# What Your Dog’s Nails Can Tell You About Their Health Source: https://dogfriendlylasvegas.com/features/what-your-dogs-nails-can-tell-you-about-their-health/ Published: 2026-08-26 --- A dog’s nails can be easy to overlook until they become too long, start clicking across the floor or suddenly cause a limp. Because nail trimming is generally considered part of routine grooming, owners may not always recognize when a nail problem has become a medical concern. But nail health can affect much more than appearance. Overgrown nails can change the way a dog places their feet and walks. A split or torn nail can expose sensitive tissue, cause significant pain and leave the area vulnerable to infection. Persistent swelling, repeated cracking or abnormal nail growth may also point to a problem that goes beyond routine maintenance. For Nevada dogs spending time outside on sidewalks, trails, yards and other surfaces, regular paw and nail checks are an important part of understanding what is normal for an individual pet. Dr. Espinosa of Majestic Park Animal Hospital says nail care should be considered part of a dog’s overall health rather than simply a cosmetic concern. > Nail health starts at home and requires maintenance, just like people do Dr. Espinosa says. “They need them trimmed and cleaned more often because their paws are always on dirty floors and outside.” ## What Healthy Dog Nails Should Look Like Healthy nails can vary significantly in color. Some dogs have white or light-colored nails, while others have black or darker nails. Nail color alone does not determine whether a nail is healthy. Owners should instead pay attention to its length, shape and condition. Healthy nails should not be consistently splitting at the ends or curling. In lighter-colored nails, the quick, the portion containing the nail’s blood supply, may be visible. Length is one of the easiest things for owners to monitor. The familiar clicking or tapping sound of nails against hard flooring can be an early indication that they have become too long. ![](https://dogfriendlylasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/content-images1920-x-1080-px-4-3-1024x576.png) In more advanced cases, nails can begin to curl. If they continue growing without being maintained, they can eventually curve back toward the paw and, in extreme cases, grow into the paw pad itself. That can turn a routine grooming issue into a painful injury. ## Why Overgrown Nails Can Affect Mobility A dog’s nails play a role in how the foot contacts the ground. When they become excessively long, they can interfere with normal foot placement and force a dog to compensate. Some dogs may begin shifting their limbs, changing their stride or walking more on their toes to avoid putting pressure on painful nails. “1000%,” Dr. Espinosa says when asked whether chronically overgrown nails can alter gait or place additional stress on the joints. “This leads to pets tip-toeing around, having to shift limbs while walking to avoid pain from nail issues. There’s so much more damage that can be done than strictly nail damage.” This can be especially important in dogs that already have arthritis, orthopedic disease or other mobility limitations. An existing gait problem can become more complicated when painful nails add another reason for a dog to change how they walk. A change in gait should therefore prompt owners to look at the entire limb, including the paw and nails, rather than assuming the source of the problem is higher in the leg. ## Understanding The Quick The quick is the part of the nail where the blood supply originates. Cutting into it causes bleeding and can be painful. The position and length of the quick also matter when dealing with chronically overgrown nails. With regular trimming, the quick can gradually recede, allowing the nail to be maintained at a shorter length. When a dog’s nails remain overgrown for an extended period, the quick can lengthen as well. That means severely overgrown nails cannot necessarily be cut back to an ideal length in one session without causing bleeding. ![](https://dogfriendlylasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/content-images1920-x-1080-px-7-3-1024x576.png) Bringing them back to a healthier length can require a gradual process, sometimes involving repeated careful trimming or grinding to encourage the quick to recede. For owners who are uncomfortable managing significantly overgrown nails, working with a certified pet groomer can be particularly helpful. Groomers receive specific training in nail care and handling and can help establish a safe maintenance routine. ## What Happens When A Nail Breaks Or Tears? A broken or partially torn nail can be much more painful than it initially appears. When a nail breaks or splits into the quick, sensitive tissue can be exposed. The area may bleed significantly and can remain painful until it heals. A torn nail may also extend farther toward the base than an owner can see. A dog experiencing that type of injury may limp, lick or bite at the affected foot, or become reluctant to put normal weight on it. The distinction between damage to the nail itself and injury to the nail bed is important. A superficial damaged nail may require little intervention, while