Why do dogs eat nail clippings?
Many dogs see nail clippings as a source of food and, given that many clippings, particularly those that come from feet, will have a strong odour, the attraction is that much stronger.
It is difficult to say why some dogs will eat clippings and others show no interest, as with most things dogs are individuals that, like humans, have different preferences and, in this case, tastes.
Dogs cannot really tell what they should or should not eat and, if it smells good or interesting, then it’s likely that he will eat it – nails are no exception to this.
Why does my dog eat my nails?
Your nails are very like a dog’s nails.
Once again, it’s hard to get into a dog’s mind. But it’s likely that a dog will eat nails for the same reason it will eat claws. One, it smells and tastes good. Your nails taste like everything that you’ve touched. That includes any food that you prepared, and it includes you, yourself. While your dog doesn’t likely want to eat you, you probably taste salty. Most animals are going to do whatever they can to consume enough salt; salt is vital to life, but in the wild, it’s pretty rare.
The other likelihood is that your dog simply sees something drop to the floor and assumes it’s edible. The truth is that fingernails don’t just smell and taste like salt; they also look a lot like crumbs. If you have one of those dogs that’s predisposed toward trying to consume everything it can, it shouldn’t be overly surprising to you when it tries to eat your fingernails and toenails, too.
How Are Dog’s Nails Different From People’s?
Before we start discussing nails, it’s important to know how dog nails differ from human nails.
Both dog and people nails are made up of keratin and contain minerals. Dog nails are thicker and stronger than people’s nails. In the picture below from Animal Trust, you can also see how dog nails have a long quick inside of them.
This quick or live tissue area is the part that will bleed when nails are cut too short! If you’ve ever given too good of a nail trim, you’ve probably seen this for yourself.
Now that we understand the anatomy of a dog nail better, we can start to find out why your pet wants to eat them!
Claws vs. nails – Matthew Borths
When you trim your dog’s nails, do you have a hard time keeping them away from the clippings?
You’re not alone! It’s not unheard of for dogs to want to eat their nails. Actually, some owners would even describe this behavior as an obsession of their furry friends. Even though this is a common behavior, it’s always important to understand why your dog might be doing this!
Often, dogs eat their nail clippings because they smell too good to resist. It’s also possible that dogs eat their nails because they have a nutritional deficiency, or they suffer from Pica. Maybe your dog is just chewing on the nails and not even eating them!
We will try to figure out what’s going on with your dog and why they are eating their own nails!