Do I really need to cut his nails??? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

OurdogSam · 10-10-2007, 03:01 PM

Not a dumb question...I hope.

Of course I know that you cannot just let their nails grow and grow without cutting them because it can cause toe damage. However, what if I often walk the dog outside on the sidewalk and the kids play outside with him on concrete? Is it possible that the outdoor activity will keep his nails filed down enough that I won't need to cut them?

I tried to cut them last night for the first time. Sam is 4 months old and we just got him this week. I was only cutting off about 1 mm but on one of the toes he yipped! I was cutting very slowly and had barely pressed down when he yipped so I might have nicked the quick. There was no blood and he seemed fine, but I didn't have the nerve to cut anymore. I asked my wife to just have the vet do it next time she takes him in.

Just the thought of cutting the quick sends shudders up my spine! I cut my dogs quick once when I was a teenager and all I remember was the puddle of blood on the floor!! OUCH!! I felt so bad!

What are your thoughts on outdoor walking to eliminate the need to trim his nails? Any thoughts?

Doug

kalina82 · 10-10-2007, 03:34 PM

since he's outside so much on the concrete you may not have to cut them that often. However i'd still play with his feet all the time so he's used to you handling them so that when he goes to the groomer or vet they can cut them if needed.

also check his toe nails when you bathe him to make sure they're not getting too long. if they are past the pad or clinking a lot when walking on hard wood floors then they are probably too long.

10-10-2007, 03:01 PM	#1
OurdogSam Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 19	Do I really need to cut his nails??? Not a dumb question...I hope. Of course I know that you cannot just let their nails grow and grow without cutting them because it can cause toe damage. However, what if I often walk the dog outside on the sidewalk and the kids play outside with him on concrete? Is it possible that the outdoor activity will keep his nails filed down enough that I won't need to cut them? I tried to cut them last night for the first time. Sam is 4 months old and we just got him this week. I was only cutting off about 1 mm but on one of the toes he yipped! I was cutting very slowly and had barely pressed down when he yipped so I might have nicked the quick. There was no blood and he seemed fine, but I didn't have the nerve to cut anymore. I asked my wife to just have the vet do it next time she takes him in. Just the thought of cutting the quick sends shudders up my spine! I cut my dogs quick once when I was a teenager and all I remember was the puddle of blood on the floor!! OUCH!! I felt so bad! What are your thoughts on outdoor walking to eliminate the need to trim his nails? Any thoughts? Doug

10-10-2007, 03:34 PM	#2
kalina82 Phantom Queen Morrigan Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: with my yorkie baby Posts: 10,141 Blog Entries: 1	since he's outside so much on the concrete you may not have to cut them that often. However i'd still play with his feet all the time so he's used to you handling them so that when he goes to the groomer or vet they can cut them if needed. also check his toe nails when you bathe him to make sure they're not getting too long. if they are past the pad or clinking a lot when walking on hard wood floors then they are probably too long. __________________ Kellie and Morgan