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How To Fix Curled Dog Nails

Dog paw on a wooden surface with overgrown , curled nails

You are not alone. That is a good thing as this is not a rare issue that crops up every generation or decade. It happens a lot and there is sound advice on how to take care of this toenail problem.

If your dog has curled nails, it’s important to act right away. This can be caused by several factors, including genetics and poor nutrition. In addition, it can be a sign of other health problems, such as hypothyroidism. To help prevent this issue from becoming worse, it’s important to keep your dog’s nails trimmed regularly. You can also give them a nail supplement to help strengthen their nails.

The first step in fixing curled dog nails is to trim their nails straight across instead of rounding them under. This will prevent them from curling under over time. If your dogs’ nails are curling to one side, you can use a nail file to smooth the curve out. Just be careful not to dig into the quick, which is located just below the nail bed.

Need to know “How to Trim Severely Overgrown Dog Nails?” Check out our post to find out.

How to Cut Curled Dog Nails

It is highly likely that you will not require the assistance of your vet in order to resolve this issue. Even though it will be uncomfortable for your pet, and the vet will be able to prescribe some medication to ease the discomfort, this is a procedure that you can easily perform on your own.

Step 1: Examine the Nail

In the first step, you will examine the nail to determine the severity of the ingrown nail. In order to accomplish this, you will need to remove some fur, utilize a flashlight, and utilize some other tools.

2 pairs of dog nail clippers on a wooden surface

Step 2: Get Your Tools Ready

Once you have a better understanding of the situation, you will be able to decide which tools will be most effective in cutting the nail. In order to prevent the wound from becoming infected, you will need to keep some medication with you.

Step 3: Cut the Nail

Throughout the entire process, you should have someone helping you to ensure that your dog does not move while the procedure is being performed. At this stage, select the most appropriate pair of nail clippers for the task at hand, cut the nail, and then pull the trimmed end of the nail out of the pad.

blue bowl of soapy water

Step 4: Clean the Bad

In order to prevent the open wound from becoming infected with bacteria and filth, the fourth step is to clean the bad. You will need to do this, and it is one of the most important part of the whole process.

Step 5: Dry the Foot

Ensure that the pad is completely dry before applying the anti-bacterial ointment to your dog’s paw in order to protect it.

Carry out this procedure on all of the nails that have become curled and are beginning to develop ingrown nail problems. Your pet will experience less discomfort and pain as a result of the early removal of the curls.

What to Do When My Dog’s Nail is Curled into the Paw? Click here to learn more.

How to Cut a Curled Dew Claw

curled, overgrown dew claw on a shaggy dog

The nail that grows out of the paw’s ‘thumb’ is known as the dew claw, and it is a characteristic of some animals. Because this nail does not receive the same amount of wear and tear as other nails lower down, it frequently grows to an extremely long length. When people are trimming their dog’s nails, they frequently forget about this important step.

You can accomplish this task with the help of a grinder or a nail clipper. Either tool will work effectively provided the growth is not occurring beneath the surface of your dog’s skin. After you have decided which tool to use, you should search for the quick.

This is particularly noticeable on nails that are lighter in color because the quick tends to be discolored and does not blend in very well. When the nails are darker, the quick may be more difficult to see. If this is the case, then each time you clip, only a small amount should be removed.

It is best to avoid cutting the quick because it will cause bleeding. Because you do not want to cause harm to your pet, you should complete this task slowly. If you have a dog that is prone to wriggling out of place, you should try using a gentle restraint on him or her.

In the event that the dew claw is infected, you may be required to take your pet to the veterinarian in order to have the dew claw removed. Don’t even try to tackle that on your own.

Dog Clippers for Curled Nails

Red and black dog nail clippers on a white background

To cut your dog’s nails, you can select from a wide variety of nail clippers available for purchase. You will need a nail clipper that has an open end in order to properly trim a nail that has been curled. Because of the design of the clipper, it is easy to position the blades in the correct position without having to move the nail.

Don’t be concerned because this category of the clipper is manufactured by a great number of different companies. Coastal Pet Products, Dudi, Miller’s Forge, Fifth & Fido, and GoPets are some of the brands that fall into this category; however, this list is not exhaustive.

You have the option to use a grinder, but it’s possible that this won’t be the best choice given the circumstances. Similar to the clippers, many brands of dog supplies offer a diverse selection of grinders for customers to choose from.

The important thing is to avoid cutting the quick, and you should strive to make this process as comfortable as possible for your pet. You have the option of requesting that your veterinarian or groomer take care of this job on your behalf if you do not feel up to the challenge. They have the necessary experience and expertise to carry out the task successfully.

Tips to Clip Curled Nails

Grey dog paw with overgrown nails on a wooden surface

1. You can use a flashlight to investigate the curled nail on your dog; however, a headlamp will allow you to keep both hands free while you work. You also gain a clearer understanding of the issue.

2. Enlisting the assistance of another person is strongly recommended. While you work, they can hold your pet, move fur out of the way, and keep your dog calm. In addition, they can help you remain calm while you work through this issue with your pet.

3. If the piece of the nail that is embedded in the skin will not come out, consult your local veterinarian for advice. If it does not come out easily, you should not attempt to remove it by yourself. You run the risk of doing even more harm to your dog’s paw. This includes the situation in which you observe excessive bleeding, an infection, or any other problem on the paw of your dog. The experts should be the ones to handle these issues.

4. Prior to clipping, clean the area surrounding the wound with cotton balls. Simply using some water and gentle soap will do the trick. After you have removed the nail, sterilize the wound by applying hydrogen peroxide to a cotton ball and rubbing it over the area.

5. In addition, apply an antibacterial ointment that is safe for dogs whenever there is a possibility of an infection. If you want to know which choice is the best one to make, ask your veterinarian or the employee at the pet store.

Never be afraid to seek the guidance of those who have a greater amount of experience dealing with curled nails. With this advice, you should be able to prevent your pet from experiencing this problem again in the future.

Some Final Words

Close up of overgrown dog nails

Curled nails are not a big problem if you know how to handle them. Your dog will be in pain until you do take care of those nails and you should not delay clipping them when you first see them.

But this problem can be avoided if you regularly clip all of your dog’s nails.

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Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives.