5 Signs Your Dog's Nails Are Too Long

Quick question: when did you last look at your dog's nails? Really look?

If you had to think about it, you're in good company. Nails grow slowly, a little each week, so there's never a day when they suddenly look "too long." They just are, one day, and your dog has been walking on them for a while.

Here's how to know for sure. It takes 30 seconds, and your dog doesn't even have to cooperate.

The 30-second check

1. Stand. Let your dog stand relaxed on a hard floor, weight on all four paws.
2. Crouch. Get down to paw level and look from the side.
3. Look for the gap. Healthy nails have a small gap between the tip and the floor. Too-long nails touch it, or bend sideways under your dog's weight.

Touching? It's time for a trim. Not sure? Keep reading.

5 signs to watch for

1. The click

Tap-tap-tap across the kitchen. If you can hear your dog coming, the nails are hitting the floor with every step.

2. The slide

Long nails lift the grippy pads off the floor. Your dog skids on tile, scrambles on stairs, or stands with legs spread wide. Here's why dogs slip on floors.

3. The new walk

This one's sneaky. To keep weight off their toes, dogs lean back. The stride gets shorter, the walk slower, the sofa jumps rarer. It's easy to blame age.

4. The twist

Long nails start turning sideways or curling. Check the dewclaws too, the little nails on the inside of the leg. They never touch the ground, so they never wear down, and they can curl right back into the pad.

5. The flinch

Your dog used to let you hold their paws. Now they pull away. Long nails can make paws sore. Look for redness or swelling around the nail, and call your vet if you see it.

So how short is short enough?

Short enough that the nails don't touch the floor when your dog stands.

How often should you trim?

Every 2–4 weeks for most dogs. Dogs who walk a lot on pavement wear their nails down and need it less. Indoor dogs, small breeds and seniors usually need it more.

Already long? Trim a little every week. The quick moves back gradually, and the nails follow.

Make it a habit, not a battle

Every couple of weeks only works if it's easy. A grinder lets you take a little off each time with no risk of a deep cut. Ours is quiet (30–50 dB), so the sound isn't a reason to run.