Nail Trimming for Dogs

Although nail trims may seem like a quick and easy job, in reality, nail trims can be a hair pulling experience for both the owner and your dog. It all depends on your dog’s temperament and your comfort level with the task at hand. The biggest fear for many dog owners is being scared of cutting the quick, causing their pet to bleed. And for good reason too because It can hurt! The quick is the blood supply and nerve that feeds the nail bed. For some dogs, once they’ve experienced the pain of cutting the quick they never forget it, making future nail trims next to impossible.

How often should I cut my dog’s nails?

Your dog’s lifestyle will determine how often the nails need to be trimmed. Dogs who spend the majority of their days running in the woods, or chasing a ball on the beach, will naturally wear down their nails and require less frequent nail trims. Smaller breed dogs who prefer a more pampered life on the couch will require regular nail trim. Age can be a factor as well. Older dogs who suffer from the aches and pains of arthritis often need their nails trimmed more often than younger, more active dogs. Trimmed nails will also make waking and getting around easier for your senior dog. Typically, we recommend you check your dog’s nails at least once a month to see if they need trimming. The longer the nail grows, the longer the quicks grow (where the blood supply and nerve enter the nail bed) and this will make them harder to maintain and cut.

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