Caring for a dog’s grooming needs is important, and one area that should never be forgotten is trimming their nails. It may not need to be done every week, but ensuring their nails are trimmed regularly is crucial, as it can cause discomfort if neglected.

In this blog, your trusted dog daycare centre is sharing why trimming a dog’s nails is crucial:

Improved Comfort

Trimming your dog’s nails can help them look much neater. Overgrown nails can become cracked, split, and stuck in the carpet or other surfaces. This can cause your pup to be uncomfortable when walking or even lead to infection. Trimming your dog’’s nails can help keep them from becoming overgrown and keep them looking neat. 

Improved Mobility

Long nails can cause the toes to curl under, making it difficult to walk, and can also cause pain in the feet, legs, and joints, as well as causing the dog to feel insecure when walking on hard surfaces. In addition, long nails can increase the risk of slipping and falling and can cause the pads of the feet to become worn and irritated. Regularly trimming your dog’s nails helps to keep them at a comfortable length and can help to prevent these issues from developing.

Disease Prevention

Long nails can harbour bacteria and other germs, leading to infection and disease. Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed is an important way to prevent the spread of diseases. Trimming your dog’s nails can also help keep their feet healthy. Overgrown nails can cause the pads to become dry and cracked, which can cause your dog discomfort and increase the risk of infection. Trimming the nails can help to keep the pads hydrated and healthy and keep them safe from infection.

What to Keep in Mind When You Trim Your Dog’s Nails

As discussed, trimming your pup’s nails should not be overlooked. Trimming your dog’s nails is essential to keeping them healthy and comfortable. Here are some tips to keep in mind when trimming your dog’s nails:

1. Start Early: Getting your dog used to having their nails trimmed from an early age is important. Introduce the process slowly and with plenty of rewards and praise. This will make it much easier to trim your dog’s nails in the future.

2. Use the Right Tools: Ensure you have the right tools on hand before trimming your dog’s nails. Invest in a good pair of dog nail clippers, a nail file, and styptic powder.

3. Know the Anatomy: Understanding the anatomy of your dog’s nails is essential. The nail has a living part and a dead part. Make sure you only trim the dead part of the nail and avoid cutting into the living part.

4. Trim Regularly: Trim your dog’s nails regularly to keep them from getting too long. This will also help keep your pup comfortable and prevent them from scratching or tearing their nails.

5. Reward and Praise: Remember to reward your pup with treats and praise when they’re good during trimming. This will reinforce positive behaviour and make it easier to trim their nails in the future.

Conclusion

Trimming your puppy’s nails is crucial to their overall health and well-being. Not only can it keep them looking neat, but it can also help prevent future medical issues. So be sure to include trimming in your regular dog grooming routine at Pup Playdates.

At Pup Playdates, we provide services like dog grooming and a fun and safe space for your small dog to socialise with other dogs. We host play dates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and are open to all dogs up to 12 kilograms. We have packages tailored to every dog and dog owner’s needs, whether you need a full day of play or just an hour or two. Get your dog groomed and let your pup have a great time in our welcoming environment!