If you can hear your dog coming across the tiles before you can see them, those little click, click, clicks might be telling you something.
It could be time for a nail trim.
Keeping your dog’s nails at a healthy length isn’t just about neat-looking paws. Nails that become too long can make walking uncomfortable, alter the way a dog places its feet and make nails more likely to snag, crack or split.
How often should you trim them?
There’s no perfect timetable because every dog is different.
Dogs that regularly walk on pavements and other harder surfaces may naturally wear their nails down more than dogs spending most of their time on grass, sand or around the house.
Rather than relying on a calendar, make checking your dog’s paws part of your normal routine.
And don’t forget the dewclaws: those smaller nails slightly higher up the leg. Because they don’t normally touch the ground, they don’t get naturally worn down and can become surprisingly long.
Nervous about cutting them yourself?
You’re definitely not alone.
Inside each nail is sensitive tissue called the quick, and cutting into it can hurt and cause bleeding. This can be especially difficult to judge on dogs with dark nails.
If you’re not confident, there’s no need to turn nail day into a wrestling match. Your vet or groomer can trim them safely, and you can ask them to show you how to do it properly at home.
Make paw checks a habit
While you’re checking the nails, take another few seconds to look between the toes and underneath the paws too.
Look out for cuts, thorns, swelling, cracked pads or anything else that doesn’t look quite right.
It’s a tiny bit of regular maintenance that can prevent a surprisingly uncomfortable problem.
Happy paws make for happier walks. 🐾
Yours in Paws,
The PawPaw Team