Dog Nail Care
Dogs' nails grow constantly. Therefore, they must be trimmed at regular intervals.
WHY DO NAILS NEED TO BE CLIPPED?
Some dog owners are lucky and hardly ever have to clip their dogs' nails. Others will have to use dog nail clippers about every three weeks. Because if they are not clipped, you'll hear loud crackling footsteps as your dog walks across hardwood or tiled floors. These sounds are a clear sign that nails are touching the ground and need to be clipped. This should be done both to prevent scratches that may occur on the floor of your house and to take care of your dog's health. Long nails can pose hazards in more than one situation:
• The dog is less in contact with the soil on a smooth surface. This can cause your dog to slip and be injured while walking.
• Long nails can easily attach to surfaces (such as carpets) and damage them.
• Pressure on the paws can cause pain at the bases of the paws. These can cause limited mobility and posture damage in your dog.
• If the dog's nails are too long, the pressure area will continue to curl, so at some point, you will need to shorten the nails.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED TO CLIP DOG NAILS?
The frequency of clipping dog nails varies according to each dog. Some dog owners do not realize that their dog's nails are constantly growing because the nails curl quickly. This is often the case with many stray dogs running on asphalt roads. Nails are self-filed due to uneven ground. Dogs that are only familiar with soft ground at home and rarely run on hard ground, even on walks outside, look different. The nails of these dogs are hardly eroded. On the other hand, dogs' nail growth rate may differ due to individual predisposition or breed-related factors. For this reason, it is almost impossible to say when the nails need to be clipped. It is necessary to clip the nails when they start to touch the ground and loud clicks are heard while the dog is walking. This procedure may need to be repeated after a few weeks or a few months.
CAN I CLIP THE NAILS OF MY DOG MYSELF?
Most dog owners use nail clippers to trim their dog's nails. But sometimes it is better to have a veterinarian or dog groomer do clip the nails. For instance, if the dog is very restless or does not want their nails clipped it would be difficult to do it. In such circumstances, it becomes very difficult to clip the nails and the dog is more likely to get hurt. The same goes for dogs with dark colored nails. Unlike light-colored nails, it is very difficult to observe the blood circulation in dark-colored nails. If it is clipped in the wrong spot, the dog's nail will start to bleed. Therefore, you need to be very careful and not clip too deeply.
WHAT DO I NEED TO CLIP DOG NAILS?
Please do not use old nail clippers. These are not suitable for clipping dog nails at all. A nail clipper designed specifically for dogs may not look much different from the nail clippers we know at first glance, but it is still crucial how to select them: Although a double-edged, almost flat cutting surface is useful enough for straight nails, it is not possibly suitable to use on round dog paws. If regular nail clippers are used, the dog's nails may splinter. Therefore, special nail clippers are designed to clip the entire surface of the nail at the same time, resulting in a significantly smoother nail trim. In order to ensure a smooth cut, the nail clippers must be not outworn. Nail clippers are quite inexpensive and should be re-purchased if needed. It is also recommended to use a nail file to correct the sharp edges of the nails and thus prevent the floor of your house from being scratched. It is also recommended that you use a washcloth and/or towel if you are concerned about damaging your dog's blood circulation.
How can I clip my dog's nails?
Do not force your dog to clip their nails when they are playful, restless or hungry. Wait for the right time and ensure that the place where you are going to clip your dog's nails is well lit. Your dog should be lying down comfortably so you can find a suitable position to clip the nails next to him. Take your dog's paw or nail in a position that you can easily hold without putting too much pressure on it. Now place the nail clippers about 2 millimeters below the nail line. The important thing here is the angle. Focus on the shape of the nail and shorten accordingly. Nail clipping should not be done at a vertical angle and there should be no obvious sharp nail tip. An acute angle is sufficient so that the front of the nail is slightly longer than the back side. It is not surprising that not all nails need to be shortened to equal sizes. Sometimes apparent differences are seen between the front and hind paws. One or two nails may be too long compared to others. It is also important to look at the back claw, which is a piece above the paws. The back claws don't wear much, so over time, they can grow long enough to become painful over time. If you have trouble using the nail clipper, you should clip the nail piece by piece. Finally, make sure that no nails begin to bleed. If all goes well, reward your dog and start playing games with him. Your dog will (hopefully) remember this until next time and put up with the nail clipping without hesitation thanks to the treats.
