Nail Maintenance

One of the most important things about owning a whippet is nail maintenance. Being light footed, they don’t wear them down naturally so nails need attention every 10 days or so. That might sound a lot, especially in comparison to other breeds you may have owned, but just as you keep your own nails tidy then so you should your Whippet’s. Long nails change the shape of a Whippet’s foot and posture and can even cause dislocated or broken toes. Imagine trying to wear shoes having never cut your toe nails and how painful that would be.

Sighthounds can also be prone to painful corns and these can be caused by over-long nails amongst other things. An article specifically about sighthound corns will be published soon.

Sadly, too many breeders don’t explain to new puppy owners just how important nail maintenance is or show them how to trim them properly.

If, when you get your new puppy home it has sharp pointed tips to its nails, give it a couple of days to settle and then get out your own nail clippers or you can use a pair of cat nail clippers. When he or she is tired and relaxed, put your puppy on your knee like a baby and just take off those sharp tips.

If, once your puppy is a little older, you feel you can’t do them yourself then ask a groomer but this is the time to build up your own skill and confidence. Groomers are generally much more experienced at doing nails than your vet. Many vets will say your Whippet’s nails are fine when they aren’t, simply because they don’t know what length is correct for a Whippet or they don’t have the technique of doing them correctly.

These are correct length nails.

It is equally important to keep a Whippet’s dew claws short and tidy as if allowed to become too long, they may get caught and torn off whilst the Whippet is running at high speed – a painful injury. 

A poor nail clipping session can easily put a dog off for life.  I use scissor clippers but some people prefer a rotary grinding tool. Clippers and grinding tools can be easily found to buy online.  A metal nail file is also a useful tool to have at home.

Pet specific nail grinders are not as effective as a Dremel or other small DIY rotary tools.

Guillotine clippers are best avoided as you have less precision.

You might also want to keep in a small supply of styptic powder as at some point you may cut the “quick” by accident.