6 Causes of Dog Nail Breakage: Understanding the Reason

Today's article invites us to uncover the truth behind cracked dog nails.

Let's not overlook the seemingly trivial first truth: length matters. Now, take a look at your furry friend's paws. Are their nails overdue for a trim? Long nails not only prone to cracking but can also trap a dog's foot in objects, potentially leading to dire consequences.

Horror story witnessed firsthand: A person took their dog to a supermarket, where the dog was on the store's elevator. Just as it was about to step out, the Poodle's excessively long nails got caught, thanks to a passerby pressing the stop button. Unfortunately, the Poodle had to undergo surgery to amputate a necrotic finger.

While this is an isolated incident, it serves as a cautionary tale. Overlong nails indeed pose many safety risks.

Playtime

Can dogs play and accidentally hurt each other? It's rare, unless play escalates into a fight. However, during play, dogs can easily cause minor mishaps, such as nails breaking due to excessive force. Whether the nails are too long or too short, they can crack during play. Rest assured, a quick application of止血 powder should suffice.

Fungi

It's true; fungi can cause dog nails to crack. Dogs, besides excessively licking their paws, can experience fragile and brittle nails due to fungi damaging the nail bed's foundation.

Nail Bed Tumors

This condition is rare, typically affecting dogs over 10 years old. The first sign of nail bed tumors is brittle nails, followed by bleeding, limping, and ulcers when the tumor spreads to the entire paw. Early detection and treatment are crucial, as many nail bed tumors may eventually require partial finger amputation. However, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs adapt quickly to this change.

Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy

It's a mouthful, but essentially, it's the immune system treating the nails as enemies. In the early stages, a dog's nails may fall out entirely, becoming dry and brittle before they do, as the immune system stops providing all necessary nutrients to the nails. Thankfully, there are effective treatments available in our country, so seek medical attention promptly.

Nutrition Deficiency

This is the most common issue and the focal point of today's article. Just like humans, an imbalanced diet can lead to various problems. Both human and dog nails are composed of keratin. Therefore:

Expensive dog food isn't always the best; what matters most is finding the right fit for your pet. More isn't always better; a balanced diet with a variety of vegetables and fruits is the way to go.