Nail trimming is the grooming task most dog owners skip or put off — and one of the most important for long-term health. Overgrown nails aren’t just uncomfortable; they change the mechanics of how your dog stands and moves, and over time that can cause real joint and posture problems. Here’s what Long Island dog owners should know about keeping nails at the right length.
What Overgrown Nails Actually Do
When a dog’s nails are too long, they make contact with the ground before the paw is properly loaded. To compensate, the dog shifts weight backward, changing the alignment of the toes, pasterns, and eventually the hips and spine. In older dogs, this can accelerate arthritis. In younger dogs, it can cause chronic low-grade pain that owners often attribute to other causes.
You can tell nails are too long if you can hear clicking on hard floors when the dog walks. Properly trimmed nails should clear the floor when the dog stands naturally. The quick — the blood vessel inside the nail — grows longer when nails are allowed to get long, which makes trimming harder and more uncomfortable. Regular trimming keeps the quick receded and trimming sessions shorter and less stressful.
How Often and What to Expect
Most dogs need nail trims every four to six weeks. Very active dogs who walk on concrete regularly may go longer between trims because pavement files the nails naturally. Indoor dogs and dogs who primarily walk on grass or sand may need more frequent attention. Black nails are harder to trim safely because the quick isn’t visible — this is one reason many owners prefer to have a professional handle nail trims rather than risk a painful quick cut at home.
Every Zoomin Groomin appointment includes a nail trim. Mobile grooming on Long Island — book now at (631) 801-4801.
