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Yes, long nails can hurt dogs. The most direct problems happen when a nail presses against the ground, snags and tears, splits near the sensitive quick, or curls into a paw pad. Still, a little clicking on the kitchen floor does not automatically mean your dog is in pain. It means the nails deserve a closer look.
You may have heard that long nails always change a dog’s gait and eventually cause arthritis. The evidence is not that simple. A 2026 pilot study of seven healthy dogs found no significant change in major gait measurements before and after nail trimming. [1] I still want nails kept comfortable and safe, but I do not want you blaming every stiff step on the toenails.
From a whole-dog perspective, nail length belongs beside activity level, walking surfaces, paw shape, mobility, age, nail quality, and how your dog feels about having their feet handled. Looking at the complete picture leads to better care and usually a calmer trim.
Can Long Nails Hurt Dogs?
Long nails are most likely to hurt when they create direct pressure or damage. A very long nail can press into the ground each time the dog stands. It can also catch in carpet, decking, or brush and tear. Nails that keep growing may curve toward the pad, and dewclaws are easy to miss because they do not touch the ground and wear down naturally. These problems can be uncomfortable or painful, and a torn or embedded nail can become a much bigger paw problem. [2]
Inside each nail is the quick, which contains nerves and blood vessels. The hard outer nail protects it. A trim into the quick hurts and bleeds, and a split that exposes it can be quite tender. That is why thoughtful, gradual trimming is kinder than waiting until the nails need a major correction.
How to Tell When Your Dog’s Nails Are Too Long
Start with your dog standing naturally on a flat surface. In many dogs, a comfortable nail sits close to the floor without pushing hard into it. Paw shape varies, though, so I look for several clues instead of trusting one rule.
Check for:
- Nails that rest firmly on the floor or lift the toes when your dog is standing
- A pronounced hook, sideways curve, or twist
- A nail that catches on fabric, carpet, or bedding
- Toes that look spread or a foot that is placed differently from the others
- Licking or chewing one toe
- Flinching when a nail is touched
- Limping, avoiding a paw, or suddenly resisting normal walks
- A dewclaw curving toward the skin
A visible curvature or twist in the nails is a clear sign they’ve grown too long. You can spot it during a quick paw check and act before the nail reaches the paw pad, leading to pain and potential infections.
Clicking is less absolute. Some dogs click on hard floors even when their nails are a reasonable length because of foot shape, how they move, or the floor itself. Use the sound as a reminder to inspect the feet. If the nails are clicking loudly, touching the ground at rest, and beginning to curve, a trim is probably due.
How Long Nails Cause Problems
The clearest risks are local to the nail and paw:
- Pressure: A nail that bears weight against the floor can make standing or walking uncomfortable.
- Snagging and tearing: Extra length gives carpet loops, deck gaps, and brush more nail to catch.
- Splitting: A crack can travel toward the quick and expose sensitive tissue.
- Pad penetration: A tightly curved nail can grow into the paw pad, causing a wound and sometimes infection.
- A longer quick: When nails remain long, the quick may extend farther toward the tip, so the nail cannot safely be shortened all at once.
I also look at why the nails became long. A young, active dog who runs on firm ground may wear nails differently from a senior who takes shorter walks on grass. Reduced nail wear can follow reduced mobility, which means the nails may be a clue rather than the sole cause of an awkward gait.
I have had several special-needs dogs that were missing limbs or required the use of a cart. In these dogs I had to check their paws and nails more often.
If several nails become brittle, misshapen, loose, or painful at the same time, look beyond grooming. That pattern can point to a nail-bed or whole-body problem that needs a proper examination. Occasionally, nutritional deficiencies could cause changes in toenail structure.
What Research Says About Nail Length and Gait
The first objective study to compare dogs before and after a nail trim was published in 2026. In seven clinically healthy dogs, researchers found no significant changes in stride length, stance time, or major force measurements after trimming. They did find small changes in paw length and side-to-side pressure movement. [1]
This was a small pilot, so it does not answer every question about severely overgrown nails, painful nail disease, or dogs who already have mobility problems. It does tell us not to leap from “long nails can hurt” to “long nails always change the whole gait and cause arthritis.” Keep the nails at a comfortable length because direct pressure, tearing, splitting, and pad penetration are reason enough.
How to Trim Overgrown Dog Nails Safely
Before You Start
Choose a bright spot with non-slip footing. Have sharp dog nail clippers or a grinder, styptic powder, and a few high-value treats within reach. Check all the nails before you begin, including every dewclaw, so there are no surprises halfway through.
On a light nail, the pink quick is often visible. On a dark nail, take off a very thin slice at a time. As you move inward, the dry, pale center begins to look darker and softer. Stop before you reach that center. If you cannot tell where the safe edge is, there is no prize for guessing. A groomer or veterinary technician can show you on your own dog.
A grinder removes tiny amounts and rounds rough edges, but the sound and vibration bother some dogs. Clippers are faster, but a dull pair can squeeze or split the nail. The best tool is the one that is sharp, comfortable in your hand, and tolerated by your dog.
