Before and after nail trims on three dog paws, showing long overgrown nails and then neatly trimmed nails that no longer reach past the paw pads

How to Tell If Your Dog's Nails Are Too Long (And What to Do About It)

Quick answer: If you can hear your dog's nails clicking on a hard floor, or the nails touch the ground when your dog is standing, they're too long. Nails that curl or reach past the paw pads are another sign. A good starting point is to plan the next trim three to four weeks out, and then you'll be able to tell how long your particular dog needs between trims, because every pet is different.

Most dogs aren't going to tell you when their nails need trimming. But if you know what to look and listen for, the signs are usually easy to spot.

Here's how to tell when it's time, why it matters, and what to do about it.

The click test: should you hear your dog's nails on the floor?

Listen to your dog walk across a hard floor. If you hear a clicking or tapping sound with each step, the nails are touching the ground. That means they're too long.

The veterinarians who wrote VCA Animal Hospitals' guide to trimming a dog's nails say the same thing: "If you can hear your dog's nails clicking on your hard floors when they walk, this is also a clear indicator that the nails are too long."

A nail at a good length should clear the floor when your dog is standing normally.

"If your dog's nails click on hard floors or extend past their paw pads when standing, they're too long. You should also check if the nails start to curve downward or touch the ground directly. Honestly, I keep my dogs on such a tight trimming schedule that their nails don't get long."
Christina, Zakity founder

The visual check

Get down to your dog's level and look from the side while they stand on a flat surface. VCA's advice is simple: "Get down and look to see whether your dog's nails touch the ground. If they do, they are too long and should be trimmed."

If your dog has light-colored nails, also look at the curve. A nail that's grown too long can start to curl downward or sideways instead of pointing down or slightly forward. On any nail color, if the nail reaches visibly past the pad when your dog is standing, it's time for a trim.

For dogs with dark or black nails, the curve is harder to judge, but the click test works just as well, and a magnifier can help once you're ready to trim (more on that below).

What can happen if your dog's nails get too long?

When a nail is long enough to hit the ground, it pushes back against the toe with every step. The American Kennel Club's nail trimming guide explains: "Long nails can turn a sound paw into a splayed foot and reduce traction, and they can cause deformed feet and injure the tendons over an extended period."

We go into more detail in what happens if you never trim your dog's nails. If your dog is limping, or anything about their paws or nails worries you, call your veterinarian.

How often should you trim your dog's nails?

There's no single answer for every dog. A good starting point is to plan the next trim three to four weeks out. Then you'll be able to tell how long your particular dog needs between trims, because every pet is different. Some dogs are walked outside every day and wear their nails down, so they can go longer between trims. Some dogs don't walk on pavement at all and need to be trimmed more often. And some nails grow faster than others.

VCA notes the same pattern: "Dogs that are frequently walked on pavement or concrete may be able to go longer between nail trims, because walking on a hard, rough surface can help file the nail."

A simple nail trim log helps. It's easy to lose track of when you last did it, especially if you have more than one pet. Our free nail-trim kit includes one (see below).

What to do when it's time

Once you know the nails need trimming, the main challenge most dog owners run into is seeing what they're cutting, especially on dark nails, where the quick (the blood vessel inside the nail) isn't visible from the outside.

The Zakity Dog Nail Clipper with Positionable 3x Magnifier has a 3x magnifier on a flexible neck that you move yourself, so you can see the cut surface more clearly as you trim. On light nails, you can watch for the pink of the quick. On dark nails, trim a little at a time and look at the freshly cut surface after each snip: a lighter gray surface means you still have room, while a darker, denser center means it's time to stop.

The safety guard helps limit how much nail comes off per cut, and there's one on each side so the clipper works for left-handed or right-handed use. Taking small amounts at a time can help reduce the chance of a nick, but you can still cut the quick with any clipper, including ours. If it happens, here's what to do if you cut your dog's nail too short.

