Avoid Dog Stress: How to Trim Your Anxious Dog’s Nails the Right Way

No pet owner would want to see their dog stressed. And if there's anything you can do to prevent these agonizing moments, you will, right? Unfortunately, some basic yet essential pet grooming activities like nail trimming can make your furry friend uncomfortable and stressed. Because you love your dog so much, you might want to skip such activities to avoid these stressful moments.

But that's not the right way to go about it. The best way is to learn to perform the routine without worrying your canine friend.

For instance, if you're trimming their nails, find a way to reduce the anxiety and stress. In this post, we show you how to trim your anxious dog's nails without distressing them.

Why Does Trimming Dog Nails Important?

You might ask, if trimming my dog's nails will leave them tormented, why should I do it? Nail trimming is an essential part of dog grooming that helps your canine friend stay happy and healthy. Left untrimmed, the nails could grow too long, causing pain and triggering irreversible damage to the pet.

When we talk about the damage a dog's nails can cause, many people think of carpet snags, scratches on hardwood floors, and claw marks on furniture. While this is true, long nails could harm the animal.

A pet lover will think of a splayed foot, deformed feet, reduced traction, and injured tendons. When the long nails hit the ground, they put more force on the dog's foot and leg structure, potentially leading to arthritis and ongoing pain.

Moreover, dogs' nails often grow curved. So if left untrimmed, the claws will curve under the animal's paws, digging into the skin. This will cause pain, especially when your furry friend walks.

Nail trimming is particularly crucial if your dog spends most of the time indoors. This is because dogs are less active indoors and typically walk on soft surfaces. Therefore, their nails won't wear down naturally.

What You Should Know When You Trim Your Dog’s Nails

While some dog owners will call professional groomers to trim their puppy's nails, you don't always have to because it's a simple procedure.

Want to try it out? Here are some tips for you.

Get Your Furry Friend Accustomed to Nail Trimming

Nail trimming can make your dog anxious and distressed. However, if you start handling your dog's feet and trimming their nails when they're still young, they might get used to it, and it won't be a problem for you and them when they grow.

Remember, a dog's nails and paws are highly sensitive. That's why they are always anxious when you try to touch, leave alone clip or trim them.

Moreover, you must get your canine friend accustomed to seeing nail clippers. For instance, you can hold the clippers often around the dog.

Going Slow Will Avoid Dog Stress

Don't just buy a pair of clippers and start trimming your dog's nails. Instead, go slow until they can tolerate having their paws touched.

Start by touching the dog's shoulder, then move slowly to its paws. As you do this, focus on your dog's reaction. If they feel comfortable, proceed with what you're doing. Stop and give the puppy time to calm down if they seem anxious or scared.

You should also open and close the clippers, so the dog gets used to them.

Sharpen the Clipper Blades More Often

Dull blades can make the trimming process painful and more stressful for your canine friend. Therefore, you must regularly sharpen your clipper blades to make the trimming easier. This will also reduce the time you need to clip and trim your dog's nails.

Conclusion

Trimming your dog's nails can cause anxiety and stress to your furry friend, mainly if they are not accustomed to the practice.

But this doesn't excuse you from grooming your dog. Start the process when your dog is still young to make it less stressful. Also, ensure you sharpen your clippers regularly.

Most importantly, you must learn to recognize and combat your dog's anxiety.