Atlas Grooming and Care

Why nail care is important:

“So how’d you get started on doing this?” Is a question I get asked at virtually every first appointment I have with new clients.

I rescued Atlas in 2017, after he had spent two years living as a stray and in a shelter. During those two years, with minimal (if any) grooming, Atlas’s nails grew incredibly long. In late 2018 my mom mentioned the length, and I began researching grooming and the dangers of not taking care of these small details.

So let’s talk dangers of overgrown nails.

First it’s important to understand the anatomy of your dogs nail. What we can see is a hard layer of keratin which surrounds your dog’s quick; a bundle of nerve endings which connects to the bone (VCA). While cutting down the keratin does not harm the dog, cutting or exposing the quick can be extremely painful.

When nails are too long, they push back again the ground into the nail bed which causes pain. Your animal will eventually begin to change their posture and gait or their feet will become splayed. This splaying or change in posture and gait can open your dog up to numerous injuries (AKC)

Long nails are also more susceptible to cracks and breaks, which can remove the keratin shell from the quick (as pictured below), exposing it to the elements. This injury can cause pain or infection if left untreated, which can effect the bone attached to said quick (VCA)

VCA: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-broken-nails-in-dogs
AKC: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/nail-neglect-can-lead-to-health-problems-for-your-dog/

With graduation right around the corner for me, I’m looking into some grooming programs so I can offer full service grooming (hair cuts, a**l glands, tooth brushing, etc) from the comfort of home! Stay tuned for more services to come! 😊