Trimming your pup's nails can be a stressful situation for both you and the dog, but it's actually a labor of love with health-saving benefits as well. We feed our pets the best quality food we can, we keep them mentally and physically stimulated and give them regular baths, all of which are necessary, but regular nail trimming ranks high in importance to balance your dog's overall health. If the pup's nails get too long, they can break, causing them pain and even infection. Too long nails can also cause an irregular gate, which leads to skeletal damage, according to the ASPCA.
Dog's nails naturally curve as they grow out, if not trimmed regularly, and can curve under and dig into its sensitive toe pads. Since dogs walk on their toes, they then compensate by walking farther back on their pads to avoid discomfort. That awkward gait puts stress and strain on all the other muscles and joints. Just as wearing the wrong shoes can result in backaches and sore knees in humans, trying to walk with uncomfortably long nails can cause joint pain and discomfort for your dog. In the worst case scenario, it can contribute to the development of arthritis and other joint problems, according to Becker Animal Hospital.
Should you trim the nails or use a nail grinder? Nail grinding is like using an emery board on our nails to file them and doesn't cause splintering, which can happen with nail clippers. Spending a few days giving your hound tiny morsels of his or her favorite treat, while turning the grinder on and off nearby, can help desensitize fido to its strange noise.
Adding a puppy pedicure to your dog's routine is something that should be done because you love your pet and want the best for him or her. If you are uncomfortable trimming the nails yourself, ask your veterinarian or groomer to show you the proper way to do this task. The education will be invaluable for you both, according to The Gray Muzzle Project.
