Why do we have to cut dog toenails? What happens to the toenails of wild dogs?

Even domestic dogs’ nail length can be controlled to some degree by taking walksies, because activity wears them down as they grow. Wild canines are a lot more active than domestic couch puppies.

Maybe they got worn down by all the rough terrain they were walking on? We could look at wolves and find out what happens to theirs.

@laureth and @janbb I thought the same thing, but my dogs are search dogs and run around in the woods and on rough terrain on a very regular basis with no obvious effect on their toenail growth. I have seen my German Shepherd bit his nails and wondered about that too . . .

Wild dogs cover huge amounts of ground looking for food. Their nails are worn down by that. Pets get their food delivered to them.

I think even the most active of domestic (home kept) dogs does not compare to the activity level of wild dogs and wolves.

Yes, wild dogs cover large territories hunting, and dig and use their paws more than domestics. Same with domestic vs. wild horse breeds. Domestic horses kept confined in stalls or small paddocks need their hooves trimmed every 8 weeks. Also, the wild big cats and bears, often resort to attacking humans when their teeth and claws are compromised by old age. Worn down teeth and claws or are the number one way that older animals die in the wild, being unable to successfully hunt.

It is clear the wild dogs will wear there nails down, but it is also true that people have a low tolerance for their click, click, click as they walk across a wood or tile floor. So a lot of people trim their nails for there own peace of mind.

When he’s indoors a lot, I have to trim his nails as they get too long and cause everyone (including him) problems. When he’s outdoors and running and digging and playing, the nails wear down and I don’t have to cut them.

Feral canids wear their nails down, Digging and rocky terrain especially act as files. But, even in zoos they will tend to need trimming as they aren’t as active hunting, denning, etc.

Cats’ nails are different from dogs, BTW. Cat nails shed a layer every now and then, which the cats help complete by biting them off and discarding the sheaths. Some people clip cat nails, but usually that is just to reduce the amount of damage done by the cat.