Trim those nails

In January, the City of Gillette Animal Shelter posted the picture above on their Facebook page, reminding all dog owners about the importance of trimming their pet’s toenails. It’s important that you know toenails that are long, or even curled like in the picture above, can be very painful for your pet to walk on.

When properly trimmed, your dog’s toenails shouldn’t touch the ground when they are standing still or when they are walking. If you can hear your dog’s toenails click on the ground as they are walking through your house, they are too long, and it’s time for a trim. We encourage you to trim your dog's toenails every six to eight weeks if they aren’t very active. Most puppies, or dogs who get numerous walks on pavement or sidewalks, often don’t need their nails trimmed as frequently. However, as they age, the nails will need to be trimmed.  

Dog’s aren’t the only pets who need nail trims. Please remember to trim your cat’s nails as well.

If you’re a little nervous to trim your pet’s nails, check out the video tutorial below from the Whole Dog Journal and Veterinarian Dr. Christianne Schelling. There are also numerous pet grooming businesses in Gillette that can also trim your pet’s nails. The businesses we recommend can be found on the Pet Grooming page on our website. You can also ask your veterinarian to show you how to properly trim your pet's nails. 

You can also get some tips on trimming your pet’s nails in the articles below.

1. ASPCA: Cat Grooming Tips
   
2. ASPCA: Dog Grooming Tips 
   
3. Dog’s Naturally: A stress-free way for trimming your dog’s toenails
   
4. Humane Society: Trimming your cats claws ​​