Clickey-clack! Your puppy is back! You’ve noticed lately that you can hear clipping, clicking noises when your puppy runs into your loving arms. You’ve also noticed you are being scratched more than usual when you play with your puppy which didn’t hurt so much on your skin before. What’s going on? Could it be that your puppy needs a pawicure?
Nailed it!
Part of raising a happy, healthy puppy is paying attention to caring for your dog’s nails. Regular nail trimming in dog grooming ensures a happy, active, and pain-free life for your furry companion. It's an essential part of their overall well-being, and it makes them look well-kept, too. Read our comprehensive guide to dog nail care for healthy puppy paws.
Why Do Dogs Need Nails?
Dogs have nails for several important reasons. Firstly, their nails provide traction and grip, allowing them to run, jump, and navigate different terrains effectively and maintain balance and stability. You may have noticed your puppy’s paws are smooth in one direction and a bit rough in the opposite direction. Your puppy’s paws and nails work together to keep a grip on surfaces.
Additionally, a dog’s nails play a role in digging – something you may hate but your puppy loves! Digging allows dogs to search for food or create shelters and cool spots when your puppy wants to stay cool in hot weather.
Dogs' nails are also used in self-defense, as they can fend off potential threats. Their sharp nails can inflict scratches, slashes, or wounds, acting as a deterrent and protecting themselves from harm. If you’ve ever gotten accidentally scratched, you know how painful it can be!
What Are Dogs’ Nails Made Of?
A dog's nails have two parts: The outer layer is made of keratin, and the blood vessels underneath are called the quick.
Keratin
The outside of a dog’s nails is primarily composed of a tough protein called keratin, the same substance found in human nails and hair, and is considered “dead” due to a lack of nerves. Keratin provides strength and durability to dog nails, allowing them to withstand the impact of daily activities.
The quick
The inner layer of a dog’s nails contains the quick, tube-like structure containing all sorts of sensitive nerve endings and blood vessels. The quick carries oxygen and nutrients to help nails grow. The quick can appear as a pinkish color seen underneath lighter-colored nails, but you may not be able to see the quick for puppies with darker-colored nails.
Why Are Dog Nails Different Colors?
The color of a dog's nails is determined by the pigmentation in its nail bed. Some dogs have black nails, while others have white or light-colored nails. Dogs with black nails typically have more melanin in their nail bed, resulting in dark-colored nails. On the other hand, dogs with white or light-colored nails have less melanin. Nail color can vary even within the same breed or litter, so it's important to be mindful of the quick and exercise caution during trimming to avoid causing discomfort or injury.
How Nutrition Affects Dog Nails
Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy dog nails. A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients supports overall paw health, including nail strength and growth.
Foods high in biotin, such as eggs, liver, and sweet potatoes, can promote healthy nail growth. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil or flaxseed oil can also support nail health. Additionally, certain supplements like biotin supplements or specialized nail and coat supplements can provide extra support for nail growth and strength.
Consult with a veterinarian to determine the best dietary options and supplements for your dog's specific needs, and always read the label before giving your dog anything for their nails.
If you fail to provide a healthy diet for your puppy, its nails could become brittle, split, and broken, causing immense pain and injury.
Best Tips for Getting Your Puppy Used to Nail Trimming
It’s nearly impossible to trim an unruly dog’s nails. They may be totally scared and nip or growl if you even go near their paws. Some dogs will need to be put under anesthesia to trim their nails, so discuss this option with your vet if you believe your puppy falls into this category.
The best thing you can do to help ensure a peaceful, pain-free nail trimming experience is to desensitize your puppy as early as possible, getting them used to the feel and sounds of having their nails cut. Hold their paws and go in between each little toe, massaging the webbing, touching the paw all over. You can even offer treats for more compliance to let your puppy associate nail trimming with a positive experience. Let them sniff the tools and place them by their paws without using them first.
Gradually ease into the process so your puppy is calm and comfortable when it’s time for an actual nail trimming session.
Where Can I Go to Get My Puppy’s Nails Trimmed?
Keeping your puppy’s nails trimmed is easy with all the options available to you.
Leave it to the professionals
Professional groomers are the choice most people think of when they want their puppy’s nails trimmed since it is guaranteed they will have the proper knowledge and equipment. Many veterinary clinics also provide nail clipping as part of their services. Additionally, pet supply stores often have grooming salons or may offer nail trimming services by trained staff. Doggy daycare and boarding kennels may also do nail trims.
