Post by prosephone on Sept 18, 2006 5:41:52 GMT
Nail Care
Most dogs wear down their toenails by activity such as walking and running. It they are indoor pets, like most Chihuahuas are, they wear them down enough naturally. If this is the case, they can grow to become extremely long and damage carpets and furniture. They can also splay the toes and interfere with traction by preventing the foot pads from making contact with the ground if they become excessively long. Long toenails should be trimmed.
In this diagram, you can see the internal view of a dog's toenails. Within the nail is a segment called "The Quick". The quick is made up of tiny blood vessels and nerve endings.
For many pet owners, trimming the nails can be a fearful experience, not only for their beloved pets, but for themselves as well. The reason this is so is because many times, they accidentally, cut into the quick which causes the the dog to experience a bit of pain and the nail tends to bleed for a long time. If nails are trimmed twice a month, the quick actually recedes toward the base of the nail and the nail will remain permanently shorter.
Dogs with Dewclaws must have these nails looked at frequently. Dewclaws are remnants of the 5th toe and are found high on the inside of each foot. Since these nails don't come in contact with the ground, they can grow around in a circle. If left unclipped, it can eventually pierce the skin and set up the dog for a bad infection. It is important to get your puppy use to having his nails trimmed, even though trimming may not yet be necessary.
Most dogs wear down their toenails by activity such as walking and running. It they are indoor pets, like most Chihuahuas are, they wear them down enough naturally. If this is the case, they can grow to become extremely long and damage carpets and furniture. They can also splay the toes and interfere with traction by preventing the foot pads from making contact with the ground if they become excessively long. Long toenails should be trimmed.
In this diagram, you can see the internal view of a dog's toenails. Within the nail is a segment called "The Quick". The quick is made up of tiny blood vessels and nerve endings.
For many pet owners, trimming the nails can be a fearful experience, not only for their beloved pets, but for themselves as well. The reason this is so is because many times, they accidentally, cut into the quick which causes the the dog to experience a bit of pain and the nail tends to bleed for a long time. If nails are trimmed twice a month, the quick actually recedes toward the base of the nail and the nail will remain permanently shorter.
Dogs with Dewclaws must have these nails looked at frequently. Dewclaws are remnants of the 5th toe and are found high on the inside of each foot. Since these nails don't come in contact with the ground, they can grow around in a circle. If left unclipped, it can eventually pierce the skin and set up the dog for a bad infection. It is important to get your puppy use to having his nails trimmed, even though trimming may not yet be necessary.