By Sarah Darling
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31 Jan, 2021
Of course, not all dogs need their nails trimmed! Dogs that spend a good deal of time outdoors on various hard surfaces, such as concrete, their nails are gradually worn down, therefore have less of a need for nail-grooming sessions. But with many dogs increasingly confined to indoors when their owners are at work, & spending their days running mostly on soft surfaces such as carpet and a lawn garden, this welcome friction is often absent in their daily lives. Dogs use their nails for traction & balance when walking or running. If their nails are left too long they can lead to injuries & issues that can cause pain & discomfort. This is not only just in their feet, but their whole body due to compensatory adaptations due to offloading from their discomfort. When nails are so long & constantly touch the ground, they exert force back into the nail bed, creating pressure on the toe joint (imagine wearing a shoe that’s too-tight) Also changes to the biomechanics of the digits could lead to arthritis in the toes.