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Nail length might be a stylistic choice for humans, but dogs don’t have quite the same range of options. Keeping your dog’s nails appropriately short is essential to keeping them healthy. If you’re like most pet parents, though, you might not be sure of how often to trim your dog’s nails.
Most dogs need a nail trim every 1 to 2 months, but that timeline can vary from based on age, activity, and living environment. To better understand how often to trim your dog’s nails, we spoke with Dr. Jo Myers, veterinarian at Vetster.
Schedule for Dog Nail Trims
Most dogs need a nail trim as part of their grooming every 4 to 8 weeks. Different dogs’ nails grow at different rates, and some dogs wear down their nails through regular activity. Here is an estimate for how these factors impact how frequently your dog’s nails need to be trimmed:
| Age & Environment | Trim Schedule |
| Puppies | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Active dogs | 4 to 6 weeks |
| City dogs | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Country dogs | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Seniors | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Big dogs | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Small dogs | 2 to 4 weeks |
Active dogs who spend a lot of time walking, running, or hiking on hard surfaces tend to wear down their nails more quickly than more sedentary dogs. That means they need trims less frequently, typically every 4 to 6 weeks.
City or suburban dogs that regularly walk on rough pavement also naturally grind their nails down day to day and can get away with less frequent trims.
By contrast, country dogs, even those that are super active, often need monthly or even bi-weekly nail trims. Their grass- or dirt-covered walks don’t wear down their nails.
Unsurprisingly, puppy nails grow at a faster rate than those of an adult dog. They might require a trim every week or two weeks. Regular trims also train a puppy to tolerate having their feet touched. The more you get your paws on their claws when they’re little, the easier it will be to manage their nails when they’re grown up.
Senior dogs are often less mobile and active than younger pups. That means that their nails are less likely to be worn down by walking surfaces. They typically need a trim every couple weeks. Close monitoring is also important, since overgrown nails can make it harder for a senior pup to walk and reduce traction dangerously.
Big dogs tend to need less frequent trims than small dogs, Dr. Myers points out, since they put more pressure on their nails when they walk and grind them down faster.
alexsokolov via iStock
Adjusted Schedule for Overgrown Nails
Monthly nail trims are appropriate for adult dogs whose nails are already in decent shape. However, if your dog has overgrown nails that haven’t been cut in some time, you need a different schedule to get your dog’s nails back on track.
| Timing | Schedule |
| Month 1 | 1 to 3 times weekly with a file or grinder, in small amounts |
| Month 2 | 1 to 2 times weekly with clippers, in small amounts |
| Month 3 | Regular nail schedule |
Why overgrown nails need smaller, more frequent trims
The quick is a soft cuticle that runs through your dog’s nails. Inside are blood vessels and nerves, making it incredibly sensitive. When dog nails aren’t trimmed regularly, the quick often grows longer than normal, to the very tip of your dog’s nail. Trimming more than the smallest amount will cause pain and bleeding.
To encourage the quick to shrink back, Dr. Myers recommends make very small cuts every few days. A file or grinder (instead of clippers) can help. If you’re dedicated to these regular trims, you can bring your dog’s nails down to a safe length—without causing them any pain along the way.
Dr. Myers adds that in extreme cases, you can also take your dog to the vet, and they can do the trim under sedation to more quickly get your dog’s nails back to normal.
Why Regular Trimming Matters
Trimming your dogs’ nails is as important for their health as regular veterinary visits. Regular trims protect your pup’s paws from potential injury and infection. Long nails easily catch, break, or tear. “Broken nails can be very painful and messy (they bleed a lot) and increase the risk of infection,” Dr. Myers explains.
Overgrown nails can also impact the way your dog moves. The force of walking on their nails over time causes the bones in their feet to adjust. This puts undue pressure, wear, and tear on their joints. In short, what seems like a minor inconvenience can lead to significant joint pain and even cause arthritis in the long run.
How Long Should Dog Nails Be?
“The size and shape of dogs and their nails varies a lot, so the ideal length is different for each dog,” Dr. Myers says. Instead of trying to measure, look to see where your dog’s nails are in relation to the floor. When your dog is standing, their nails should be at or just above the ground. They shouldn’t push your dog’s toes up off the floor.
Dewclaws—the nail that sits higher up on your dog’s foot like a thumb—should be kept short enough that they don’t curl into circles or grow into your dog’s skin, Dr. Myers adds.
Signs your dog needs a nail trim include:
- Nails clicking on hard surfaces when they walk
- Nails snagging the carpet
- Nails touching the floor when standing still
- Nails curling downward in a crescent shape
Remains via iStock
Tips for Making Nail Trims Regular
Of all the ways we care for our pups, regular nail trims are one of the most intimidating—and the most avoided. Many dogs resist having their paws handled, let alone having their nails chopped off. The awkward position, the pressure of the trimmers, and the sound of the nail breaking can be jarring.
When you commit to doing it regularly, trimming your dog’s nails gets easier. Here are the tips that can help.
Start young
Starting regular nail trims when your dog is just a puppy is the best way to set your pup up for lifelong success. If you’ve adopted an older dog, or if you missed the window to socialize your dog to trims as a puppy, you can still help them to become comfortable—or more comfortable—with the process.
Practice paw handling
If your pup doesn’t like having their paws handled at all, start there. Using treats to distract and create a positive association with the experience, gently and carefully start handling your dog’s paws regularly.
Introduce the trimmer slowly
When your dog is comfortable with paw handling, start introducing your dog to the nail trimmer you plan to use. You can place the clippers in your dog’s favorite spots in the house or near their favorite toys. This helps your dog to become comfortable with their presence and can even create a positive association with the clippers.
Go slowly and take breaks
When you feel ready to try trimming your dog’s nails, go slowly and give them plenty of treats along the way. It’s important to not force it. If you only get through two nails before your dog panics, that’s okay. Stop, give your pup plenty of love, and try again in a couple of days.
Make it a habit
Once you’ve successfully started trimming your dog’s nails, don’t stop. Regular trims help to ensure that your dog stays comfortable with the process—and it keeps their nails at a safe, comfortable length too.
When You Need Professional Help To Cut Your Dog’s Nails
If you’re dedicated to the process and a regular schedule, most dogs will get used to nail trims over time. But not all pet parents can commit to that. Plus, not all pups can wait to have their extra-long nails cut back, and some dogs’ nails are more difficult than others—especially all-black nails that hide the quick.
If you need a little help, reach out to a groomer or ask your vet to include a nail trim at your next appointment. Certified, fear-free groomers are specially trained to handle dogs of all sizes, temperaments, and comfort levels. Plus, they’re skilled at trimming a pup’s nails efficiently, helping to get the whole thing over with before your dog even knows what happened.
If your dog is truly fearful about having their nails trimmed, and is at risk of injuring themselves (or you) in the process, call the vet. Your friendly vet techs will take care of it safely and quickly. In some cases, they may use calming medications to get the job done. Your pup’s nails will get the treatment they need, and you won’t have to be the bad guy with the clippers.
No matter whether you trim your dog’s nails at the groomer’s, the vet’s office, or at home, just make sure you do it often. Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is essential to keep your pup happy, comfortable, and healthy.
