Nails trimming of Italian Greyhound

An Italian Greyhounds nails are important parts of their anatomy. A long nail causes the bones in the foot to flatten and to sit more angled. The different angle of the bones when pressure is applied causes joint stress and can lead to joint pain and to an increased probability of leg breaks. It also leads to dropped wrists which make the dog look flat-footed.

As we know broken legs are a known problem for Italian Greyhounds, and that’s why keeping your Iggy’s nails trimmed is very important. And since IGs and other Sighthounds nails grow more quickly than most other breeds, it’s easy for them to get too long.

IGs usually need their nails trimmed every two weeks. Long daily walks can help wear down nails and increase the time between trimmings, but not much. 

Many owners are afraid to cut their dogs nails by themselves, but it’s not so scary as they think. My dogs are used to this procedure from puppy age and I have a lot of experience (if roughly calculated I already clipped around 50 thousand nails). However, most owners will need assistance to hold the dog during the nail-clipping procedure. 

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cut nails of your Italian Greyhound:

1. Choose the right tools: Use a pair of dog nail clippers or a grinder specifically designed for dogs. Despite the Italian Greyhound being considered a small breed, they have quite strong thick nails, so I recommend buying nail clippers for medium breeds. Avoid using human nail clippers as they may cause discomfort or injury to your Italian Greyhound.

2. Familiarize your dog: Introduce the clippers or grinder to your Italian Greyhound before attempting to trim their nails. Let them sniff and investigate the tools to help them get accustomed to them.

3. Observe the nails: Examine your dog's nails and determine where the quick is located. The quick is the pink part within the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. You should avoid cutting into the quick, as it can cause bleeding and pain.

4. Gradual trimming: Start by trimming a very small amount of the nail at a time. This is especially important if your dog has long nails, as the quick may have grown longer as well. Regular trimming can help the quick recede over time.

5. Use proper technique: Hold your Italian Greyhound's paw gently but securely. If using clippers, make straight, quick cuts with a steady hand, avoiding the quick. If using a grinder, turn it on and gradually grind the nail back, taking breaks to avoid overheating the nail.

6. Be cautious with dark nails: If your dog has dark nails, it may be more challenging to see the quick. In this case, trim small amounts of the tip at a time to ensure you don't cut too far.

7. Stay calm and reward: Remain calm and confident during the process. Speak softly and provide treats or praise after each successful trim to help associate nail trimming with positive experiences.

8. Monitor for bleeding: If you accidentally cut into the quick and it starts bleeding, apply any disinfectant  (chlorhexidine, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide ...), in case if there is nothing on hand - your perfume water will do :) Spray the disinfectant on a cotton pad, apply it to the nail, and hold until the blood stops.

Remember, if you're unsure about trimming your Italian Greyhound's nails, you can always seek guidance from a professional groomer or your veterinarian.

Unfortunately, it is easy to overlook this basic grooming. Many Italian Greyhounds I meet or see in photos and videos on Instagram have too long nails. I see how owners love them, but often they don’t even know that they need to clip their IGs nails regularly. 

My first dog was a Labrador Retriever and I never clipped his nails. This breed, like many other breeds, has a genetically “cat foot” with short fingers and nails. And since we walked a lot with my Labrador it was enough to wear his nails down. 

Italian Greyhounds like other Sighthounds genetically have “hare foot” - with long strong fingers and nails. They need such foot structure for maneuverability in pursuit of the game, which often and abruptly changes direction. 

For the same reason, sighthounds nails should never be clipped such shortly as other breeds. Even ideally clipped IG nails will still look longer than other breeds. This often misleads people who are not familiar with the characteristics of the breed, among which there are also many veterinarians and groomers (many of them told me that my IGs needed nail cut although their nails were in perfect shape).