Click-clack, click-clack! It’s a sound that many of us may have heard whenever our dogs walk or run across any surface that isn’t carpeted. If you have hardwood, your first thought might be, I hope he didn’t scratch my floors! But instead of worrying about that, maybe your first thought should be, is it time to clip my dog’s nails?
The answer is probably yes. For many dogs, when their claws are so long that you can hear them tap-tap-tapping across any hard surface in the house, it’s often a sign that their nails are too long. And when they're left to grow, long nails can do more damage to your dog than they can to your floors.
If nails get too long, over time that can cause your dog's paws to splay. They can also force your dog to change the way they stand, walk or run, causing discomfort with every step. Long term, overgrown nails can lead to arthritis and tendonitis in their feet, legs and back.
No one wants to put their dog through that kind of pain. And why should you, when the solution is simple? Regular trimming of their nails will help keep your dog pain-free and healthy. With the right tools and the right approach, you can do it yourself in your own home — and save those floors from unnecessary wear and tear at the same time.