Does your canine pal make scratching noises when he crosses the floor? If so, your four-legged buddy may need a pawdicure! Read on as a local Michigan City, IN vet discusses clipping Fido’s claws.

Dangers of Overgrown Nails

Long nails may not seem like a big problem at first, but they actually can be quite painful for Fido. If your furry friend’s claws are too long, he may splay his toes or adjust his gait to compensate. Over time, this can put a lot of strain on your dog’s bones and joints. Overgrown nails can also make it hard for your canine buddy to get good traction on slippery ground. They can also split or tear, which can lead to infections.

Clipping Tips

Many people are nervous about giving their dogs manicures. You may know that if you cut too close, you’ll cut into the quick, which is where Fido’s nerves and blood vessels end. This can be painful for your pooch, and can cause bleeding. One way to avoid this is to use clippers that have sensors in them. This will take the guesswork out of the process. If you use regular clippers, ask your vet to demonstrate proper techniques. That said, it’s a good idea to keep a styptic pen on hand, just in case. Remember, you don’t have to do all four of your dog’s paws at once. Just do one at a time, and keep rotating. Of course, you can also just contact us to set up a quick nail trim appointment.

Helpful Hack

Does your pet run and hide when he suspects it’s time for a pawdicure? Change Fido’s opinion of having his nails done by teaching him that he’ll get a yummy snack for giving you his paw. Once your pup has this figured out, start holding his paw a little longer. Then, run clippers over his nails, but don’t cut them. Instead, just give him a treat and let go. Doing this regularly between nail trims will help your canine friend form a positive impression of his pawdicures. Also, make sure to give your furry buddy a special treat and some ear scritches after you clip his nails.

Do you need to schedule a nail trim for your pet? Call us! As your Michigan City, IN pet hospital, we are here to serve all of your pet’s veterinary care needs.