12/07/2025
December 07, 2025
In this week’s issue, here’s what we are sniffing out
Nailing Nails for Seniors
Let’s talk about something I see all the time in senior dogs; splayed, flattened, painful paws caused by overgrown nails.
If you remember the earlier newsletter “Nailing the Facts About Nails” you already know the basics - how nails grow, why quicks lengthen, and how to trim them safely.
This time let’s discuss what happens to an old dog when nails get too long.
Here’s what’s really going on underfoot:
What Nails Should Look Like
Kip’s nails would not touch the ground if he was standing - the nail does not curve over and below the paw pad.
For most senior dogs, the nails do come in contact with the floor, but ideally nails shouldn’t touch the floor when the dog is standing.
Nails should not be curved or forced to the side when the dog is standing.
Nails should not curl around and touch the paw pad, forming little rings.
Courtesy of Old Dogs New Digs
How Overly Long Nails Change Body Posture
When nails are too long, they push against the ground with every step. That constant pressure forces the dog to shift their weight off the toes - usually backwards or to the edges of their feet just to avoid pain.
Over time, the body adjusts to this position and begins to develop compensating problems - essentially, their entire “alignment” is off. Elderly dogs already struggle with joint stiffness, muscle loss, and decreased balance, so if you add in posture shifts, their hips, shoulders, and even their spine will compensate for a problem that started at the toes.
Paw Pads Get Flattened and Sore
As posture shifts, the soft pads under their feet start to spread.
You’ll see toes splaying out like a duck’s foot, or the paw pad bulging and widening unnaturally.
Paw pads were never meant to carry weight like that - and when they do, they lose their shock-absorbing ability.
So now every step hurts more than it should, and standing normally gets more difficult and painful.
Tendons and Ligaments Stretch (and Not in a Good Way)
The angle of the foot changes when nails are long.
That constant compensating strain stretches out tendons, causes microtears, and can even affect the tiny joints in the toes. It’s a slow, creeping kind of damage that most people miss until suddenly their dog “just doesn’t want to walk anymore.”
Here’s What You Can Do
If this sounds familiar, don’t panic. There’s a lot you can do - and it starts small:
Check your dog’s feet regularly. Look for splaying, redness, flattened pads, or long nails pushing sideways.
Don’t assume a limp is from the hips or knees. Sometimes, it’s just painful paws.
Go slow, but be consistent. Short, gentle nail trims every 1-2 weeks can help the quick recede gradually.
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