Your Dog's Toenails Can Become Ingrown - Watch Out for These Risk Factors and Symptoms

Everyone knows that humans can develop ingrown toenails if they fail to keep those toenails nicely trimmed. However, not many people are aware of the fact that dogs can also get ingrown toenails. Their nails grow in a natural curve, so they can start to dig into the pads if allowed to grow unchecked.

When this occurs, the pad can become perforated, something that can easily lead to infection given the fact that dogs, unlike humans, rarely wear any type of shoe to separate their paws from the ground below. It will become painful for the dog to support their full weight; this can even cause a permanent splaying of the paw, which can make walking and running problematic for life.

Here are some risk factors and signs that you need to watch out for.

Your Dog Spends Lots of Time Indoors

Every breed of dog likes going out for a walk, but some require less exercise than others. If your dog spends most of its time indoors without many long walks, they won't have as much of a chance to wear down their nails on the harder surfaces usually found outside. You'll need to inspect their paws more frequently and possibly trim them more frequently as well.

Your Dog's Nails Aren't Regularly Clipped

Ideally, you should be clipping your dog's nails every month or so. Remember, those that get too long will also damage your flooring and present discomfort for your pooch, even if they don't actually become ingrown.

One thing you need to be particularly vigilant about is the dew-claw. These are the higher nails positioned on the inside of the leg. Unlike other claws, they don't make contact with the ground, so these are the most likely to become ingrown. If you own a long-haired breed, their fur might have grown over the dew-claw, causing you to forget about it. This is why it's often best to use a professional grooming and clipping service like Foxy's Mobile Dog Washing & Grooming Service.

Your Dog Limps or Holds Their Paw Up

Some dogs will resist showing signs of pain to their owners, but you may notice that your dog is limping slightly, especially while crossing harder surfaces. Less obvious signs of pain include licking at a certain paw more than normal or trying to hold it up as they walk. They may also show less interest in exercise and tend to spend a lot of time lying down. Any such signs of distress should warrant attention.

If your dog does have an ingrown toenail, you should take them to see the vet to make sure no infection has developed. After they are given the all-clear, make sure you establish a proper trimming schedule.