It's one of those things that's easy to overlook, but your dog's nails are more important to their health and comfort than most people realise. Long nails aren't just untidy. They can cause real pain, affect posture, and lead to long-term joint problems if left unchecked.
Why Do Some Dogs Need More Frequent Clipping?
Dogs who walk regularly on concrete or hard surfaces naturally wear their nails down as they go. But dogs who spend most of their time on grass, soft ground, or indoors don't get that natural filing effect. For these dogs, nails can grow surprisingly quickly and without regular clipping, they'll soon be causing problems.
If you can hear your dog's nails clicking on hard floors, they're already too long.
What Happens When Nails Get Too Long?
Overgrown nails force your dog's toes into an unnatural position. Over time this affects the way they walk, puts strain on their joints, and can even cause the nail to curve and grow into the pad, which is as painful as it sounds. Long nails also snag more easily on carpets, furniture, and outdoor terrain, which can lead to painful tears.
Don't Forget the Dew Claws
Dew claws are the small claws found higher up on the leg, a little like a thumb. Not all dogs have them, and some have them on all four legs. Because dew claws never touch the ground, they never wear down naturally at all. They're easy to forget about, but they grow in a curve and if left too long, they can grow right around and into the skin. We always check and clip dew claws as part of every nail appointment.
Why Home Clipping Can Be Risky
We completely understand the appeal of doing it yourself at home. But dog nail clipping is one of those things that looks simpler than it is, and a bad experience can put your dog off nail clipping for life.
Inside every dog's nail is the quick, a blood vessel and nerve that runs through the nail. In dogs with clear or light nails you can sometimes see it as a pink line. In dark nails, it's invisible. Clip too short and you'll hit the quick, which bleeds and is painful for your dog.
We won't pretend it never happens to us either. Even experienced groomers occasionally catch a quick, especially on dark nails or with a wriggly dog. We keep a medicated blood-stopping powder in the salon for exactly this reason. It stops the bleeding quickly and prevents infection. It's one of those things that's just part of the job, though we'd be lying if we said clipping the nails of some dogs wasn't a bit like trying to trim the claws of a very unimpressed kangaroo.
The Quick Grows Too
Here's something many owners don't know: the quick doesn't stay in one place. In a dog with overgrown nails, the quick grows forward with the nail. This means we physically cannot take overgrown nails back to a short length in one go, even if we wanted to.
Instead, we clip a little at a time, usually with a week or two between sessions, to allow the quick to gradually recede back up the nail. It takes patience, but it's the only safe way to get long nails back to a healthy length without causing pain or injury. If your dog's nails are very overgrown, please don't be disheartened if we can't get them short in one visit. We're working with your dog's biology, not against it.
Why Early Introduction Makes All the Difference
Nail clipping involves pressure on the paw, an unfamiliar tool, a clipping sound, and sometimes an electric file on the nail tip. For a dog who has never experienced any of this, it can feel alarming. For a dog who was introduced to it gently as a puppy, it's just another normal part of life.
This is one of the many reasons we recommend puppy grooming sessions from as early as possible. Getting young dogs comfortable with having their paws handled and their nails touched means that by the time they need a full clip, it's already familiar. A relaxed dog makes for a safer, quicker, and much more pleasant experience for everyone.
When to See a Vet
Most nail care can be handled by your groomer, but there are times when a vet visit is the right call. If a nail has already grown into the pad, if there's swelling, discharge, or signs of infection around the nail, or if a nail has been torn or broken, please contact your vet rather than attempting to deal with it at home. These situations need professional veterinary attention.
Next Blog: Why Puppy Grooming Matters
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