damage involving the nail bed or surrounding tissue can take considerably longer to heal. Depending on the severity of the injury, damage to the nail bed can also permanently affect the way the nail grows. A nail may grow back abnormally or, in severe cases, fail to grow back normally at all. When a nail grows back abnormally, it can continue irritating the surrounding skin and become an ongoing source of discomfort. ## Why Nail Bed Problems Deserve Attention The nail itself is not the only area owners should monitor. Swelling, redness, scabbing, pain or other changes around the nail bed can indicate that something more significant is occurring. Persistent problems may involve bacterial or fungal infections, skin disease or other underlying conditions. Dr. Espinosa notes that prolonged nail problems that do not heal normally can require additional diagnostics to determine what is causing them. This is particularly important when a nail repeatedly cracks, remains inflamed or continues growing abnormally without an obvious traumatic explanation. An abnormal nail can also irritate the surrounding skin as it grows, creating another source of pain even after the original injury appears to have healed. ## Why Injured Nails Are Vulnerable To Infection A damaged nail is difficult to keep completely protected. Dogs walk on floors and outdoor surfaces throughout the day, meaning an exposed quick or injured nail can come into contact with dirt and debris. The location of the paws also makes keeping an open injury clean more challenging. Licking creates another opportunity for irritation and contamination. ![](https://dogfriendlylasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/content-images1920-x-1080-px-6-4-1024x576.png) A dog may repeatedly lick or bite an injured nail because it hurts or feels unusual. That behavior can damage the surrounding skin and prolong healing. For a nail injury that occurs after hiking, daycare, play or another activity, owners should inspect the paw for visible wounds, scratches, foreign material or nail damage. Resting the dog and preventing persistent licking can help limit additional irritation while determining whether veterinary care is needed. ## Dewclaws Can Be Particularly Vulnerable To Injury Dewclaws deserve specific attention during routine nail checks. Depending on the individual dog, a dewclaw may have a stronger connection to the limb or may be attached primarily through skin and soft tissue. Because of its position on the inside of the limb, it can catch on objects while a dog is running or playing. That can result in a torn or partially detached nail. Dewclaws also do not necessarily wear down through normal contact with the ground, so they can become overgrown without an owner noticing as quickly as they might with other nails. Including them in routine nail maintenance can help reduce both overgrowth and the risk of traumatic injury. ## At-Home Nail Care And OTC Products: Where They Can Help – and Where They Cannot Routine nail care can often be handled at home, provided the dog is comfortable with paw handling and the owner understands how to use the equipment. [Clippers](https://amzn.to/4cGeG2p) and [nail grinders](https://amzn.to/4y2z6er) can both be useful. [Styptic powder](https://amzn.to/4xhSuE5) can also help control smaller bleeding episodes if the quick is accidentally cut. But these products are not without risk. A grinder should not be considered automatically safer simply because it does not cut the nail with a traditional clipper. A grinder can still reach the quick and cause the same type of bleeding and pain if too much nail is removed. ![](https://dogfriendlylasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/content-images1920-x-1080-px-8-3-1024x576.png) Owners who are uncertain about technique or handling may benefit from having a certified pet groomer demonstrate how to safely maintain the nails. Groomers receive specialized training in nail care and handling, making them an appropriate resource for routine grooming questions. The process can also take time when nails are significantly overgrown. Because the quick may have lengthened, repeatedly removing small amounts of nail can be safer than attempting to return the nail to an appropriate length all at once. ## What To Do If The Quick Is Cut Accidentally cutting the quick can cause bleeding, sometimes more than an owner expects. Styptic powder may help control a smaller bleed, although it can sting when applied and some dogs may not tolerate it well. If bleeding is more significant or does not stop with appropriate pressure and home care, veterinary attention is warranted. Owners should also be cautious about repeatedly hitting the quick during nail trims. Doing so does more than create a single painful experience. Repeated painful nail trims can make a dog increasingly resistant to having their feet handled, making future grooming and veterinary examinations more difficult. Positive paw handling and gradual desensitization can help prevent that cycle. ## Helping Dogs Become Comfortable With Paw Handling One of the most useful parts of nail care begins before a dog ever needs a trim. Regularly touching a puppy or adult dog’s paws, toes and nails helps