Searching “dog nail trimming” on Google reveals a plethora of information. Most of it focuses on our reluctance to routinely trim nails because of unruly animals or the fear of cutting into the quick. Dr. Karen Gellman reminds us that long toenails have consequences on the pet:
- Long toenails cause painful feet
- Overgrown nails often create an abnormal compensatory posture resembling a goat-on-a-rock
- The goat-on-a-rock position forces the animal to stand with hind legs camped-in as if climbing a hill
Source: Dogs Naturally, March 2018. (Link)
Cutting toenails short can be like a miracle cure for a dog whose hind end has become painful, weak and over-used, writes Gellman. Short toenails are critical to your dog’s health and soundness.
Also see: Search results for dog nails, Animal Health Digest. (Link)
Compromising a dog’s weight distribution and natural alignment can leave dogs more susceptible to injuries and make walking and running difficult and painful. This is especially important in older dogs, whose posture can be dramatically improved by cutting back neglected nails.
INSIGHTS: All three articles emphasize the importance of nail trimming to improve dog comfort. They contain important information for all animal health pros to share.