Nail Length + Your Pet’s Musculoskeletal System

Some of you might be thinking, a whole post on nail trims… really? 😜 But, nail length might be one of the most overlooked aspects of musculoskeletal health in pets, dogs especially!

A paw is filled with thousands of nerve endings and is responsible for a whole lot more than just walking… posture, proprioception, body strength, and stability to name just a few! When a dog’s nails are long and they aren’t able to use the full face of their pad, a whole cascade of neurological events happen!

👉 a decrease in the toe’s range of motion leads to a decrease in strength and function of the forelimbs

👉 a decrease in proprioception or the brain’s ability to tell where the body is in space- where the ground is, what type of surface they’re on, etc.

👉 a decrease in stability- when the nails are long it causes the knee to always be bent, which causes the patella to not engage in the proper groove like it’s supposed to. This can lead to problems or tears in the knee or compensation pattens that eventually affect other parts of the body

👉 poor posture- dogs carry roughly 60% of their body weight on their front legs. When nails are long, dogs are forced to rock backwards. Not only does this affect the front limb musculature, but it also affects the muscles and joints of the head and neck.

We recommend trimming your pups nails every 3-4 weeks! Not sure if your pup is due for a nail trim or not? Try sliding a credit card under the tips of your pet’s nails while they’re standing. If you can’t, it’s definitely time for a nail trim! 🐕

If you’re noticing funky gait patterns in your pet, one of the cheapest and easiest things to try at home is a simple nail trim!