them become accustomed to handling. It also gives owners an opportunity to establish what their dog’s feet normally look and feel like. That familiarity can make it easier to recognize swelling, a broken nail, an abnormal growth pattern or sensitivity that was not present before. > We advise owners when they first get pets to do all they can to desensitize their pets to having their paws touched Dr. Espinosa says. “This helps with general exams of their feet at home and at the clinic that include grooming and in case of injury.” This does not mean every dog will immediately tolerate a nail trim. But regular, positive handling can make routine care easier over time and reduce the stress associated with future grooming or examinations. ## When At-Home Care Is No Longer Enough There is an important distinction between routine nail maintenance and treating a nail injury. Keeping nails appropriately trimmed, becoming comfortable with clippers or grinders and managing a minor quick injury can be reasonable aspects of home care. A painful nail, significant tear, persistent bleeding or nail that is not healing normally is different. Owners should avoid trying to trim away a damaged nail simply because the injured section is visible. Dr. Espinosa notes that attempting to cut back damaged nails is a common mistake and can sometimes create additional problems rather than correcting the injury. If a nail is painful, continues to grow abnormally or develops additional symptoms, veterinary evaluation is appropriate. ## When A Nail Problem May Require Veterinary Treatment Veterinary care may be necessary when an injury involves more than routine maintenance. Depending on the extent of the damage, treatment can include addressing the damaged portion of the nail, managing pain or treating an infection. More involved injuries may require additional intervention. A nail injury that repeatedly reopens is another reason for veterinary evaluation. Each time the area is damaged again, the healing process is prolonged and the opportunity for infection increases. ![](https://dogfriendlylasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/content-images1920-x-1080-px-9-3-1024x576.png) Persistent or recurring nail problems may also require diagnostic testing. If a nail continues to look abnormal or does not heal, veterinarians may need to investigate fungal or bacterial infections, skin conditions or other underlying disease. The objective is not simply to make the nail look normal again. It is to determine why the problem is occurring and prevent it from continuing. ## Signs Owners Should Not Ignore Some nail problems are obvious, while others develop gradually. Owners should contact their veterinarian when they notice persistent nail-bed swelling, redness, scabbing, discharge, significant pain or nails that repeatedly crack and split. A sudden limp can also be an important clue, particularly if it follows an injury or is accompanied by licking or biting at a particular nail. A dog does not necessarily need to cry or show dramatic discomfort for a nail problem to be significant. Changes in behavior, gait or willingness to have a particular paw touched can provide important information. When the dog is painful, the nail is significantly damaged or an owner is unsure how extensive the injury is, veterinary care is preferable to treating the problem as a grooming issue. ## Dr. Espinosa’s Final Perspective For Dr. Espinosa, nail health is another example of why routine preventative care begins at home. Owners do not need to become veterinary professionals to monitor their dog’s nails. They need to become familiar with what is normal for their individual pet, maintain the nails regularly and pay attention when something changes. That includes noticing a nail that suddenly looks different, a dog that begins licking one foot, a change in gait or pain when a particular paw is touched. Regular paw handling can make those observations easier, while routine maintenance can prevent overgrown nails from affecting comfort and movement in the first place. When a nail injury goes beyond normal grooming, recognizing that distinction is equally important. A painful, damaged or persistently abnormal nail deserves veterinary attention rather than repeated attempts to manage it at home. Nail care may be a small part of a dog’s routine, but healthy feet support every step they take. ![Dr. David Espinosa](https://dogfriendlylasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Espinosa.png) Information Provided by Dr. David Espinosa A native of Louisiana, Dr. Espinosa earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University in 2009. He went on to complete a small animal rotating internship at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by a medical oncology residency at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine from 2011 to 2013. His clinical focus is on chemotherapy and surgical oncology, and he is experienced in treating a wide range of cancers in dogs, cats, and exotic pets. Outside the clinic, Dr. Espinosa enjoys hiking and spending time at home with his husband, their three children, and a lively household of pets. He looks forward to welcoming you and your companion to the practice.