Dry and brittle nails are one of the most common nail problems in dogs.
The condition ‘onychorrhexis,' which is common in dogs, causes brittle nails.
Because they bear their entire body weight on their paws and nail, your small animal is particularly vulnerable to this problem.
Most of the time, you'll notice your nails breaking easily while grooming or clipping them.
While brittle nails in dogs are often a symptom of specific nail or nail bed disorders caused by infection, disease, or injury to the nails, they can also be linked to your dog's busy lifestyle.
It also includes digging holes and scratching posts.
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What can I offer my dog if his nails are brittle?
Biotin supplement.
Supplementation can aid in the treatment of brittle nails as well as the maintenance of healthy nails.
It is like fish oil that helps humans and dogs have healthier, stronger hair and nails.
Brittle Nails in Dogs: What Causes Them?
The following are some of the causes of brittle nails in dogs:
Long nails can create brittleness in your dog's nail, and if they aren't cut on a regular basis, they can become brittle and cause significant harm during exercise or other activities.
Clipping your dog nail should be done with caution because it could cause harm, irritation, pain, or infection to its veins and skin.
Fungal Infection : Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that occurs in the claw folds or around the nail bed.
Frequent licking of the dog's paw, brittle nails, and swelling in the feet are all symptoms of the ailment.
To detect a fungal infection or nail fungus, a skin scraping may be necessary.
Her fungal infections could be the result of some immune-suppressing drugs she was taking.
To treat the condition, antifungal medication has been suggested.
Paw licking, lameness, foot soreness, edema and inflammation of the surrounding tissues, and aberrant nail color are some of the other symptoms of nail infections or illnesses affecting the nails.
Injuries : Injuries to the nails can be painful for dogs and may result to nail disorder or split nails, particularly those with long nails.
When a dog's nails aren't trimmed using nail trimmer, they can split or be a broken nail during intense exercise or activity, as well as when the dog isn't used to stepping on a hard surface.
Regular nail clipping with specially designed nail trimmers is essential for your dog's health and well-being.
Yeast Infections : Candida albicans yeast, which dwells in your pet's body and thrives and develops by consuming sugar and fats, causes canine yeast infection.
They cause health problems in dogs by affecting their immune system, mouth, nose, ears, gastrointestinal, and vaginal systems.
Allergies, vaginal and bladder infections, and skin issues are just a few of the issues that might arise.
While a healthy dog with a strong immune system may be able to fight off the illness, a dog with a weak immune system may develop a number of health problems.
Yeast infections in dogs can cause allergies, constipation, ear infections, itching, skin rashes, and a variety of other canine health problems, in addition to brittle and dry nails.
Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy: This immune-mediated disease causes dry, brittle nails in dogs.
An overactive immune system causes the sickness, which destroys the nails and nail beds.
As a result, the nail splits and breaks, and the wound never heals.
Twisted claws, hurting paws, secondary infection, and lameness are some of the other Lupoid Onychodystrophy symptoms.
To diagnose the condition, a claw biopsy is required.
Treatment would include essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements such as fish oil, vitamin A treatment, and antibiotic treatment with doxycycline and niacinamide once the veterinarian has confirmed a correct diagnosis.
In some cases, removing claws is necessary to alleviate discomfort.
The dog breed most susceptible to the disease are Rottweilers and Greyhounds.
Dog nail bed tumors cause damage to the nail matrix, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and melanin-producing cells.
These tumors cause brittle nails, as well as tumor-like growth on the nail bed, limping, bleeding, and ulcerations.
Cytology and tissue biopsy are used to diagnose the disease because it is easily confused with bone inflammation or nail infections.
Amputation of the digits to prevent the tumor from repeating is the treatment for malignant development.
Inadequate Nutrition: Dogs, like humans, require a well-balanced diet to be healthy from head to toe.
A dog's nutrition may be compromised if he is not provided high-quality dog food, resulting in brittle nails, a dull coat, dry or oily skin, and other issues.
Food intolerance can cause a dog's inability to absorb nutrients, resulting in inadequate nourishment.
If your dog has an upset stomach, frail nails, a dull robe, or a combination of these symptoms, take him to the veterinarian for an inspection.
Hard Play: When dogs play rough, their nails are frequently broken.
When intense play is mixed with nail growth, the perfect recipe for cracked or broken nails is generated.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to do much more than try to maintain your dog's nails as short as possible.
Brittle Nails Aren't Just a Pain in the Neck
Brittle nails are more than just a pain in the neck.
Anything from a shortage of nutrients to cancers in the nail bed might cause them.
Take your dog to the vet right away if his nails are brittle, cracked, or otherwise odd.
Your veterinarian can help you get relief from the pain of brittle nails and figure out what's causing the condition.
Brittle Nail Remedy for Dogs:
Here are some home remedies for dogs with brittle nails that will certainly benefit their health:
Nail Trimming
It is critical to trim your dog's nails on a regular basis to avoid unpleasant problems such as brittle nails.
It's time to clip its nails when they come into contact with the ground.
When clipping, always use a high-quality professional clipper and be firm.
A Well-Balanced Diet
Dog food must have vitamin E, gelatin, biotin, zinc, and fatty acids, among other nutrients.
If you create your dog's food at home, it must be approved by a veterinarian to provide a balanced diet.
Walks on Rough Terrain
You can keep your dog's nails from becoming brittle by taking them for long walks on sidewalks, which will cut their nails naturally.
It's perfect for dogs who despise having their nails clipped.
The therapies suggested above will help you prevent brittle nails in your dog to some extent.
It's a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about your treatment options in the future!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What causes brittle nails in dogs?
Split nails can be an indication of malnutrition, so talk to your vet about your dog's diet to make sure he's getting enough.
Maintaining his paws' cleanliness can assist to limit the chance of infection, which can lead to nail damage.
Broken and split nails are a result of a terrible combination of overgrown nails and harsh play.
What deficiency does brittle nails indicate?
To produce strong nails, the body uses a variety of nutrients.
One of the most prevalent nutritional deficiencies that leads to split nails is iron deficiency.
Proteins and B vitamins are also necessary for the body to develop strong, healthy nails.
How often should you clip your dog's nails?
The frequency with which your dog's nails should be cut is totally up to her.
Trimming monthly, on the other hand, is a good idea as a general rule.
“Most dogs' nails should be clipped once a month,” Easton explains.
“Unless they put them through a lot of concrete wear and tear.”