If your dog’s nails are long enough to touch the ground when they walk, it could damage their paws. It may cause pain when they walk by creating pressure on the nail bed and your dog’s toe joints.³ Over time, this can realign the joints of the dog’s foreleg, causing your canine companion to be more susceptible to injury.
Keep in mind that a dog’s nails provide traction while they’re running or standing on an incline. Long, unmaintained nails can alter their natural sense of balance, making falls and injury more likely. Long nails are also prone to tearing or cracking, which is very painful and can lead to infection.