Just like humans, pups’ toenails are made of a protein called keratin. Each nail contains the quick; which is a highly sensitive bundle of nerves and blood vessels. Past the quick, the toenails don’t have any nerves and are typically less sensitive. Some dogs have a dewclaw, which is much like a thumb. They are typically located on the wrist or ankle and also have a nail on the inside.
The dewclaw needs to be trimmed as well as the other toenails, especially because it rarely touches the ground and will not get worn down. If left untrimmed the dewclaw can curve and touch the dog’s leg and can cause a painful wound.
Nail trimming is important, but how do we know when our pups need a trim? The general guideline is that the nails should not touch the ground when they are standing upright on all four feet. If they click on the ground, they are too long.
When the nails touch the floor they push back against the pups’ toes and put pressure on the other structures of the paws. If nails get too long, they can begin spreading the toes and deforming the pups’ feet. This is when the paws can become painful and more prone to injury. A splayed foot reduces traction and causes injury to the tendons overtime. Your dog will likely be less playful and become less interested in running or walking. And, they may resist any touching of their paws and the added pain can cause stress or anxiety for the pup.
When trimming your pups’ nails, ideally the goal is to cut just before the quick (removing only the sharp tip of the nail). If the quick is injured or cut, it will bleed. Regular nail trimming will cause the quick to recede slowly, which is a good thing to keep the nails shorter so that the quick doesn’t grow longer.
If you are nervous about trimming your pups’ nails or are worried about hitting the quick and causing your pup discomfort, there is the option of a nail grinder. The grinders provide a bit of protection from damaging the quick; if you grind too close to it your pup will be able to let you know to stop due to discomfort. This allows you time to stop before damaging the quick.
If you have any questions about cutting your dog’s nails, feel free to contact your veterinarian. Now let’s get those mani/pedis done to keep our dogs’ nails beautiful and healthy.