Introduction
Overgrown nails on paws can cause conditions which lead to pain and in some cases serious infections. Long nails can also accidentally injure pet owners, guests, and children. To clip your dog’s nails, you can either take your dog to a veterinarian or clip the nails yourself.
Risks Associated with Untrimmed Nails
When nails become too long on a dog’s paws they can begin to cause discomfort and even difficulties walking, particularly on wet or slick floors. Long nails can also accidentally scratch people and cause unnecessary injuries.
Overgrown nails can also lead to serious infections. If a long nail breaks too far up on the cuticle, an infection can develop. Long dewclaws, and in rare cases nails on the paw, can actually curl and begin to grow back into the skin causing severe pain and infected abscesses. In severe cases, sedation and surgery is needed to repair the damage.
Clipping a Dog's Nails
To clip your dog’s nails, it is always best to begin when your dog is a puppy. This way, your dog will get used to getting its nails clipped early in life. Older dogs that have not had their nails clipped regularly can sometimes be difficult to handle. If a pet owner cannot control their dog for a nail clipping, it is best to take the dog to a veterinarian.
If you can clip your own dog’s nails, be sure that you purchase a quality nail trimmer. When the nail trimmer becomes dull, either have it professionally sharpened or replace it. Never trim your dog’s nail on the cuticle. This causes pain and bleeding. If you look closely at your dog’s nail, you may be able to see the white area under the nail where the cuticle begins. If your dog has black cuticles, just trim the thin points on the nail and try to stay away from the area where the nail begin to thicken. You may also want to purchase a powder product that helps to immediately stop bleeding in case you accidentally nick the cuticle.