Maintaining claws means focusing on support and "feet".
Our expert Pauline MIGNOT explains why.
It's well known in equestrianism that "no feet, no horse," and for humans, we regularly consult podiatrists for pathologies or for athletes.
Dogs have a horizontal balance with a slightly higher weight distribution on their front end. The claw therefore has a close link with the dog's support, the conformation of its paw, and its overall posture. Claw maintenance is essential and often neglected.
An essential interest, however, for:
- The elderly dog:
Indeed, overly long claws are often associated with a complete weight shift to the front, deformed & arthritic toes, neurological & proprioceptive deficits, and therefore do not truly help the dog in its gait, its support, and even more so on slippery surfaces.
- The growing puppy
Indeed, they are directly linked to the dog's conformation and can play an important role in juvenile joint pathologies. This work should ideally be done from birth.
- The sport dog
For the quality of its support and its good balance, and to avoid "silly accidents": claws cut or torn during sports activities, especially on certain surfaces. This is why we ask you never to cut too much at once but only a few millimeters to avoid touching the quick, and also not to modify the posture and angulations too abruptly, which would be counterproductive for the dog.
Some tips to try and achieve good quality, well-maintained claws:
- Regularly monitor their length
- Observe the length and shape of the claws, and on white claws, where the quick is located
- Train and accustom the dog to nail care so that it is calm, relaxed, and you can be precise in cutting.
- Keep claws short, trimmed, or filed very regularly according to needs, for example every 3 to 6 weeks.
- If using clippers, cut correctly with the right angle and in the right place.
- Use a file
- Avoid having the dog exert intense physical effort within 48 hours before cutting.
Trimming becomes more complex for owners whose dogs have black claws and therefore cannot see the quick.
If they make a mistake, the dog bleeds impressively, and it can be painful, even if it poses no danger.
However, by observing carefully, we can find other reference points that still allow us to trim the claws. Of course, in case of doubt, the solution is to trim by a few millimeters very regularly. You can always ask your veterinarian if you don't feel ready to trim your pet's claws.
You will find perfectly illustrated information in a publication by Areg Animal Care:
Finally, don't forget that the quality of the horn, nail, and claw is also determined by nutrition, which must be perfectly balanced, assimilated with quality nutrients and manufacturing processes.
Supplementation with certain trace elements and vitamins can also be considered, such as our " Coat and Paw Pads " treatment containing: brewer's yeast, marine collagen, burdock, vitamins B5 and B6, and zinc, of course. Give him the treatment he deserves.
