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Like humans, a dog's nails grow continuously. All dogs need their nails trimmed regularly. If allowed to grow too long, they can snag on carpet or furniture, causing serious injury.
"Long nails tend to break, and then you can get a split toenail," said Dr. Grace A. Mengel, assistant professor of clinical primary care medicine at University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. "It's a common emergency-room scenario: The nail splits, it's hanging on by a thread, and it's bleeding. The pet owners come into the ER, where we end up removing the nail. I used to call it the $150 nail trim. It's a good incentive to keep their nails in good condition because they might be less likely to break."
Too-long nails can also cause the feet to splay out, making it difficult for your dog to walk properly and maintain traction on the floor. Also, because most dog nails curve down, the nail can begin to curl back toward the paw as it grows. In severe cases, the nail can grow right into the skin on the paw pad, causing pain and infection.
If you have never trimmed a dog's nails, you might feel nervous or intimidated. Remember, you can always ask your veterinarian or groomer to show you how to do it. Most veterinary staff and groomers are happy to provide a quick lesson.
Here's how to trim a dog's nails step by step and what you need to do it:Read the original article on Insider