Dog nail caps are actually not very practical

Dog supplies are incredibly varied nowadays; even dogs’ nails can be armored. Many owners like to put nail caps on their dogs not only because they look nice, but also to prevent scratching furniture or injuring themselves. However, is it really necessary to put nail caps on dogs?

1. Choosing Dog Nail Caps

Dog nail caps come in many colors, but this does not really matter to dogs. It mainly satisfies our own preferences, so we usually choose the colors we like. However, the size of the nail caps is very important: if they are too small, they won’t fit; if they are too big, they are easy to fall off. So, if you don’t know your dog’s nail size very well (it’s basically impossible to estimate accurately), it’s better to take your dog to the store to try them on before buying.

2. Common Reactions When Dogs Wear Nail Caps

In fact, dogs are not very comfortable wearing nail caps because they create a strong foreign body sensation. If the dog feels uncomfortable, it is very likely to try to remove them, and some dogs may even swallow them.

3. Disadvantages of Nail Caps

1. Nail caps may cause dogs' nails to grow faster: This is theoretically analyzed. Because when dogs walk and exercise daily, their nails get worn down accordingly. You may notice dogs’ hind nails are usually shorter than the front ones because their walking posture causes more wear on the hind nails. However, once nail caps are on, the nails no longer get worn down, so naturally they seem to grow faster. This is one of the disadvantages.

Regularly trim your dog’s nails 　　

2. Because they are initially unfamiliar, dogs often chew the nail caps, which are easily damaged: When there is a strange object stuck to their nails, the dog’s instinct is to remove it, either by licking or biting. Dogs’ paws tend to have issues, and this raises the chance of problems, so it’s best to avoid if possible.

Some owners want to solve the problem of dogs scratching people by using nail caps. But the real pain from dog scratches is due to sharp nails. If you trim your dog’s nails in time and file the tips smooth, this problem is less likely to happen. Actually, nail caps can’t completely solve the pain problem from dog scratches, and the main concern is the dog chewing. It is more problematic if the dog swallows the caps; even though they are small, they might cause intestinal discomfort.

Based on these situations, I personally feel that nail caps are more about appearance and have limited practical use. They mainly satisfy the owner’s curiosity and aesthetics. Of course, owners can try them out to satisfy curiosity, but for long-term use, you must regularly trim your dog’s nails and prevent chewing and swallowing.