Why Is Cutting the Nails Healthy?

A dog's nails require regular cutting. Cutting helps keep the dog healthy and prevents the dog from pain caused when the nails grow too long. Many dogs dislike having their nails cut, so maintaining them at a healthy length can be difficult task for some dog owners.

  1. Nails Curl

    • One reason to cut a dog's nails is to prevent them from curling. Curling happens when a dog's nails grow so long that they begin to bend under. Curled nails cause pain for the dog as the nail digs into the pad of the dog's paw.

    Nails Crack

    • Longer nails are more prone to cracking and splitting than shorter ones. Since dogs are almost always on their paws, the risk of a nail cracking when it's longer is greater. A cracked nail makes for a sore paw.

    Physical Conditions

    • Long nails make walking and running awkward for dogs. Eventually, as the nails continue to grow, a dog's natural movement becomes impaired and his gait is disrupted. When this occurs, more pressure is put on other joints that can lead to lameness down the road.

    Infection

    • Infections occur when a dog's nail tears and breaks, which is more likely to happen when a dog's nails are long. When a tear or break happens, the vein running through the nail becomes exposed to bacteria, causing an infection in the nail bed.

    Clicking

    • Long nails click when the dog walks on hard surfaces. Although walking on a road or gravel helps keep dogs nails trimmed---acting as a natural nail file as the dog walks and runs---the clicking can aggravate a dog's paw, especially if they're sensitive.