Nail trims are easy to put off. They seem minor, plenty of dogs hate them, and it’s tempting to figure your dog’s nails will wear down on their own. But overgrown nails are one of the most common and most overlooked sources of discomfort in dogs — they affect how your dog stands, walks, and even how their joints align over time. Keeping nails at a healthy length is a genuine part of caring for your dog’s comfort and mobility, not just a cosmetic touch-up. Here’s why nail trims matter so much, and how we make them painless.
What overgrown nails do to a dog
When a dog’s nails grow too long, they change the way the dog has to stand and move. Long nails hit the ground with every step, putting pressure back into the toes and forcing the dog to shift their stance in unnatural ways. Over time this strains the toes, feet, and joints, and can contribute to pain and even arthritis as a dog ages. Severely overgrown nails can also curl around and grow into the paw pad — which is painful and can cause infection. Comfortable, healthy nails simply shouldn’t touch the ground when your dog stands.
Signs your dog’s nails are too long
- You hear clicking or tapping on hard floors when your dog walks
- The nails touch or curl toward the ground when your dog is standing
- Your dog is slipping on smooth floors or seems hesitant to walk
- The nails look long, curved, or are catching on carpet and bedding
- Your dog is licking or favoring their paws
That clicking sound on the floor is the most common everyday clue. If you can hear the nails, they’re likely due for a trim.
Why some dogs don’t wear them down
People often assume a dog who walks regularly will wear their nails down naturally, and some dogs do — but many don’t, especially if they mostly walk on grass, carpet, or other soft surfaces rather than rough pavement. Less active dogs, seniors, and indoor dogs are especially prone to overgrowth. And the dewclaws — the "thumb" nails higher up on the leg — never touch the ground at all, so they keep growing unchecked and can curl into the skin if ignored. Most dogs need regular trims regardless of how much they walk.
The quick, and why gentle trimming matters
Inside each nail is the "quick" — the living part with blood vessels and nerves. Cutting into it hurts and bleeds, and a dog who’s been quicked once often becomes fearful of nail trims for a long time, which is exactly how so many dogs come to dread them. Careful, experienced trimming takes a little off at a time, staying safely clear of the quick, and stays calm and patient with anxious dogs. When nails are kept short with regular trims, the quick gradually recedes, making it easier to keep them at a healthy length.
Gentle nail trims in Panama City
At Animal Friends Pet Care in Panama City, we trim nails carefully and patiently — taking it slow, staying clear of the quick, and never forcing a frightened dog or using sedation. Nail care is included in our grooming, and we’re happy to do nail trims on their own too. If your dog is nervous about their paws, tell us and we’ll go at their pace. We’ve earned 4.9 stars across 574+ reviews. Call (850) 257-5776 or book online. For pricing, see our pricing page or just ask.