Most pet owners know that dog grooming is a necessity, but the health benefits of nail trimming are still a mystery to many. Dogs tend to squirm and fuss during nail clippings, so you might delay trimming sessions to avoid the struggle. Neglecting your pup’s nails can hurt them and cause long-term damage. This guide explores the effects of overgrown nails and how you can combat them.

Why Nail Clipping Is an Essential Part of Dog Grooming

What Happens When a Dog’s Nails Aren’t Trimmed?

Like humans, dogs have continuously growing nails that need to be cut back. The angle of growth on your pooch’s nails make trimming especially important. Long nails that clack loudly on hard surfaces splay out your pet’s paws, throwing them off-balance and causing their muscles to shift into an unnatural position; this makes walking and running painful. Over time, poor posture can cause bone deformities and joint problems. Overgrown nails are also prone to infection; they are more likely to split and break, which is extremely painful and allows bacteria to enter the affected area.

How Should I Cut My Dog’s Nails?

The best way to protect your pet from nail problems is with regular dog grooming. To safely cut back your dog’s nails, use scissor-style clippers for large dogs or guillotine clippers for small and medium dogs. Have plenty of treats ready to make the experience more positive for your pup. Gently but firmly hold one paw at a time, then clip the tip at an angle from below.

Be careful not to nick the quick. This light pink area contains blood vessels, so cutting it will hurt your dog and cause heavy bleeding. Locating this area can be challenging if your dog has dark nails. When dealing with black nails, trim in small increments until you start to see a pinkish oval around the top of the blunted edge. If you aren’t confident in your clipping skills, take your pet to professional dog groomers. They have the right tools and experience to get the job done quickly and safely.

Keep your pup’s nails short and healthy with grooming services from K9 Cabana Dog Resort & Training Center. Located in Myrtle Beach, SC, this dog boarding, training, and grooming facility puts the safety and comfort of your pooch first. They offer luxurious baths, hair cutting and styling, nail trimming, teeth brushing, and even relaxing facials and massages. When you leave your dog to spend the day with these expert groomers, they’ll look primped and polished by the end of their session. Visit their website for details on dog grooming packages. To set up a spa day for your pup, call (469) 969-9135.