Have you ever sat holding your dog’s paw in one hand and the nail clippers in the other, questioning yourself before you make the first cut? Why does my dog seem to hate nail trims? Do nail trims hurt them? What’s going to happen if I don’t trim their nails?
If this seems familiar, don’t worry. Nail trims don’t hurt your dog any more than they hurt you. When done correctly, they’re perfectly safe. They’re also necessary, because trimming your dog’s nails helps keep their feet healthy.
What’s Really Happening When You Trim a Dog’s Nails?
Your dog’s nails are made of keratin, the same protein that makes up your own nails.
When you trim the hard outer part of the nail and stay clear of the quick (which contains nerves and blood vessels) your dog shouldn’t feel anything more than a little pressure. It shouldn’t bother them any more than it bothers you to trim your own toenails. If the nails are trimmed too close to the quick, they can feel a quick pinch or moment of pressure, but they’re not actually in pain.
Recently, there was an ad circulating on YouTube claiming that nail clippers were causing “microfractures” in a dog’s toe bones. The ad used AI-generated images of x-rays, and its claims were quickly debunked, because they were not supported by any veterinary evidence.
But since the average person doesn’t know what an x-ray of a dog’s foot actually looks like, the ad had a lot of people fooled. All we can say is, don’t worry! If clipping really did damage a dog’s toe bones, we would have known about it well before now, because we would have seen it on x-rays during diagnostic exams.
Why Does My Dog Act Like Nail Trimming Is Painful?
Not all dogs like getting their nails trimmed. In fact, most of them seem to hate it! They have to sit still, let you handle their sensitive paws, and put up with the scary nail trimmers.
All it takes is one bad experience to make nail trimming a dreaded chore. Your dog suddenly tries to jerk their paw away, you catch the quick, and the nail starts to bleed. They might avoid nail trims after an incident like that because they’re expecting to feel pain.
The solution isn’t avoiding nail trims, it’s about using the right tools and techniques.
Using sharp trimmers in the correct size should prevent any discomfort. If the clippers are dull, they could end up tearing the nail instead. Think of it like cutting through a piece of cardboard with sharp scissors versus dull ones. Sharp scissors make a nice, clean cut while dull ones squeeze and tear.
You also need to make sure you’re holding the clippers correctly, so that you’re squeezing the hinged side, not the stationary side. Holding them the wrong way can damage your dog’s nails even if the clippers are sharp.
Are Nail Grinders Better Than Nail Clippers?
Nail grinders are often marketed as a “friction-free” alternative to clippers, but that’s a bit misleading. Nail grinders are not better or safer than clippers. Instead, it’s about which tool your dog tolerates best and can be most relaxed around.
Grinders still create friction, but they do offer a slower, smoother motion and less vibration when used gently. This can be helpful for anxious dogs or for smoothing out rough edges after you’ve used the clippers. However, some nail grinders produce high-pitched noises that might hurt your dog’s ears and make them dislike the process.
Training Your Dog to Like Nail Trims
If your pup isn’t a fan of nail trims, it’s okay. Like most things, it just takes time and positive associations. Most dogs don’t love having their paws touched, but if you make it a daily habit, they won’t think twice about it. Start slowly by building trust through handling their paws during relaxed moments.
Then, introduce the tools. You don’t have to dive right in and start using them, but let them sniff and be around them, and reward them with their favorite treats. Build up to trimming their nails, and if they become anxious, stop. Forcing a nail trim will only cause negative associations and more anxiety. Take it slowly, and reward them for each step of the way.
What Happens If You Don’t Trim Your Dog’s Nails?
Some people believe that a dog’s nails can be kept under control naturally. They say that the friction from walking on pavement or running on gravel trails naturally wears the nails down. But the truth is, if you can hear your dog’s nails clicking on the floor, they’re affecting the way your dog walks. And if you notice the nails starting to curve, then they need to be trimmed.
If you don’t trim your dog’s nails, it can lead to future issues like:
- Broken nails
- Ingrown nails
- Joint stress
- Mobility problems
- Limping
- Arthritis
Even if you take your dog on walks every day, it’s still important to keep their nails trimmed. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, take your dog to a veterinary clinic or a reputable groomer who can do it for you.
Keeping Your Dog Healthy from Nose to Toes
Trimming your dog’s toenails is an important part of keeping them healthy. But depending on the dog, sometimes it can be a real chore. We can demonstrate the best way to trim your dog’s nails at their next wellness exam, and give you some nail-trimming tips based on your dog’s personality and behavior.
If your dog is due for a checkup, contact LazyPaw Animal Hospitals and we’ll get an appointment scheduled right away.
Photo by Miles Amann on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 1/9/26.