How Long Should My Pugs Nails Be

Nail intendance is an ofttimes disregarded attribute of our pet'due south healthcare. Only nail trims are just equally of import every bit any other part of a dog'southward overall care regimen. However, figuring out when it's time to trim your dog'due south nails might non be super intuitive.

You might notice your dog's nails are as well long when they scratch you or when they brainstorm to get caught on the article of furniture, but at that place are other signs that it's time to get out the clippers or head to the groomer.

Paying attention to your dog'south nails and keeping them at an appropriate length tin save you and your dog the pain of dealing with overgrown nails.

Dog Smash Care: Why It'due south Important

Dog running in the park

Dog boom care is important because information technology keeps your pet walking, running, and moving around comfortably. When your dog's nails are too long, they create an unnatural angle for the foot. This causes unequal force per unit area on the toes and tin can cause the nail beds to become sore and tender.

Long nails on dogs are more than prone to splitting and/or splintering. This is the equivalent of a homo hangnail. It is not just extremely painful, just it can even warrant a trip to the veterinarian clinic. The veterinarian will use sedation and pain medications to pull the hangnail and and so bandage the foot to prevent infection in your canis familiaris's nail bed.

Dogs with long nails volition sometimes slip on hardwood or tile floors or walk gingerly to cope with the circumstances. Nail care is especially important in our older canine companions or pets with arthritis.

Keeping your dog'south nails at an acceptable length also protects y'all and your holding. Have y'all ever been scratched by your domestic dog afterward he jumps up on yous? Or have y'all seen the couch or other piece of furniture snag when your canis familiaris jumps off? Overgrown nails can also get defenseless on things causing your canis familiaris unnecessary pain.

How Long Should Domestic dog Nails Be?

Puppy sitting with face between paws and nails exposed

Dog's nails should extend enough to exist seen, simply should not get past the paw. If your dog has long pilus, you may non be able to easily meet the nails. But if the nails extend over the lesser of the manus pad you'll know your domestic dog'south nails are too long.

You can likewise look for the nail quick and use it as a guide for how brusk to trim your canis familiaris'due south nails. The blast quick houses nerves and blood supply. Hit the quick on your dog is painful and will cause him to bleed, so you don't want to cutting into the quick.

This is one reason why regular nail trims are important. When your pet's nails grow long, the quick of the nail grows with it. In these cases, information technology'southward easier to striking the quick and harder to trim the nails short again.

Extremely overgrown canis familiaris nails will curl over the paw. This is when pet parents should definitely consider a mani/pedi for their pup.

And don't forget virtually the dewclaw! The dewclaw, which sits upwardly higher on your dog's leg, also has a nail. Since it sits college up on the leg, the nail doesn't get worn down on pavement or walks like other nails. This is the smash that will usually curl over and needs to exist trimmed regularly.

E'er go on your dog's nails at an adequate length to prevent the quick from growing out and to go on your dog comfortable.

Signs Your Domestic dog's Nails Are Too Long

Close up of dog's paws outdoors on a bench

If you're wondering whether it'due south time for a trim, here are some signs that your canis familiaris's nails are too long.

Your Dog'southward Nails Are Scratching You

Your dog may paw at you when he wants attention, merely he shouldn't scratch y'all. If you are being scratched each fourth dimension your dog touches you, his nails are too long. At the correct length and when nails are filed down, yous shouldn't feel his nails.

Your Domestic dog'due south Nails Click on the Floor

Bulldog sitting on hardwood floor looking sad

Y'all can hear your canis familiaris walking around the house: If you take hardwood floors, the sounds of screeching or clicking nails on the forest are an indicator that it is fourth dimension for a smash trim. Your domestic dog should be able to walk effectually the house without his nails dragging on the floor.

Your Dog Looks Similar He'south Tip-Toeing

You may notice your domestic dog walking gingerly or "tip-toeing" with his nails on the ground and his paw elevated. This is a sign that his nails are extremely overgrown. Your domestic dog'south paws should ever be able to bear upon the basis when he is walking.

Your Dog's Nails Curl Over His Mitt

Dog paw with nails curled over

A canis familiaris'due south nails should sit right at the level of his paw. If they are crimper over his mitt or curling at all, it'due south time for a nail trim. This is peculiarly important for the dewclaw since it does not get worn down by regular walking.

Your Dog Slides on the Flooring

If your dog is sliding on the floor, his nails are probably causing a lot of instability. This usually happens when the nails are extremely overgrown, and his paw is not touching the ground for him to grip. His instability and sliding tin lead to other injuries such as a joint luxation or a hairline fracture.

Your Dog is Limping

If your dog seems to be walking gingerly or limping, check to see if his nails are at the appropriate length. He may exist in pain and is favoring one leg over another.

Your Canis familiaris Licks His Paws a Lot

Dog licking his paw

Your domestic dog may lick at his paws for a variety of reasons including hurting, but if you check his nails and they are too long, a trim might solve the problem.

Your Dog'southward Blast Bed is Carmine or Haemorrhage

If your dog is haemorrhage or has redness at his smash bed it could signal an infection. His nails may be overdue for a trim or in demand of some serious care.

What to Practice if Your Dog's Nails Are Also Long

Woman trimming nails of a dog

If your canis familiaris's nails are besides long you can always contact your veterinarian or groomer for a boom trim. This is specially important for dogs that don't like having their paws touched or are hard to handle during smash trims.

You can also exercise at-domicile blast trims using smash clippers or nail grinders. For at-home smash trims y'all'll want to exist sure you lot are using clippers that are appropriate for your dog's size or yous might cut off besides much of the smash besides quickly. You'll besides want to have a product called Kwik Terminate readily bachelor in case you striking the quick of the nail. This stops the bleeding in a timely manner.

One time you cut your dog's nails to the right length, taking your pup on longer walks or allowing him to spend more time running around outside will assist keep his nails filed down for longer periods of time between trims.