{"id":4428,"date":"2022-08-29T17:06:58","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T17:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/notabully.org\/?p=4428"},"modified":"2024-01-30T18:02:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T18:02:50","slug":"how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-dogs-nails-trimmed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/notabully.org\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-dogs-nails-trimmed\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Does It Cost To Get Dogs Nails Trimmed?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are already a dog owner, you probably know that dogs require maintenance!\u00a0 Some of these things are expected like vet visits, daily walks, and playtime.\u00a0 Other things can come as a bit of a shock for first-time pet owners!\u00a0 Nail trims are something that can come as a surprise since it’s probably not the first thing you consider when it comes to down ownership. But it can get costly depending on your dog!<\/p>\n

So, how much does it cost to get dog nails trimmed?<\/p>\n

The average cost of a dog nail trim is usually between 12$ and 30$.\u00a0 This cost can vary depending on where you’re getting the nail trim done and how cooperative your dog is.\u00a0 Nail trims can also be done at home with practice and the purchase of a few tools.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keep reading to find out why when and how to trim your dog’s nails.\u00a0 We will also talk about the costs of supplies and prices for a nail trim from a veterinarian or a dog groomer so you can make the best decision for your furry friend.<\/p>\n\n

Why Do Dogs Need Nail Trims?<\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, nail trims are necessary for the health of almost all dogs!<\/p>\n

Back in the day, dogs spent more time outside on rough terrain.\u00a0 Dogs would climb and run over rocky ridges, dirt, and gravel.\u00a0 This rough terrain was actually beneficial to a dog’s nails.\u00a0 It would act as a natural nail file and keep the nails at a proper length.<\/p>\n

Now, most dogs only spend a fraction of their time running over rough surfaces and don’t naturally wear down their nails. Sure, a walk will help a little but it won’t get nails to the appropriate length<\/a>. Like humans, most dogs need regular nail trims to keep their nails from growing too long.<\/p>\n

Since dogs don’t wear down their own nails, they need nail trims to keep themselves healthy and safe.\u00a0 Long nails are a hazard to their health.\u00a0 Additionally, long nails have the potential to scratch floors, carpets, and even owners!<\/p>\n

Can Overgrown Nails Hurt Dogs?<\/h3>\n

If you don’t think your dog’s long nails are hurting them, think again.<\/p>\n

Overgrown nails can cause acute or chronic pain for their owners.\u00a0 Long nails can actually change the posture of a dog and cause issues with their hips, shoulders, and backs.\u00a0 According to the American Kennel Club<\/a>, some of these side effects of overgrown nails can be permanent.<\/p>\n

Long nails are also more likely to get snagged or stuck on fabrics, like carpet.\u00a0 If nails are left untrimmed, they will actually start to grow around and back into the dog’s paw.\u00a0 This can result in painful sores and ulcers which can get easily infected.<\/p>\n

Are all dogs at risk of overgrown nails, or only certain breeds?<\/p>\n

Do All Dogs Need Nail Trims?<\/h3>\n

Almost all dogs will need nail trims at some point in their lives.<\/p>\n

Small dogs almost always need regular nail trims.\u00a0 Larger dogs usually do as well.\u00a0 But, if you have a large dog that spends most of their day outside, it’s possible that they are wearing down their nails naturally.\u00a0 If this is the case you need to keep an eye on your dog’s feet and make sure that the nails stay short.<\/p>\n

Outside of that very specific set of circumstances, all dogs need nail trims!\u00a0 The frequency of these nail trims does vary between breeds and even individuals.<\/p>\n

How Often Should Dogs Get Nail Trims?<\/h2>\n

Just like humans, dog nails grow at different speeds.<\/p>\n

Because of this, it’s hard to put an exact number on how long to go between trims!\u00a0 A better metric to use as an example is to judge the need for a trim based on the length of the nail.\u00a0 A good rule of thumb is that a dog’s nails are ready for a trim when they just start to touch the floor as they’re standing.<\/p>\n

So, this means that once you start to hear your dog’s nails tap tapping on the floor, it’s time for a trim!<\/p>\n

Does Size Of Dog Matter?<\/h3>\n

For many dogs, the time between trims will be around 3 – 4 weeks.\u00a0 Even though it might be counterintuitive, smaller dogs actually need more frequent nail trims than larger dogs.\u00a0 Even though they have smaller nails they’re still at a disadvantage here.\u00a0 Larger dogs tend to naturally wear down their own nails a little bit when they walk on rough surfaces due to their size and weight.\u00a0 Unfortunately, a small dog like a chihuahua doesn’t weigh enough to benefit from this effect.<\/p>\n

Either way both small and large dogs will need regular nail trims!<\/p>\n

3 Ways To Trim Your Dog’s Nails (And The Cost Of Each)<\/h2>\n

So, now that we’ve established that all dogs need nail trims, how do we do it?\u00a0 And how much will it cost?<\/p>\n

Well, there are three options for how to get your dog’s nails trimmed.\u00a0 You can trim them yourself, at home, you can get them trimmed at the vet, or you can get them trimmed at a groomer.\u00a0 We’re going to go over the pros and cons of each method and make sure to do a price comparison at the end of this section.<\/p>\n

Trim Them At Home (Free)<\/h3>\n

Have you ever trimmed your dog’s nails at home?\u00a0 Maybe you tried and it didn’t go well!\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Trimming your dog’s nail at home takes some patience time and practice on both ends, but the results can be rewarding!<\/p>\n

The pros of trimming your dog’s nails at home are low costs and low stress for your dog.\u00a0 The cons of trimming your dog’s nails at home are the potential of injuring them.<\/p>\n

So, how do you trim a dog’s nails?\u00a0 Let’s talk anatomy first!<\/p>\n

How Are Dog Nails Different From Human Nails?<\/h4>\n

A dog’s nail is made up of keratin,m just like a human’s.\u00a0 Dog nails are much thicker, curved, and can be different colors.\u00a0 Dog nails also have a quick inside them which supplies the nail with blood and nutrients to stay healthy.\u00a0 In the photo below from Animal Trust<\/a>, you can see a diagram explaining the quick.<\/p>\n

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In this diagram, you can see that the cut line is above the quick.\u00a0 You want to avoid hitting the quick when giving a nail trim.<\/p>\n

How Do You Trim A Dog’s Nail?<\/h4>\n

If your dog has clear or white nails, you’re in luck.\u00a0 You should be able to see a pink or red area in your dog’s nail.\u00a0 That’s the quick and is your guideline to avoid.\u00a0 If your dog has brown or black nails, you’re going to have to trim a little bit at a time with a slightly different technique.<\/p>\n

For all dog nails, you want to get either nail clippers or a nail Dremel.\u00a0 Many dogs prefer a nail Dremel because the sensation is not as abrupt as that of nail clippers.\u00a0 Some dogs prefer clippers because they don’t like the sound of the dremmel.\u00a0 You might need to experiment with your pup to find out!\u00a0 Luckily, you can find affordable sets on amazon that include files and clippers.\u00a0 You can find the price of my favorite set on Amazon by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This video explains the steps you need to take to trim your dog’s nails.<\/p>\n