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Factors That Affect How Frequently You Should Cut Your Dog's Nails

The Ruff Life • June 3, 2022

One of the things your dogs don’t enjoy is having their nails cut. However, it’s necessary that you do. If you’re struggling with cutting your dog’s nails, here’s something you need to know—how often should you really be cutting their nails? 


The Frequency Matters


Cutting your dog’s nails frequently isn’t good because this will cause their nails to recede quickly. Do it every week or at least every other week for better results. Not only will this cause less stress to your dog, but you also save yourself from the stress.


Other Factors That Affect the Frequency of Dog Nail Cutting


There are other factors that could affect how frequent you should cut your dog's nails, such are:


The Type of Surface they Spend Most of Their Time On


Nails will naturally grow as a dog spends more time on hard surfaces, such as concrete and wood floors. If you’re spending most of your time on indoor surfaces, such as rugs or carpets, their nails will grow slower.


The Activities They Do


Dogs who like to engage in running, jumping, and running also have a higher chance of growing their nails faster. The more active they are, the more they will be putting pressure on their nails. They will also need to be cut quicker.


What They Eat


It’s important to take note of what your dog’s diet is composed of. If their diet lacks calcium, they will have problems with their nails. This is because calcium is important in the production of nails. If they don’t have enough calcium, their nails won’t grow properly.


Some Health Conditions They May Have


Certain health conditions affect the growth of your dog’s nails. If they have conditions such as arthritis, it will be difficult for their nails to grow well.


How Long Should You Cut Them?


If you’re going to cut them with clippers and scissors, you must trim the tips of their nails to avoid them hitting the ground. When cutting with these tools, set them at an angle and slowly trim them until the point is aligned with the bottom of their nail.


If you’re going to grind them with a grinder, it’s best to set them at a straight position. Make sure you don’t make the nails too short to avoid them getting ingrown.


What To Do if You Cut Your Dog's Nails Too Short


If you end up cutting your dog’s nails too short, don’t panic. You can use styptic powder to stop the bleeding. If their nail is very short, you can apply styptic powder on the tip. Make sure you do this immediately to avoid bleeding.


However, if the nail is very close to the quick, you’re going to need to apply pressure with a clean cloth. If you don’t have any styptic powder, you can also use corn starch.


If you notice that your dog is having problems with their nails or they’re bleeding a lot, it’s best to take them to the vet to avoid them getting worse.


The Ruff Life Mobile


Cutting your dog’s nails isn’t something you can avoid. As much as they hate it, you need to do it. If you’re struggling with this, you should follow the factors we’ve mentioned earlier. Doing this will make it easier for you to cut their nails and make them feel less stressed.


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