Routine wellness exams and good nutrition are the cornerstones for your dog’s health over their lifetime, but proper grooming is an avenue that is often overlooked for its impact on your pet’s health and vitality. For example, both nail trimming and regular brushing are often thought of as cosmetic when, in fact, their health implications are much broader. Both nail trimming and brushing are directly related to your dog’s musculoskeletal health, skin health, and overall comfort for daily living. Neglecting these two simple aspects can result in significant health issues and increased medical care costs.

As pet owners, we often only notice a pet’s nails when we get pawed or scratched or hear nails clicking across the floor. A dog’s nails grow continuously and if your pet is not active on rough surfaces, the nails do not wear down sufficiently. 

What happens when your pet’s nails are too long? There are a number of clinical ways that long nails create bigger health issues, including:

  • Altered Gait and Joint Stress: Long nails change the way a dog places weight on its paws. This can lead to abnormal posture, compensatory movement, and strain on joints, predisposing to conditions such as arthritis or chronic musculoskeletal pain.

  • Pain and Lameness: Pressure on the nail bed causes discomfort, which may result in limping or reluctance to exercise.

  • Trauma and Infection: Overgrown nails are more prone to breaking, splitting, or tearing, which exposes the quick and creates a route for bacterial infection.

  • Embedded Nails: In severe cases, nails may curl and grow into the paw pads, leading to ulcerations, abscesses, and secondary infections.

Your dog’s nails should be trimmed every 3-4 weeks, although that timeframe can vary by breed, activity level, and the environment in which your pet interacts. Mostly indoor dogs or those who spend time on soft ground and grass may need more trims than those that walk predominantly on pavement. Keeping up with your dog’s nail trims will help avoid these more significant issues.

Regular Brushing

Brushing is often undervalued as a healthcare practice, but it is fundamental to maintaining healthy skin and coat. Not only will regular brushing help with shedding and the number of times you may be vacuuming your house, brushing stimulates circulation and distributes your dog’s natural oils across their skin and fur. 

Some significant health benefits of regular brushing include:

  • Prevention of Matting: Mats in the fur create constant skin tension, which can be painful and restrict normal movement. They may also trap moisture and debris, creating an environment conducive to bacterial or fungal infections.

  • Improved Skin and Coat Condition: Brushing distributes sebum, the natural oil produced by the skin, which promotes a healthy, shiny coat and prevents dryness.

  • Reduction of Shedding and Allergens: Regular brushing removes loose fur and dander, reducing environmental allergens within the household.

  • Early Detection of Health Concerns: Grooming sessions allow owners to detect dermatological problems such as ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, mites), hot spots, wounds, or abnormal growths before they progress.

We strongly recommend that you establish a regular brushing routine, using a slicker brush, to regularly groom your dog to achieve these benefits.

Basic grooming practices like nail trims and brushing can go a long way towards keeping your pet feeling well and maintaining good health. Our veterinary care team can provide nail trimming with standard clippers or dremel nail file/functional nail trimming at Longevity Veterinary Center. Nail trims are also included with our regular dog grooming. We are always here to assist you and your pet to help achieve the best possible health outcomes.