Dogs who regularly walk on pavement and cats who routinely use scratching posts don’t need to have their nails trimmed.
Answer: False
Although walking on pavement smooths nails and using scratching posts prevents hooked, pointy claws, neither is a substitute for regular nail trims because both leave nails too long. Running, which requires pushing off with the back legs, may be sufficient to grind down the hind leg nails of very active dogs, but even these dogs will still need their front nails routinely trimmed.
And don’t forget those dewclaws! Dewclaws are our pets’ “thumbs.” Some pets have no dewclaws, and others have one—or even two!—per paw. These special toes don’t contact the ground at all, so no amount or running or scratching stops them from growing longer, sometimes even into the pad.
How often nails should be trimmed varies from pet to pet, but most will need a pedicure every few weeks. Keeping your pet’s nails short will make your furry friend more comfortable while also preventing injuries like torn nails.
