Nail tips cracking off?

[Erin]

Ok, this has happened to us a couple times, but I'm wondering if its happened to anyone else. Every once in a while, I'll find a piece of Hershey's nail on the ground, not a big piece, but its as if the end of the nail just came off, with a bit of the outer layer of the rest of the nail. She's never really "complained" of foot pain, but she HATES it when I try to cut her nails... I usually have them done at a groomers or the vets.

She walks on pavement everyday, because we live in town, so her nails don't look overgrown and curled down. But they do look a little torn up at the ends, like pieces are chipped.
Is there something wrong with her toenails or am I just being paranoid? Any one else's dogs lose the tips of their nails? Is it just like when a human breaks a nail?

[F, Calla & Luca]

My dogs frequently have raggedy nail tips similar to what you describe but i haven't found pieces of the nails around. I think what you are describing sounds normal.

[Denise U]

This happens to me too. Sometimes one of my doodles also likes to chew on her nails when they get to a certain length... that's when I know it's time for a clipping. But before I get to her, they do get a little torn up on the ends.

[Azure & Muppet]

I don't know. I wonder if it might be linked to a nutritional cause perhaps? Just a guess.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

sounds like they are too long and natural walking and playing are breaking them off. If you can hear your dog walking on hard surfaces (tile, hardwood, pavement) then her nails are too long.

Even if your dog doesn't like it her nails should be trimmed weekly

[2da7eiv7vjvht]

weekly nail trims? I did not realize that. Our dog has the torn ends as well, but it does not seem to bother him at all. Is there a certain lenght that the nails should be trimmed to?

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

we keep ours as short as possible and trim every week as part of their weekly grooming session (coat brush, ear clean and nails).

No my dogs love it but they will sit for me to do it and get nice treats after.


you shouldnt be able to hear the nail click on the floor, if you can it is too long

[Azure & Muppet]

I agree, breaking is probably due to the nails being too long. This is good advice that's been given. If you can hear their nails click on the floor when they walk, they need to be trimmed shorter. I think it's better to do more frequent shorter nail trims, instead of doing less frequent big ones because (1) the dog will become more accustomed to accepting it, and (2) it will be less painful to keep the quick back. If you let the nails grow long, the quick is more likely to get cut and bleed, which is painful for the dog. They'll be more likely to struggle and resist if it hurts!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think that running in the snow has something to do with this. Jack had the the same thing happen last week, and it was immediately after playing ball in the yard. Maybe plowing through the deep heavy snow puts pressure on the nails?

[F, Calla & Luca]

there is a really good site on dremeling nails . each time this subject comes up I vow to do better but having extra arms would help : ) I do think the site originator gets a little carried away but it's helpful. Look under the topic list on the left.
http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/index.html