Most dogs should have their nails trimmed about once a month, or every 3 to 4 weeks, to maintain proper nail length and prevent health issues
. However, the exact frequency depends on factors such as the dog's activity level, age, and walking surface:
- Dogs that frequently walk or run on hard surfaces like pavement or concrete naturally wear down their nails and may need trims less often, sometimes every 4 to 6 weeks
- Dogs that spend most of their time indoors or on softer surfaces like grass may require nail trimming every couple of weeks, especially puppies and senior dogs whose nails grow faster or are less worn down
- Puppies may need nail trims every 1 to 2 weeks to keep nails short and to get them accustomed to the process
- Senior dogs and dogs living in rural areas often need trims more frequently, about every 2 to 4 weeks, due to less natural wear
Signs that your dog's nails are too long include hearing a clicking sound when they walk on hard floors, nails extending past the quick (visible in light- colored nails), or a long curved nail tip
. Overgrown nails can cause pain, change how a dog walks, lead to infections, and even cause joint problems
. In summary, a good rule of thumb is to check your dog's nails monthly and trim them as needed, adjusting the frequency based on their lifestyle and nail growth
