How to Make Dogs’ Nails Less Sharp: 5 Genius Ideas
Here are five practical tips on what you can do about your dog’s sharp nails.
When this lively pair of Laberdoodles come to Get Their Groom On Dog Salon we know we’re in for a laugh. When LouLou and Ollie visit we always make sure to de-shed the fur and pluck their ears.
LouLou and Ollie are Labradoodles who are brother and sister by blood and bond. They love to play ball, chase squirrels, swim in the pool, and see their pals at the dog park!! They love always are cuddling with each other. Kissing Mommy is by far their favorite activity!
I’ve Trimmed My Dog’s Claws. Why Are My Dog’s Nails Still Sharp?
All dogs, no matter the breed, have pretty sharp nails. That’s because the wild ancestors of your cute pup were fierce hunters who used claws for catching prey, climbing hills, and digging holes. At the same time, those dogs in the wild never needed to trim or dull their nails on purpose. Constantly moving around harsh surfaces gave the dogs a natural “pawdicure,” making the nails shorter and less sharp.
Modern domesticated dogs, on the other hand, have a completely different lifestyle. Even if you’ve got the trimming part nailed, your pet might still leave scratches on your skin when gently pawing you during the play.
So what causes your dog’s nails to be so sharp even after the clipping? Here are two main reasons:
Various dog breeds have different nails, so the nail-cutting equipment should differ.
For example, simple nail clippers are best for small breeds like Yorkshire terrier or Chihuahua with thinner nails. Guillotine-style clippers work best for medium-sized dogs but don’t work well for rigid nails. That being said, using a clipper will almost always leave sharp edges, especially if you’re not a professional groomer.
On top of that, not only does the size of your nail equipment matter but so does the blade quality. Dull or poor-quality blades can lead to sharp hangnails, jagged nail edges, or even crushed nails.
Relatively sedentary or older dogs who spend a lot of time inside walking on soft carpets simply don’t have the chance to wear down their nails and smooth out sharp edges after trimming. The same applies to dogs who spend a lot of time outside but run around soft surfaces such as lawns and dirt.
How to Trim Your Dog’s Nails at Home STEP BY STEP WITH TIPS
This article is a case of do what I say, not what I do because I’ve made a lot of mistakes when it comes to cutting my dog’s nails.
For the most part, My Dachshund’s nails are an ok length but they can easily get too long if I don’t cut them every week.
My Dog Gretel has back issues and, despite working with her for years, she fights me when I try to trim her nails to the point I worry I will injure her.
For years, I took her to someone else to trim her nails because she woulnd’ resist them as much.
I worked with her for over a year and have finally got to a place that she will let me trim her nails without too much protest.
Clearly, I’m no dog nail trimming expert. However, I get how important it is to keep a dog’s nails a proper length.
So, to provide some information about why it’s important not to let your dog’s nails get too long, and to give some tips for trimming a dog’s nails successfully, I’m going to turn it over to my dog-nail-expert friend Stephanie.