03/07/2023
DID YOU KNOW?
In recent months we have had numerous nail clipping appointments from owners who have had their dogs nails cut at their local vet or groomer…only to find the nails don’t look any different than when they went in! Which can be very disappointing, but it is leading to quite a bit of confusion amongst owners!
The reason for this is that many professionals treat them like regular dogs…but Greyhounds are slightly different in that, to be an appropriate length, a greyhounds nails shouldn’t touch the floor (when standing on a hard flat surface…carpet doesn’t count as they sink in!). However, this isn’t general knowledge a lot of the time and is of no fault of the vet or groomer…it’s just one of those ‘greyhound things’.
For greyhounds, and even other sighthounds, it is immensely important to keep their nails nicely trimmed and well off the floor.
The main reason for this is because of the way their feet are designed. When their nails get too long it pushes the nails into the nail bed when they walk which can be quite uncomfortable. Over time, as they get longer, it alters the way they walk by pushing the toes up and back but in some cases, it can cause the toes to twist sideways as they walk. Prolonged periods of having long nails can cause an unnatural gait that can lead to joint problems later down the line such as arthritis. Additionally, some anecdotal evidence suggests that long nails, in altering how greyhounds walk, can lead to a higher likeliness of getting corns.
Also…for anyone that has owned a greyhound, when they are having their mad zoomies they can frequently break or tear off their nails when they are too long! This is usually followed by what looks like a murder scene as the dog runs their bleeding toe through the house!
If there was ever a reason to keep your dog’s nails trimmed back…this is definitely high on the list!!
Sometimes it can be difficult to shape a dog’s nails back once they have gotten overly long, and it can require several trimmings due to the length of the quick, but it can be done! Although, it can be really nerve wracking cutting your own dogs nails, especially if they’ve gotten a bit long as you never know where the quick might be!
If you aren’t confident in cutting your dogs nails, you can bring them to us at the kennels and we’ll happily give them a going over! We are always here to help.
We provide a full range of greyhound grooming services. We do; nail clipping, teeth de-scaling brush outs and bathing (and happy to do a bit of ear cleaning too!) for our four-legged friends! At £10 per service, if won’t break the bank to drop your dog in for the full pamper service.
If you would like to book a nail, or general grooming appointment, you can call us on 01621 788315 any day between 10am – 4pm.
