Cutting a dog’s claws: you need to know that!

Just like human nails, dogs’ claws need to be clipped when they get too long. Otherwise, the risk of injury increases and problems such as poor posture will sooner or later arise. In the following article we explain when a dog’s nails are too long and what you need to consider when clipping the claws.

Key facts at a glance

Claws that are too long can cause pain and poor posture in dogs, among other things.
If the nails touch the ground, they are definitely too long and should be trimmed promptly.
Dog claws should definitely be trimmed with suitable claw scissors or claw clippers.
When clipping claws, it is important not to hit the blood vessels and nerves in the dog’s nails.

Why nail clipping is important in dogs

If your dog’s claws are too long, it’s far more than a visual blemish. Nails that are too long are not only painful, they can also lead to poor posture, as your dog will inevitably have to shift its weight onto the back pads of its paws.

At worst, this can even lead to lameness over time. In addition, the risk of injuries increases significantly due to your dog’s claws being too long. In order to avoid possible damage and to ensure an optimal quality of life, you cannot always avoid having to clip your dog’s claws or have them clipped.

When are dog claws too long?

It is not possible to say in general how often the claws of dogs have to be cut. That depends on how fast your four-legged friend’s nails grow and how severe the abrasion is when going for a walk. Some dogs will need nail trimming every few weeks, while others will not for a dog’s lifetime.

You can easily tell when it is time to cut at the latest by whether your dog’s claws touch the ground when standing. If this is the case, the nails are definitely too long. This usually also applies if the four-legged friend’s claws click on the ground when walking.

What you should definitely pay attention to when cutting claws

In order to avoid mishaps when clipping the claws, your dog should first of all be as relaxed as possible. Pet the dog and practice keeping it calm when you hold its paws tight.

Also note that inside the claws is the so-called life of nerves and small blood vessels. In order not to injure your four-legged friend, it is therefore very important not to shorten the nails too far. Otherwise you have to reckon with the fact that your dog will lose confidence in your claw clipping skills and that the procedure will no longer be so easy to put up with in the future.

In animals with light-colored claws, the vessels and nerves are usually quite easy to see. If your dog has dark nails, a flashlight can help you visualize life and use nail clippers properly when trimming.

How to properly trim your dog’s nails

In order to avoid mishaps when clipping the claws, your dog should first of all be as relaxed as possible. Hold your four-legged friend’s paw firmly so that he cannot simply pull it away when cutting.

Place the claw clippers on the claw about three millimeters from the life and cut them off at a slight angle. The front area of the claw should be slightly longer than the rear area when viewed from the side. You can then carefully file the nail with a special nail file. This ensures that the freshly shortened claws cannot easily splinter or tear.

After you have trimmed all of your dog’s claws in this way, your four-legged friend has of course earned a lot of praise and a very special treat. In this way, he learns that keeping quiet pays off and that clipping his claws is not a bad thing.