If the Quick Is Long
Do not try to restore a short nail in one dramatic session. Trim or grind a small amount, then repeat the process regularly as the quick retreats. Weekly micro-trims work well for many dogs with overgrown nails, but the pace depends on the dog and how close you can safely work. [2]
Severely curved nails, nails close to the pad, and very thick dark nails are reasonable jobs for an experienced groomer or veterinary team. Once the nails are manageable, small home touch-ups are much easier to maintain.
If You Cut the Quick
Stay calm and press styptic powder against the nail. If you do not have it, cornstarch or flour can help encourage clotting. Gentle, steady pressure matters more than repeatedly lifting the cloth to check. Merck’s veterinary first-aid guidance recommends pressure or a clotting aid for a bleeding nail and professional help when a broken piece will not come away easily. [3]
If bleeding continues despite pressure, the nail is split toward the base, or your dog is very painful, let a veterinary professional take over.
Helping a Dog Who Hates Nail Trims
Nail-trim fear is not stubbornness. In a 2022 study of 35 dogs, heart rate rose during nail trimming, nearly half of the dogs struggled intensely or escalated to aggression for at least one nail, and almost one in three had experienced a painful trim in the past. [4]
Break the job into pieces your dog can handle:
- Touch the leg, reward, and stop.
- Touch the paw and one toe, reward, and stop.
- Show the tool without using it.
- Introduce the sound or a gentle touch of the tool.
- Trim one nail, then end on a calm success.
A full set of nails does not have to happen in one sitting. Two nails today and two tomorrow can be a lovely plan. If your dog panics, growls, snaps, or cannot stay safely positioned, do not wrestle through it. A cooperative-care trainer, experienced groomer, or veterinary team can help build a safer routine.
Special Care for Senior Dogs
Older dogs often need more frequent checks because they may walk less and naturally wear the nails down less. Give them a non-slip mat, support the body comfortably, and avoid pulling an arthritic leg far out to the side. Short sessions are easier on sore joints and tired muscles.
If your senior still seems stiff or reluctant to walk after the nails are comfortably shortened, keep looking. Nail care can remove one source of irritation, but it cannot diagnose or fix every mobility problem.
When a Nail Problem Needs Professional Help
A groomer is a good choice for routine overgrowth when the nail and surrounding skin look healthy. A veterinary visit is more appropriate when you see:
- A nail embedded in the paw pad
- A deep split, loose nail, or break near the base
- Bleeding that does not stop with pressure
- Swelling, warmth, discharge, or odor
- Persistent limping or marked pain
- Several nails becoming brittle, deformed, loose, or painful
These are no longer simple length questions. The goal is to treat the injury or underlying cause, not just make the nail shorter.
Final Thoughts
Long nails can hurt dogs, but the practical message is simpler than the scary claims you may see online. Check the feet often, pay special attention to curves and dewclaws, and trim small amounts before the job becomes difficult. Calm, regular care protects the nail and the relationship you are building with your dog.
If nail day has become a wrestling match, make the next session shorter. One calm nail is progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dogs with nails pressing into the floor, catching, or curving toward the pads can be more comfortable after a safe trim. A dog without those problems may not show a dramatic change, and trimming will not solve an unrelated mobility condition.
Many dogs need a check every two to four weeks, but the actual trim schedule depends on growth, activity, walking surfaces, paw shape, and age. Look at the nails rather than relying only on the calendar. Dewclaws often need attention sooner because they do not wear on the ground.
Current evidence does not prove that routine nail overgrowth causes arthritis. Long nails can create local pressure and injury, and severely overgrown nails may make walking awkward. The 2026 pilot did not find significant changes in global gait after trimming, so claims that long nails automatically cause arthritis go beyond what has been shown.
Shorten the nail gradually with small, frequent trims instead of trying to reach the ideal length in one session. Weekly micro-trims work for many dogs. Stop before the darker, softer center of the nail, or ask an experienced professional to demonstrate the safe stopping point.
No. Clicking is a helpful reminder to inspect the feet, but floor type, paw shape, and movement can affect the sound. Ground contact at rest, pronounced curvature, twisting, snagging, and toe discomfort give you a fuller picture.
References
- Häusler, K., & Söhnel, K. (2026). Trimming of nails in healthy dogs does not change gait parameters when comparing pre- and post-nail trim. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 13, 1728382.
- The Royal Kennel Club. (n.d.). Long nails in dogs.
- Textor, J. (2025). Minor injuries and accidents. Merck Veterinary Manual.
- Edwards, P. T., Smith, B. P., McArthur, M. L., & Hazel, S. J. (2022). Puppy pedicures: Exploring the experiences of Australian dogs to nail trims. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 255, 105730.
A note about your dog’s health
This article provides general education and does not replace an examination, diagnosis, or individualized advice from your veterinarian. Contact a veterinary professional if you are concerned about your dog’s symptoms.
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