Click, Click, Click… It’s annoying to hear that all day long, isn’t it? In this article, we will look at five ways to keep your dog’s nails from clicking and clacking on the floor.
Dogs may or may not click their nails on the floor depending on how fast they move, the type of the floor, their weight, and the length of their nails. Claw coverings, dog socks or boots, carpets and rugs, and regular clipping are the best methods to avoid this noise.
Cutting nails is only sometimes an option, as the nails should be at a safe length. So, consider reading all our methods below to check out your options.
Are Dogs’ Nails Supposed to Click on the Floor?
Your dog’s nails may make a “click” sound as they walk, even if trimmed or filed frequently.
Even if your dog’s nails don’t touch the floor when standing upright, they may click. It is possible to prevent this from happening. But it’s more challenging than you think!
Dogs’ nails aren’t necessarily supposed to click on the floor as they walk. Some do, and some don’t. Clicking alone isn’t a sign that the nails are overgrown.
This clicking may depend on several factors.
1. How Fast They Move
When your dog moves, this “click” sound usually depends on how fast they move. The quicker they move, the louder the noise.
You may not hear anything when the dog is only sauntering around the house.
2. The Type of Surface
This noise usually depends on the type of surface and their grip upon it. The more slippery the floor, the louder the noise. This is because dogs deliberately use their nails as an extra grip on slippery surfaces.
This is why this noise is louder when your dog walks on wood or tile floors.
3. Weight
The noise also depends on your dog’s breed. When a considerable weight is applied to the paws, the nails hit the ground with greater force and thus make a louder sound.
Thus, there is a higher likelihood of click-clacking from medium- or large-breed dogs.
4. Nail Length
Although this sounds obvious, the noise also depends on the length of the nails. Sometimes the nails are overgrown and need to be attended to.
Also, certain dog breeds carry longer nails. For example, terrier breeds tend to have longer nails than others.
Breeds like Boxers and Labrador Retrievers tend to have short nails. But even a dog with short nails may click when walking around the house.
How You Can Keep Dog Nails From Clicking on the Floor
Now that you know the reasons for the noise, let’s read about five proven ways to avoid this problem.
1. Use Claw Coverings
Consider using claw coverings if you properly maintain your dog’s nails but still hear clicking sounds as they walk.
If you buy claw coverings, purchase ones with soft nail caps, which reduce the click sound more.
Besides noise reduction, these caps can also save your furniture and floors from scratches — a perfect solution for destructive scratchers.
Moreover, these claw coverings can ensure your dog’s safety by creating an extra grip on slippery surfaces such as polished or newly waxed floors.
2. Use Doggy Socks or Boots
Another good solution for this clicking noise is doggy socks or boots. If you’d prefer dog socks or boots, consider buying a non-slippery pair.
3. Use Carpets or Rugs
If you want to stop your dog’s nails from clicking on the floor, consider investing in rugs and carpets. They are perfect for covering busy areas to avoid this annoying noise.
Even if you have to spend some money, carpets and rugs are quick and effective solutions. They also protect hardwood floors from scratches.
Consider that rugs and carpets may end up costing less when it comes to your flooring.
4. Trimming or Filing Correctly
As I mentioned earlier, the longer the nails, the louder the noise. As a rule, dogs’ nails should be trimmed or filed once every four weeks.
However, this depends on each breed and individual dog. So, it would be best if you came to learn the right frequency of when to file their nails.
Moreover, being aware of some anatomical information, particularly in your dog’s nails and feet, is extremely important. You don’t want to unintentionally reach the nail “quicks” (the center of the nails, where the nerves and blood supply are). Try to be conservative as possible.
As discussed earlier, nails should not touch the floor when your dog stands upright. If they do, please file or clip them.
Another important thing to consider when filing or clipping is that your dog’s nails shouldn’t be sharp.
Moreover, Frequent clicking on the floor can harm the dog’s paw and leg. This is because it causes them to shift their weight and center of gravity unnaturally to the back of their paws.
This solution only applies if your dog’s nails are long enough to curl. However, if you properly maintain your dog’s nails, consider looking into an alternative cut line. Doing so will reduce the noise to some extent.
But more than cutting or trimming the part that touches the floor is required. Consider trimming the roof and sides of the nails to decrease the likelihood of the quicks receding.
Additionally, grinding the nails instead of clipping them will help you make the dog nails with rounded edges.
5. Calm Your Dog
This noise is hard to wipe out entirely. However, consider training your dogs to be gentle inside the house.
Teach your dog how to stay calm and walk without jogging or running. Running around without a care in the world can be destructive and obnoxious.
My dogs get plenty of exercise in the morning. So, by the time they get back indoors, they’re so tired that they wander around the house calmly throughout the rest of the day and sometimes sleep until the evening exercise session.
I still hear several clicks occasionally, but It’s not such a big deal.
By the way, here is an article on when your dog’s nails pop air mattresses.
Things to Be Aware Of
Here are several things you need to be aware of.
Discuss with your vet: If you need clarification on appropriate nail length, consider discussing with your vet and seeking advice on how to file or trim them correctly.
Don’t make them too short: If your dog’s nails click on the floor, only attempt to shorten them if they are overgrown.
Observe how your dog walks: Be sure to pay attention to how your dog walks, as long nails can cause pain and changes in walking style. Walking with too-long nails is just as torturous as humans wearing too-small shoes.
Dogs walking on rough sidewalks: If your dog always walks on rough sidewalks, the time between each nail filing session can be lengthened, as uneven surfaces work as natural nail files.
Conclusion
In summary, the clicking sound of your dog’s nails on the floor can be a frustrating problem for many pet owners. Throughout this article, we have explored four common causes of this issue and provided five practical tips to help you prevent it from happening. We hope these insights have helped address this problem and restore peace to your home.
