Dogs nails

hillysuze

If a dog's nails get too long, can it hurt them?
Lola's nails are getting really long and was going to get them trimmed this weekend but thanks to half an inch of freezing rain, I cancelled the appointment. She's seeing the vet on Feb 1 and I asked them to do it then.

She's been running around the house like normal (hardwood and carpet) and outside in the snow and doens't appear to be sore or anything but I'm curious.

SPK926

Yes, nails that are too long can hurt a dog. They may not be hurting her now, it's hard for me to know. Often we get dogs in that have nails that are so long they have curled around and are "poking" the paw pad. Obviously that hurts. Typically what I tell people is if your dog is walking on a hard surface and you can hear all their nails "clink" as they walk, that tells you they are too long and to get them trimmed. If they aren't super long and don't seem to be bothering her then she's probably fine waiting until February 1st.

callitcompulsive

SPK926:

Yes, nails that are too long can hurt a dog. They may not be hurting her now, it's hard for me to know. Often we get dogs in that have nails that are so long they have curled around and are "poking" the paw pad. Obviously that hurts. Typically what I tell people is if your dog is walking on a hard surface and you can hear all their nails "clink" as they walk, that tells you they are too long and to get them trimmed. If they aren't super long and don't seem to be bothering her then she's probably fine waiting until February 1st.

+1

OP, have you tried to trim nails yourself? Save yourself a trip + money?  

hillysuze

callitcompulsive:

SPK926:

Yes, nails that are too long can hurt a dog. They may not be hurting her now, it's hard for me to know. Often we get dogs in that have nails that are so long they have curled around and are "poking" the paw pad. Obviously that hurts. Typically what I tell people is if your dog is walking on a hard surface and you can hear all their nails "clink" as they walk, that tells you they are too long and to get them trimmed. If they aren't super long and don't seem to be bothering her then she's probably fine waiting until February 1st.

+1

OP, have you tried to trim nails yourself? Save yourself a trip + money?  

I haven't because it makes me nervous. She has the white nails so I know where to trim but since I never done it, I'm afraid of hurting her.

YellowUmbrella

Look up some videos about using a dremel to trim dog nails - that's what we do. You don't have to worry about cutting too short and it leaves them nice and smooth.