Dry and brittle dog nails is a common condition, not unusually caused by the nails having grown too long. The problem with dry and brittle dog nails is that they easily get damaged and they also tend to split and crack when they are being trimmed.
However, with dry dog nails it’s particularly important that they are regularly trimmed or the condition of the nail may continue to deteriorate.
Always Grind or File Dry and Brittle Nails
By using an electric dog nail grinder or a dog nail file to trim brittle dog nails you can gently trim the nail without the risk of causing breakage. If your dog’s nail is already split never use pliers style clippers or a guillotine trimmer as the risk of further damage is far to great.
While the electric grinder automatically files in one direction only, if you use a dog nail file you must remember to do the same. Never file your dog’s nails in a backward-forward motion.
Diseases That May Cause Dry and Brittle Nails
There are a number of reasons why your dog may have brittle nails, including immune related diseases, fungal and yeast infections, bacterial infection and tumors in the nail bed. Always check with your vet to ensure your dog is not suffering from any illness.
Nutrition
However, dry and brittle dog nails are often due to your dog not getting enough of certain minerals or vitamins. This is particularly so for older dogs as metabolism slows down with age and their nutrient absorption is often reduced.
Salmon oil is an excellent remedy that will help improve not only your dog’s nails, but the condition of the skin, coat, heart and joints as well as the immune system. Salmon oil contains important omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that will ameliorate the quality of the nails and help them retain moisture.
Another dietary supplement which is known to have good effect on dry dog nails is zink. In addition, zink will improve cell production in skin, coat and pads.
What to Do if Your Dog has Dry and Brittle Nails
- Take your dog to the vet to ensure there is no underlying illness.
- Improve the condition of your dog’s nails by giving your dog a daily dose of salmon oil and zink
- Always file your dog’s nails either with a grinder or a dog nail file. Remember to always file in one direction only.
- If your dog has any kind of nail infection make sure to clean and disinfect the nail file or the sanding drum. You also need to change the sanding bands after each use.
- Avoid using the same nail trimmer on a dog with an infection as on other healthy dogs.