and injure the tendons over an extended period. As the long nail hits the ground, the pressure puts force on the foot and leg structure.