The term "It's a Dog's Life" isn't what it used to be when the first reference of the expression was recorded in the 16th century. Most dogs live a life in the lap of luxury compared to their counterparts centuries ago. Back in those times, dogs did not run on manicured lawns and carpeted floors.
Specialized dog food, memory foam beds, dog day camps, and even paw booties are the norm more often than not. This new lifestyle of being indoors and pampered has led to less of an opportunity for canines to naturally wear down their nails on harder surfaces such as unpaved roads and asphalt.
The Why
First, let's address the elephant in the room. We know dogs don't have nails but have claws. For the purpose of this blog, we will be using the commonly used term of the nail. Now onto the real issue.
When a dog's nails get too long, it's painful for the dog because their nails are pushed back by the ground into their nail beds. It's like a human wearing a shoe that is too small or trying to bear all of your weight on your fingernails. If this persists over a long period of time, foreleg joint realignment could pave the way for other injuries.
In most cases, overly long dog nails are prone to breaking and splitting to point a veterinarian has to intervene. In some rare cases, overgrown dog nails can begin to curve over and grow into the pads of their paws. In both cases, OUCH!
The Deal with the Dewclaw
For those who may not know what a dewclaw is, it's a 5th claw located on the lower back of a dog's leg. They use this 5th claw for changing direction quickly or for tearing at bones. A veterinarian at Johns Hopkins University who worked with athlete canines noticed that the dogs who had their dewclaws removed were more susceptible to arthritis. Also keep in mind that this was not a scientific study but rather an observation by one doctor.
Keeping the dewclaw isn’t an issue for most breeds of dogs, but some breeds only have a thin layer of skin that attaches the back claw so keeping is well trimmed is essential.
Quick Note About the Quick
Just like humans, dogs' nails have what is commonly referred to as the quick. The quick is a vein and nerve that runs through the center of a canine nail. If a nail is cut too short, the quick can be exposed and bleeding most likely will occur, and is very painful for your pup.
Identifying exactly where the quick starts can be a bit tricky, especially if your dog has dark-colored or black nails. If you have never cut a dog's nails before, it's best to take your pup to a groomer or veterinarian the first few nail trims. You don't want to scare your furry family member off from ever getting his nails trimmed again. It's best to ease a dog into the routine and to offer lots of treat to help condition them to not fear nail trims.
Nailing It
Keeping your dog's nails at the right length should be part of your dog's grooming routine. If you're like most Americans' who need some extra help getting all of those little extras done, you can schedule an appointment at our pet spa for your dog's bath, brush, and nail trim.
