Why is regular clawl care important? Here are 5 great reasons!

I know how easy it is — days go by, and suddenly days turn into weeks before you remember claw care.
It’s easy to think that dogs wear their nails down naturally, and that it’s not a big deal if the nails are a bit long. But the truth is, there are many good reasons to keep a close eye on nail length.

Here are 5 good reasons why regular nail trimming or filing is so important:

1. Reduced strain on the toe joints
   When nails are kept short, they don’t get pushed up against the toe when the dog walks.

During the rollover phase — when the toe is pressed down toward the ground as the dog takes a step forward — long nails can create increased pressure on the small toe joints. Over time, this can potentially lead to mild soreness and, in the worst case, the development of osteoarthritis.

2. Better tendon function and grip
   A dog’s nails naturally point slightly downward toward the ground so the dog can grip with its toes and get good traction.
   

When nails become too long, they begin to point more and more forward. This can lead to:

• Overstretching and overloading of the toe tendons on the underside
• Reduced elasticity in the tendons on the top of the toes
• Reduced ability to “dig in” for grip
• Increased risk of slipping

This can potentially contribute to toe tendon issues such as injuries, inflammation, and similar problems.

3. Disrupted movement pattern
   Long nails make it take longer to roll through each step.
   Imagine walking in shoes with extremely long toe boxes — or wearing swim fins. Your steps become longer, and both the loading phase and the rollover phase last longer than normal.
   

This affects the dog’s biomechanics (movement pattern) and the way it moves, which can in turn place excessive strain on the entire body.

4. Increased risk of injury in terrain
   Long nails are more likely to catch on the ground, especially in forests and uneven terrain.
   

Sudden turns or twisting movements with long nails can lead to:

• Fractures or cracks
• Twisting injuries
• Soft tissue injuries in the toes

5. Cold exposure and paw injuries in winter
   During winter, long nails conduct cold more easily. Dogs that are already sensitive to cold — and really all dogs in very low temperatures — may freeze more easily or develop frost injuries to their paws.

For those of you who work with dogs
Whether you work with training or treatment:
This knowledge is incredibly valuable to share.
When you see a dog with long nails, owners are usually far more receptive to logical explanations than to reprimands.

I hope you either gained some new knowledge — or simply the motivation to check and care for your dog’s nails regularly 🐾