Importance of Nail Upkeep
Why is nail care for dogs essential?
A canine’s nails serve a purpose. Anyone who has a furry buddy that consistently digs in the same spot in the yard knows that dogs have an innate instinct to dig for treasure. They could also be making a den for themselves to cool off in on a hot day. As well, a dog’s claws allow them to grip their toys or hold a tasty treat.
The nails also provide traction for your companion, for running up hills alongside you when out for a run. If you allow your dog’s nails to become too long, you risk them experiencing a deep tear or broken nail. The natural sense of balance can be offset as well if the claws are not maintained at the proper length. Additionally, long nails will sometimes curl under and irritate the pad of the foot.
How often should you get nails serviced?
We recommend a consistent nail care schedule. For most dogs it is recommended every 6-8 weeks. With dogs requiring haircuts, this typically falls nicely into their Grooming appointments anyway. But with shorter coated breeds, we tend to forget so it’s best to schedule them every 3-4 weeks.
Clipping Dog Nails - Clipping vs. Grinding
Clipping Dog Nails: what it is
There are two types of tools for those who prefer to clip. The guillotine clipper has a round hole (which the nail fits into nicely) with a blade that crosses through it to produce a quick and precise cut. This tool allows for snipping your dog’s nails at a steady and even pace but does not always work well on thick claws. This tool can sometimes causes your pooch to feel pressure on the nail. If you have to use force, then this is not the proper clipper for the job.
Scissor-type clippers can be more efficient for trimming nails that are dense and strong. As with the guillotine tool, using them requires a steady hand. One has to watch out for the quick of the nail (the section near the top where the blood vessels are) because if you nick that, your dog may associate nail trimming with pain. Using a small scissor as opposed to a large one can give you optimum control. Make sure they are sharp, not dull.
The benefit of using the clipping method to trim your pup’s nails is that if they are of the fearful type, you can quickly trim one or two claws, praise them and give a treat for good behavior, and then trim another nail or two later in the day or even the next. There is nothing to set up for the procedure.
Grinding Dog Nails: What it is
Some pet owners prefer to use a grinding tool, such as the nail Dremel for dogs. This method of trimming can be quite effective, although using a grinder necessitates doing the job more often. But, many dogs are quite relaxed around the tool. Investigating this method may prove the same for your furry companion. Before investing in a nail Dremel for dogs, talk to others who use that method, and ask their opinion on the best rotary tool for dog nails.
A grinding tool can give a smoother finish to the nail than the clipper and works well on thick nails. When working with dogs that have black nails, there is less chance of hitting the quick because owners feel that they have more control in the trimming process. It is slower than clipping, and some dogs do not like the vibration of the tool. An important thing to know is that the Dremel heats up and can make the nail hot, causing pain if you are not careful.
There is a bit more set-up for a grinding session than with a clipping tool. You will want to have the grinder charged up or plugged in and placed in an area where your dog feels relaxed, such as on a comfy mat in the sun. Have scissors there as well in case you need to cut the fur around the nails. Catching long fur in the rotating attachment will have your dog afraid of the tool for life. Watch out for the pad of the feet, too.
What is best?
In our view, the advantage of grinding vs. clipping is how the high-speed filing makes it easy to round off the tip of the nail, whereas clipping often leaves sharp edges. If your dog tends to paw at people for attention, this can be problematic until the nails naturally wear down into a more rounded shape.
