Why do dogs need their nails trimmed?
Nails that are long and not regularly trimmed can be painful and uncomfortable for your dog and even cause serious damage. As nails get longer, they can constantly touch the ground and exert force back into the nail bed, creating pain for the dog and pressure to the toe joint. Long term, this can actually realign the joints of the foreleg and make the foot look flattened and splayed.
Overgrown nails can also curve and grow into the pad of the foot. Long nails can get torn or split, which is very painful and, depending on severity, may need to be treated by a veterinarian. We recommend having your dog’s nails trimmed at least once per month to keep them at a safe length.
