Nail Trimming: Which Dogs Need It Most, and Why So Many Hate It
About one UK dog in 18 has its nails clipped at the vet each year. Which breeds need it most, why it's stressful, and what the evidence can't tell you.
Written by thecanineledger
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A nail that is broken, bleeding and won’t stop, or curling into the pad needs a vet visit. Don’t try to cut a nail that has grown into the skin yourself.
Our note: This advice is ours. The UK study lists overgrown or ingrown nails and broken claws as common reasons for vet nail clips, but gives no owner advice.
In a year of UK vet records covering more than 2.2 million dogs, “The 1‐year proportion of nail clipping was 5.64%” (Ahmed et al., Journal of Small Animal Practice 2025). That’s about one dog in 18, and it counts only clips done at the vet.
While nail trimming sounds like the simplest job in dog care, the evidence behind the usual advice is thin. We found no study on how often to trim, or on the best technique. This page sets out what the data does show: which dogs need help most, why many dogs find it stressful, and what to ask your vet.
1. Which dogs need it most
Some breeds. Compared with crossbreeds (not counting designer crosses), the dogs with the highest odds of a vet nail clip were the Chihuahua, the beagle and the Greyhound. Each had about twice the odds.
Young adults, not old dogs. Dogs aged 1 to 2 had the highest odds. The authors note that this “does not align with some previously proposed theories that older dogs should need more frequent nail clipping”.
Why breeds differ is unclear. The authors suggest nail quality and exercise may play a part. They note that a hound’s drive to exercise, “when these exercise needs remain unmet”, may contribute. That’s a hypothesis, not a finding.
Our note: “Walking on hard ground wears nails down” is a common claim. The study discusses exercise only as a possible explanation.
2. Why dogs see the vet for nails
Mostly just for the clip. Nail clipping was “the primary reason for veterinary visits in 59.4% of events”.
When there was a medical reason, the commonest were “overgrown or ingrown nails (12.66%) and broken claws or dewclaws (8.84%)”.
Dewclaws matter. Dewclaws were the only nails clipped in 11.39% of events. The authors say this “may suggest that special priority should be given to dewclaw care”. Dewclaws sit higher on the leg and don’t touch the ground, so they don’t wear down.
Our note: “They don’t touch the ground, so they don’t wear down” is our explanation, not the study’s.
3. Why so many dogs hate it
It’s often frightening. An Australian survey of 242 vet team members found that “Nail clipping can cause fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in dogs and cats and possibly long-term aversion to veterinary care.” Dogs “frequently displayed FAS” in 72.4% of responses (Chen et al., Veterinary Sciences 2026).
Staff get hurt too. “Most respondents (79.8%, n = 193/242) reported being injured while performing nail clipping.”
Some clips may not be needed. Respondents “reported feeling pressure to persevere with nail clipping when it was unnecessary or when animals exhibited severe FAS.”
What helped. The staff most often rated treats and counter-conditioning, calming medicines given before the visit, and desensitisation as the most useful ways to reduce a dog’s stress. Counter-conditioning means pairing the handling with something the dog likes. Desensitisation means building up slowly, starting with touching the paws.
4. At home: what we can and can’t tell you
We found no study of home trimming technique. There’s no published evidence we could find on how short to cut, how often, or whether clippers or grinders are better.
What follows is common practice, not evidence.
- Get your dog used to having its paws handled, a little at a time, with treats.
- Cut a small amount at a time. Each nail has a living core, often called the quick, that bleeds if cut.
- Stop if your dog is becoming distressed. You can finish another day.
- If your dog is very frightened, ask your vet about the options. The survey staff suggested sedation, calming medicines before the visit, or clipping when the dog is sedated for something else.
Our note: These four points are common practice, not drawn from the studies. Our description of the quick isn’t sourced.
→ The Everyday Care Most Dogs Need, and the Rules of Thumb Nobody Can Source · → Anal Glands: Which Dogs Have Problems, and Should They Be Expressed?
5. What we could not verify
| Commonly said | What we found |
|---|---|
| “Trim every few weeks” | No source. We found no study on how often to trim. |
| “You should hear nails clicking on the floor if they’re too long” | No source. We found no study testing this. |
| “Old dogs need their nails done most” | Not in the UK data. Dogs aged 1 to 2 had the highest odds of a vet clip. |
| “Walking on pavements keeps nails short” | Unproven. One study suggests exercise may matter, as a hypothesis. |
| “Grinders are safer than clippers” | No source. We found no comparison. |
| “Nail clips are no big deal for dogs” | Not for many dogs. Vet staff reported frequent fear and stress. |
Sources
- Ahmed LA, Somarriba M, Brodbelt DC, et al. Epidemiology and clinical management of nail clipping in dogs under UK primary veterinary care. J Small Anim Pract 2025: cross-sectional study of VetCompass records, 2,440 cases. Funded by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and a pet insurer
- Chen A, Hall E, Bennington LN, et al. “One of the Hardest Things I Have to Do in the Clinic”: A Survey of Veterinary Team Members’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Nail Clipping. Vet Sci 2026: survey, 242 Australian vet team members. No external funding
Always confirm with your vet before acting on anything on this page.