If your dog is scratching a lot after a bath, you may want to examine the shampoo you used. Human shampoo can be used on dogs, but it will remove more of the natural oils on your pup’s fur than shampoo for dogs. Perfumes and dyes can also be irritating. Is it normal for dogs … Read more
While bathing can relieve itchiness caused by dander, debris, bacteria, fungal organisms and dead skin on your dog, water can also cause dry, itchy skin. Find the right balance to relieve your dog’s itchy skin. Usually bathe no more than twice a week, and with appropriate non-irritating shampoos. Is it normal for dogs to be … Read more
The moisture and sweat on their skin can be a breeding ground for bacteria, causing sensitive, itchy skin. If your pup loves nothing more than a dip in the river or lake, they’re more susceptible to picking up bacteria. Why is my dog itchy after water? Chlorine dries out human hair and skin, and dogs … Read more
Bathing once a week will help relieve pain and itching, and increase healing and recovery from any infections. What can I bathe my dog in to stop itching? Oatmeal baths can be great for dogs with itchy, irritated skin. In this post, our Greensboro vets share everything you need for a relaxing bath to pamper … Read more
If your dog is scratching a lot after a bath, you may want to examine the shampoo you used. Human shampoo can be used on dogs, but it will remove more of the natural oils on your pup’s fur than shampoo for dogs. Perfumes and dyes can also be irritating. Is it normal for dogs … Read more
In the wild, wolves and coyotes keep their nails short through digging and running after prey for hours. Since your dog is likely not running around in the wilderness all day, you may need to walk them on concrete to help keep their nails at a reasonable length. Why do wolves not need their nails … Read more
Most dogs have four nails on each rear foot and five on their front feet. That extra nail on the upper, inner part of a dog’s foot is the dewclaw. How much nail Should I cut off my dog? 2 millimeters: It’s best to not cut within 2 millimeters of the quick. As you cut … Read more
If your pet is a senior, has arthritis or you are simply too busy to walk them often, nails can appear to grow fast because they are not worn down from walking or digging. Also in dogs with liver disease, the nails do grow faster than normal and could be an indicator of a health … Read more
Nails soften if soaked in water. Try trimming nails after bathtime or let your dog stand in a few inches of water in the bathtub for about 15 minutes. Is it better to clip a dogs nails wet or dry? Prepare The Paws: If you’re trimming your dog’s nails after a bath, do it while … Read more
Fungal infection – Fungal infections can include yeast infections that cause a red discoloration, dermatophytes, and Malassezia that creates a brownish-red discoloration. What is the brown gunk in my dogs nail bed? Dogs with Malassezia infections show brown-red discoloration of the claw with brown-colored waxy exudate on the proximal aspects of the claws. This condition … Read more
Signs a dogs nails are causing them pain and discomfort include: Can dogs feel pain in their nails? Just like human nails, dogs do not have any feeling in the nail itself, but the quick contains a nerve that transmits sensations back to the brain. When trimming the nail, it is important to stay far … Read more
Secondly, long toenails can hamper a dog’s ability to walk or run efficiently. They can turn a sound paw into a splayed foot and reduce traction, and they can cause deformed feet and injure the tendons over an extended period. As the long nail hits the ground, the pressure puts force on the foot and … Read more
You can hear your dog walking around the house: If you have hardwood floors, the sounds of screeching or clicking nails on the wood are an indicator that it is time for a nail trim. Your dog should be able to walk around the house without his nails dragging on the floor. Do dogs slip … Read more
Clip only the tip of the nail, straight across. Include the dewclaws, located on the inner side of the paw. Avoid clipping past the curve of the nail or you risk hitting what is called the quick (the pink area of the nail that contains the blood vessels). A nick there is painful and will … Read more
If nails are clear, the quick appears pink and the nail growing past the quick is white. If nails are dark, the quick isn’t as obvious. A bit of trivia: if a dog’s paws are white, nails tend to be clear. Past the quick, the toenails don’t have any nerves and they tend to be … Read more
Pain is the main reason that dogs hate nail trims. If your dog has ever been cut too close, even once, he will remember it. Nature provides pain as a protection and if something hurts, an animal must learn to avoid, and even fight it. This is a survival instinct. Why does my dog hate … Read more
How do I stop my dogs nails from making noise on the floor? How do I stop my nails from popping up on hardwood floors? If aesthetics allow you could either replace the wayward nails with a finish nail that has a more positive “lock” in the wood. Any ring shank or spiral shank type … Read more
