06/20/2025
“Oh rubbish....our nails don’t hurt when they grow.”
I hear you, but let’s look at why trainers, groomers, vets (really anyone who works closely with dogs) will urge you to please trim your dog’s nails or “claws”.
It isn’t always nice to hear but it is an important message.
What happens when your dogs nails are too long?
The toes can start to splay, they can spread our unnaturally.
This affects how the foot can move and place itself.
Did your dog’s toes once sit neatly and tightly together?
Have you noticed they now sit wider apart?
Notice those bigger gaps?
The foot isn't as compact as it one was.
Over time.... the toes can twist and they may have a new way of moving or walking, one their body isn’t built for and it can be very subtle and tricky to spot.
That new movement affects joints and muscles all the way up the leg.
Eventually.... it can impact the hips.
The gait can be affected as well as their whole walking style.
Why does this happen?
Dog nails don’t retract.
They stay long (and for long nails concrete walking may not help at all...it just means more pain).
Long nails can’t sink into hard surfaces.
The toes bend... the joints strain and the foot compensates in unnatural ways.
Will they show pain?
Some dogs will..... many don’t or can’t.
That doesn't mean they’re not in a lot of discomfort.
Pain often shows in unexpected ways...unwanted behaviour, movement and posture.
Pain that is preventable becomes a welfare issue.
We owe it to our dogs to help them live (as much as possible) a pain free life.
Yes...nail care can be hard.
Yes, some dogs hate it and progress can be snail pace slow.
However....we owe it to our dogs to not give up on them or their nails.
