Nail length guide

SO HOW SHORT SHOULD YOUR DOGGO’S NAILS BE?

If you start hearing your pup’s claws tapping on the floor every time they take a step, then that’s usually the main sign that it’s time to give those nails a trim.
Your dogs nails should just be off the ground when standing up. One of the most common foot issues in domestic dogs is long toenails. Ideally, the nails should not touch the ground when standing on a firm level surface, but are long enough to provide traction when climbing a hill or digging. In a dog with long nails, the neurologic signals from the toenail touching the ground are interpreted by the brain as an inclined ground surface. This abnormal compensatory posture results in excess weight shifting onto the hind legs, overloading those joints.

When the toenails are excessively long, the quick grows longer, too. The goal is to remove the protective long nail so that the quick will recede.

Getting into the habit of nail trimming early in life is not only a good habit for any dog owner, but can also prevent arthritis and mobility issues in the long term!