Instincts: Ground scratching harkens back to instinctive dog behavior exhibited by your pooch’s ancestors. Prior to becoming pets, dogs scratched and dug into the ground to establish a sleeping area; pregnant dogs also dug dens to give birth to their litters. That behavior remains hardwired into the DNA of wild dogs. Why is my dog … Read more
Grinding a dog’s nails at a speed higher than recommended can cause heat buildup, which can harm a pet. Or it may result in accidentally hitting the nail quick (the center of the nail, packed with nerves and blood) if pet owners aren’t careful. Is it better to cut or grind dog nails? Clipping and … Read more
Each nail will generally hover 1mm above the surface, and only make contact during movement. To see this, get your dog to stand on a smooth surface and either crouch down or take a photo. Although it is usually abnormal to hear a dogs’ nails clicking when they walk, for others it’s quite OK. Should … Read more
Are you supposed to hear dog nails on the floor? If a dog’s nails are too long, you will hear them clack when the dog walks on hard surfaces. Deciding if your dog’s nails are too long is quite simple. The claws should not protrude over the pad and should not touch the ground when … Read more
If a dog’s nails are too long, you will hear them clack when the dog walks on hard surfaces. Deciding if your dog’s nails are too long is quite simple. The claws should not protrude over the pad and should not touch the ground when standing. Should you hear a dogs nails when they walk? … Read more
Hold your dog like a football with his face under your arm. Hold her paw and gently grasp a single toe. Trim the very tip of the nail. Do not trim too much off at first so you avoid exposing the quick. Reward your dog after first cut! What do I do if my dog … Read more
Nails cannot be allowed to grow without being trimmed or naturally worn down so if they are long enough, your veterinarian will need to inject a sedative into your dog in order to safely trim the nails. Physical restraint should not be performed if a dog is struggling and trying to bite. How do you … Read more
Luckily, most groomers and veterinary clinics offer nail trimming services, so the owner doesn’t have to do it; however, this comes at an extra expense and some dogs are even more stressed out by getting their nails professionally done instead of by someone they already trust in their home. How much does it cost to … Read more
When dog parents suspect their pup has allergies, one of the first things they want to try is an over-the-counter anti-histamine. In most cases, it is okay to use Benadryl for a dog’s itchy paws. What is the best allergy medicine for dogs licking paws? Apoquel, Atopica, fatty acid supplements, prednisone or other medications such … Read more
As long nails hit the ground, it puts force on the foot and leg structure. This force can potentially lead to arthritis and ongoing pain. The growth pattern of a dog’s nails forms a curved shape. If left untrimmed, the claws will eventually curve under the dog’s paws and dig into the skin, creating pain … Read more
As with other dog behaviors, there can be several reasons that lead dogs to lick or chew their paws. These include injuries; skin problems; environmental, parasite, or food allergies; and boredom or anxiety. Why is my dog constantly licking his nail? Atopy (inhalant allergies) is the most common cause for excessive paw licking and nail … Read more
A sanitary trim (or sanitary clip) refers to trimming or shaving the coat so it’s shorter in the areas where urine or feces may otherwise stain or get stuck in the coat. Areas such as around the anus, genitals and abdomen. Do dogs need sanitary trim? Your dog’s sanitary area needs to be cleaned and … Read more
The Importance of Grooming for Dogs: Dogs are more than just pets; they are family members. As such, it is important to take care of them in the best way possible. One of the most crucial aspects of caring for dogs is grooming. Grooming involves various activities such as brushing, bathing, and trimming their nails. While … Read more
It’s best to brush your dog’s fur before bathing them. This will remove any loose fur and debris from the coat, and also makes sure that any mats or tangles are brushed out, as these will be more difficult to remove when wet. Make sure the water is around the same temperature as the dog’s … Read more
It depends on the groomer, whether they bathe a dog before grooming or not. Some groomers will clip and thoroughly brush out a dog before giving a bath and washing them. The dog groomers use this approach as it will prevent damaging the grooming equipment and might bring a better finish. Do you have to … Read more
Yes, if you and your pups are very active, a once a week is okay. Weekly or bi-weekly bathing can prevent itchiness, washing allergens away before they get a chance to penetrate the skin. How often should a dog be bathed? Once every two to three months: Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, … Read more
A fur coat holds a great deal of water and when next to the skin this makes your dog cold. Drying a wet coat without shaking requires a huge amount of energy and also risks hypothermia in the process. And so they shake. Is it normal for dogs to shake after a bath? As water … Read more