DIY dog nail trimming
If you prefer to do it yourself, you can learn how to groom your dog with proper techniques. You should also invest in a quality pair of dog nail clippers or nail grinders like Dremel tools.
Learning how to trim your puppy’s nails yourself can be a challenge but gets easier with practice. Make sure you have a veteran nail clipper show you the ropes for safe ways to cut dog nails. If you don’t know someone personally, search the internet for some well-done instructional tutorials.
What happens if I cut or nick the quick?
The emotional answer unfortunately is you will feel like the world’s worst pet owner, even though we can reassure you that you are not! Your puppy will yelp and squirm away from the pain, leaving a trail of dripping bright red blood. After all, the sensitive part of the nerves has been cut. It may be more traumatizing for you than the puppy!
If you cut your puppy’s nails too closely and nick the quick, you can apply home remedies to stop the bleeding. The first thing you can do is go to your well-stocked dog first aid kit and choose a product with styptic powder, usually known as Kwik-Stop Styptic Powder. This product contains several ingredients all working together to stop the bleeding. Cosgrove of Hepper.com states:
Ferric subsulfate is the active ingredient that stops the bleeding by encouraging the blood to clot. Aluminum chloride, diatomite, bentonite, and ammonium chloride all help with clotting. Copper sulfate is an anti-fungal compound. The last one, benzocaine, is a topical pain reliever that you’ll see in many human products, particularly Orajel for toothaches.
If you don’t have any on hand, you can turn to your pantry for either cornstarch, baking soda, or flour and wrap it with a bandage. As usual, call your veterinarian if the quick continues to bleed or if you need treatment advice.
How Often Should I Trim My Puppy’s Nails?
We wish we could give you a definitive answer to make nail trimming a no-brainer recommendation, but the truth is that it depends on several factors.
As a general guideline, most dogs benefit from nail trimming every 2-4 weeks. If your dog visits a groomer every few months, you may opt to have them done there. However, some dogs may require more frequent trimming, while others may need it less often. It’s not a cut-and-dry situation!
Some dog breeds may require more frequent nail trimming than others due to various factors such as their activity level and the structure of their paws. Proper nail care is crucial for the well-being of indoor dogs, as they have fewer opportunities to naturally wear down their nails. Dogs that mainly stay on the grass or soft surfaces do not have the friction provided by rougher surfaces to help wear down the nails. Walking your dog regularly on asphalt or concrete can help keep his nails filed down so you won’t have to trim them as often.
To know when it's time to trim your dog's nails, pay attention to their length. Your dog’s nails should sit just above the ground when your puppy stands up. If you hear clicking sounds on hard surfaces or notice that the nails are long enough to touch the ground when your dog is standing, it's a good indication that they need trimming. Additionally, if the nails start curling or causing discomfort to your dog, it's time for a trim. If in doubt, consult with a veterinarian or a professional groomer for guidance on your specific breed's needs.
The Devastating Effects of Neglecting to Trim Dog Nails
Failing to trim a dog's nails regularly can lead to various health conditions that can cause discomfort and potential complications. Here are several examples:
- Overgrown Nails: If nails become too long, they can curl and grow into the paw pad, causing pain, inflammation, and even infection. This condition is known as nail bed infection or onychomycosis.
- Splaying: When a dog's nails are excessively long, it can cause the toes to spread apart unnaturally. This splaying can lead to joint and ligament strain, affecting the dog's overall mobility and causing discomfort.
- Walking Difficulties: Long nails can alter a dog's gait and hinder its ability to walk properly. This can lead to abnormal pressure distribution on the paws and joints, potentially resulting in lameness or arthritis over time.
- Ingrown Nails: Overgrown nails can curve and grow into the paw pad, causing pain, swelling, and infection. Ingrown nails may require veterinary intervention to be safely removed.
- Nail Breakage: When nails are too long, they become more prone to breakage or splitting. This can be painful for the dog and may result in bleeding or exposed nerve endings.
- Paw Pad Injuries: Overgrown nails can cause the paw pads to spread apart, making them more susceptible to cuts, abrasions, and infections.
Trim a Pawrade Puppy’s Nails
Before you can put into practice everything you’ve learned about keeping your puppy’s nails trimmed and healthy, you need a puppy first!
Pawrade is proud to partner with hand-selected breeders who raise healthy puppies for loving families that are just like yours. They give them the very best start in life they are ready to be your furever companions.
We’d love for you to check out our puppies for sale so you can soon hear the clickety-clacking of nails as they scramble into your open arms for some puppy snuggles.