If the nails are already long, go slowly. VCA's veterinarians describe trimming dark nails "through a series of small clips," taking a little nail each time instead of one big cut. If your dog's nails are very overgrown, or you're unsure, ask your veterinarian or a groomer for help.

If your dog wiggles during trims, a lick mat can help keep your dog busy and distracted while you work. The clipper and a lick mat also come together in our Dog Nail Care Bundle, with a canvas storage bag for the kit.

Get the free nail-trim kit

If you'd like a little more help before you pick up the clippers, visit zakity.com and enter your email in the sign-up pop-up for our free nail-trim kit for dogs and cats. It includes:

  • A printable nail trim log: track front paws, back paws, dewclaws, and the next trim due date
  • A Zakity clipper video: see the magnifier in action before you trim
  • Step-by-step dog and cat trimming guides: including tips for trimming dark nails

It's free and practical, and it's a good place to start if you're trimming for the first time or just want a better system.

To sum it up

If you can hear your dog's nails on the floor, see them touching the ground, or see them curling, it's time for a trim. Catching it early makes the trim easier, keeps it from becoming a bigger job, and can help keep your dog more comfortable day to day.

And every Zakity purchase gives back: 3% of the purchase price (excluding shipping and taxes) supports shelter and rescue pets, so a nail trim at home also means a little more help for pets still waiting in shelters and rescues.

See the Zakity Nail Clipper →

Frequently asked questions

Should dogs' nails touch the ground?

No. When your dog stands on a flat surface, their nails shouldn't touch the ground. VCA's veterinarians put it plainly: if they do, "they are too long and should be trimmed."

Are my dog's nails too long if I can hear them?

Usually, yes. If you hear clicking on tile or hardwood when your dog walks, the nails are touching the floor, which means they're too long.

What are the signs a puppy's nails are too long?

The same signs as in adult dogs: you hear clicking on hard floors, the nails touch the ground when your puppy stands, or they curl or reach past the paw pads. Puppy nails are small, so trim just the tips. Here's how to get your puppy comfortable with nail trims.

How long should a dog's nails be?

Short enough that they don't touch the ground when your dog is standing. There isn't one exact length for every dog, because paws and nails vary. If you hear clicking or see the nails touching the floor, it's time to trim.

Do long nails hurt dogs?

They can. The American Kennel Club says "Unhealthy nails can cause pain," and that over time long nails can splay the foot and reduce traction. If your dog is limping, or anything worries you, call your veterinarian.

How often should I trim my dog's nails?

A good starting point is to plan the next trim three to four weeks out. Then you'll be able to tell how long your particular dog needs between trims, because every pet is different. Dogs who walk on pavement often may go longer, and dogs who don't may need trims more often. Our Dog Nail Trim Guide walks you through the whole process step by step.

Does walking your dog on pavement file their nails?

It can help. VCA notes that walking on "a hard, rough surface can help file the nail." But not every nail gets the same ground contact, and dewclaws usually don't touch the ground at all, so it's still worth checking your dog's nails regularly.

How do you cut dog nails that are too long?

Slowly, a little at a time. Take small snips instead of one big cut, and look at the freshly cut end after each one. On dark nails, a lighter gray surface means you still have room, while a darker, denser center means it's time to stop. If the nails are very overgrown, or you're unsure, ask your veterinarian or a groomer for help.

Keep reading

About the Founder: Christina is the founder of Zakity and has upwards of 40 years of hands-on animal care experience. Her work includes serving as a veterinary technician at a large veterinary referral hospital, working in animal shelters and rescue, conducting animal cruelty investigations for a nonprofit animal welfare organization, and educating pet owners on proper animal care, including as an adjunct professor. Christina founded Zakity to give pet owners better tools for caring for their animals confidently at home, and to give back to the shelters and rescues she is deeply passionate about supporting. 3% of the purchase price (excluding shipping and taxes) supports shelter and rescue pets. Learn more at www.zakity.com.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian regarding specific health concerns or conditions affecting your pet.

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