While some pet owners are content to let their dogs air dry, you shouldn’t be. When you let your dog air dry, they’ll be at risk for fungus growing between their paw pads and in locations where their legs attach to their torso. If your dog has long hair, their fur may become matted if … Read more
Approximately 98-104 °F: The temperature of the water should be approximately 98-104 °F or 37°C-40°C. You can check the temperature using a thermometer. Since higher temperatures tend to increase heart rate, we recommend keeping the water temperature between 86-95°F or 30°C-35°C if you’ve recently taken your dog for a walk. What temperature should dog bathing … Read more
Sometimes when the weather is too hot, you would think using cold water can cool them down. But dogs are like humans too, and they don’t quite enjoy cold water just like us. Make sure to keep the space for the shower warm and free of drafts lest your little furry friend suffers from the … Read more
But our vet is well aware that not all dogs love shoes, which is why he has a second option, too — and you probably already have it in your home: Vaseline! Applied to the paws, the petroleum jelly creates a protective barrier. It also helps heel cracked paws. Is it OK to put Vaseline … Read more
If boots don’t feel right for your best friend, try Vaseline or a paw balm such as Musher’s Secret. Before walks, coat the balm on your dog’s paws to create a barrier that prevents snow, ice, and salt from getting between your pup’s toes. The balm or Vaseline also keeps their paw pads hydrated. Is … Read more
The product acts as a protective barrier between their feet and their ground that stops snow and salt from getting lodged between their toes. It also moisturizes your dog’s paw pads and prevents painful cracking. Though regular Vaseline isn’t toxic to dogs, you can also invest in balms made especially for puppy paws. Is it … Read more
Biotin is known to support healthy hair and nails in humans and can do the same for your pup. Dog-safe food sources containing biotin include: How do dogs naturally shorten their nails? Long walks can wear down your dog’s nails naturally over time. In the wild, wolves and coyotes keep their nails short through digging … Read more
The dog will usually not be able to grind all of their nails down evenly, so you may still need to use another method. Long walks can wear down your dog’s nails naturally over time. In the wild, wolves and coyotes keep their nails short through digging and running after prey for hours. Can dogs … Read more
If your dog suddenly begins limping, take a look at their paw — they might have a cracked, broken, torn, or injured nail. A broken toe nail can be a painful and potentially expensive injury for your dog, and it is something that I often see in the veterinary ER. Can a toe nail cause … Read more
You can also use Epsom salt soaks on a smaller scale to soothe sore paws. Make a bowl of salt water and place your dog’s paws in the water to soak for at least 10 minutes. You can also use terry cloths or sponges to make compresses to use on injured skin. Can I soak … Read more
Soft Paws and dried adhesive are non-toxic and completely safe. Even if your dog swallows one, the nail cap will safely pass through the digestive system. Are soft nail caps safe for dogs? They are completely safe and humane and can be used on dogs of all ages. Dogs tolerate the nail caps extremely well. … Read more
Adult dogs may be fearful of the clippers and the sound they make, especially if they had a previous bad experience (having the nail trimmed too short or “quicked”). Desensitizing older dogs to nail trimming takes patience. The process cannot be rushed. Do dogs feel pain when you clip their nails? A dog’s nail consists … Read more
Fill your bathtub up about 3-4 inches with warm water. Add a few cups of Epsom salts, stir them in, and have your dog stand in there for 15-20 minutes. This foot soak will encourage healing and drying out the inflamed, moist dermatitis lesions that can occur between the toes. How often should I soak … Read more
Omega 3 supplements: Omega 3 is a fatty acid found in fish oil that contains various health benefits for humans and dogs alike. Giving your pup an Omega 3 supplement every day will lubricate and moisturize your dog’s nails. Omega 3 prevents dryness and splitting and helps the nails grow strong and healthy. What causes … Read more
If the clippers don’t suit, try a Dremel. The noise and vibration take a little getting used to for most dogs, but some greatly prefer it to the clippers. Nails soften if soaked in water. Try trimming nails after bathtime or let your dog stand in a few inches of water in the bathtub for … Read more
What supplement strengthens dogs nails? Sometimes even with the best pet food brands, you will still need to seek out supplements to strengthen your dog’s nails, so you should look for dog supplements that contain Biotin, Selenium, Omega-3, Magnesium, Vitamin E and Zinc. What causes soft nails in dogs? The most common reason your pet’s … Read more
