Dog Nail Trimming – Why Is It So Important?

A dog walking with overgrown nails is like you trying to walk around in swim fins. Not a pretty picture! Yet, nail trimming is that one grooming chore that we consistently dread and procrastinate. While our dogs may protest the process initially, their long-term health will benefit from regular nail trimming. When done correctly, it does not hurt – and with regular trimming and lots of treats each trim will get easier and easier.

Why is nail trimming so important?

Long nails change the way a dog carries himself. The toes splay and the angle of the bones shifts and causes joint stress which can lead to joint pain and arthritis. The resulting dropped wrists make the dog look flat footed. This shift toward an unnatural alignment also makes the dog less steady on his feet and can make him more prone to injury.

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The damage and the pain from too long nails are not limited to the feet and legs. Remember what we learned in school? “The leg bone’s connected to the hip bone, the hip bone’s connected to the …” Just like a dog that limps can become sore from supporting weight unevenly, a dog with long nails will carry himself in a way that creates stress on the hips and spine – leading to any variety of aches and pains in the body.

Since our dogs can’t tell us when they are sore or their nails need to be trimmed, it’s up to us to pay close attention and make nail trimming a regularly scheduled routine in our households.

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How to tell if your dog’s nails are too long:

Simple – if you can hear them click on the floor or sidewalk when your dog walks, the nails are too long! Start trimming little bits every other day until they clear the floor, then you can space the trimmings out to every two to three weeks.

WholeLifePets.com is one of the largest sources of products and information for pet dogs and cats. They provide a whole range of pet products including vitamins, supplements, holistic remedies, flea and tick control medicines etc. that helps pets stay healthy.

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