Can you hear your dog's nails clicking on the floor? According to Dr. Melissa Stephenson of PNW Visiting Vet, "Having your dog's nails trimmed regularly is important for their health. Long nails can be a source of discomfort, lameness, and infection."
When your dog's nails are touching the ground, the nails dig into the nail beds with every step, causing pain, opening them up to infection and putting them at risk of breaking, splitting or ripping a nail, causing even more excruciating pain. Long nails can also affect their posture, cause them pain and long-term health issues, like long term back and hip pain.
Your dog’s nails should be short enough to not hear them clicking on the floor when they walk. For most cats and dogs, a one, two, three, or four-week schedule is enough to maintain ideal nail length. For long, overgrown nails, it is recommended to trim them every two weeks in three visits over six weeks to slowly set the nail bed back, getting them to the desired length without added discomfort.
Getting your pets on a regular schedule of nail care will help their overall well-being for the years to come. That's why I am now offering house call nail trimming services; because it is so important, and I understand how difficult it can be to get your pet to the vet for that stressful nail trim experience. Let me come to you! Even though your pets may be hesitant for nail day, in the end, they will love you for it.
Watch this great, informative video by rehabilitation veterinarian, Dr. Leslie Woodcock, on the importance of regular nail trims and why you need to maintain your pet's nail care. She also offers really good advice and facts for pet parents on how to get over their worries and fears about the nail grooming process.
