Does My Dog Need to be Declawed?
Declawing is an extremely serious and rare procedure that can cause severe pain for your dog. However, one condition where declawing might be considered is with serious recurring nail bed infections. Does your dog constantly lick their paws? Do they have difficulty walking? Can you see your dog is suffering from visible pain? Is there swelling or redness of the tissue surrounding the nails? Is the nail an abnormal color? These could be symptoms of a nail bed disorder or infection.
A number of things can cause nail bed problems of this type. Infection, whether bacterial or fungal, can be at the root of the problem. Similarly, tumors, cancer, and trauma can all cause nail bed disorders. There is also the possibility that an immune system disease or excessive levels of growth hormones have caused the problems.
Your vet can diagnose your dog’s nail bed condition. After undertaking a physical examination, your vet may take a skin scraping, plus a bacterial or fungal culture for detailed analysis. In some cases, a biopsy may be suggested to see the extent of the infection in the bone. Seeing the vet is essential, as a number of related conditions may require action.
If your dog has a medical condition such as an infection in the nail beds, declawing may be an option. It is important to look out for signs that your dog may have this sort of infection so that you can take him to be checked by the vet and appropriate treatment can be arranged which may include declawing depending on the severity of the condition. If your dog seems to be walking with difficulty, limping, or refusing to walk, you need to make sure you check all of his paws for signs of any infection. This could include swelling and redness around the claw area.
It basically involves removing each of the animal’s toes at the initial joint, which is essentially amputation. This is why this procedure is considered so unethical and cruel other than in situations where the animal would suffer without having this procedure carried out. Because of the pain that it can cause, dogs should never be declawed simply for the convenience of the owner – only ever for medical reasons!
There are various additional signs that may indicate that your dog has an infection that could warrant having him declawed. He may be off his food as a result of his discomfort and you may find him hiding away rather than being in the midst of the family, as this is something that many cats and dogs do if they are unwell.
You will notice certain signs that your pooch may have a medical condition that affects his feet and nails, and this is often displayed in his body language. Your dog will generally be subdued and withdrawn as a result of the pain but some may show aggression because of how they are feeling. His tail and ears may be down and you may notice him limping or struggling to walk as a result of the infection. You may also find that your dog shies away from going outside or for walks despite having no problem with it in the past or spends a lot of time licking his paws.
However, when it comes to dogs, many do not even entertain the idea of declawing despite the fact that dogs can also damage furniture, flooring, and injure people because of their claws. If you are wondering whether dogs can be declawed, the answer is yes, they can. However, declawing in dogs should not be done for reasons other than medical ones, such as infections that are affecting the paws.
What Can You Do to Avoid Claw-Related Problems?
So, if you can’t have your dog’s claws removed, what can you do to help limit the pain and destruction they inflict on you and your belongings?
So glad you asked. There are four basic strategies for coping with these issues:
Trimming your dog’s nails is the easiest and most straightforward way to solve most claw-related annoyances.
It isn’t a perfect option, as dogs rarely enjoy the process and it can occasionally leave sharp edges on the nails, but it is the first step most dog owners should try.
I’m pretty sure that 95% of the internet is comprised of pages that detail the nail-cutting procedure, so I won’t go into great length, but the basic procedure is explained below. Check out Washington State University’s photographic guide to the process if you need a little more information or guidance, or check out our own detailed guide on how to use guillotine nail clippers.
Note that your dog’s claws are complex structures, which differ from your fingernails and toenails in several ways. For example, unlike nails, claws have nerve endings and a blood supply – a feature that is colloquially called the quick.
Of course, you don’t have to trim your dog’s nails yourself if you’re not comfortable with the process. Your vet will likely perform a basic trimming as a matter of course during visits, and most groomers and pet stores will perform the procedure for a nominal fee.
Remember that it’s best to cut your dog’s nails just a tiny bit semi-frequently, rather than waiting a long time and chopping off a larger amount of nail. Small, frequent clippings will cause your dog’s nail quick to retreat, making it easier to cut those claws without hurting your pooch.
Pet-Care Pro Tip: Styptic pencils are really helpful for tending to minor cuts, and they stop the bleeding very quickly. However, they can – as one commenter put it – “burn like the fiery gates of hell.” And, as someone who’s had to use a styptic pencil on his head, I’d echo these sentiments. So, just be prepared for your dog to react badly when using one. If you like, you can just use a pinch of flour or cornstarch instead. Neither works quite as well as a styptic pencil, but they don’t cause as much pain, either.
Grinding your dog’s nails is another way that you can keep them short. You can use a variety of tools to do so, but your basic options include a nail file or commercially produced nail grinder designed specifically for pets.
You can also use a rotary grinder, such as a Dremel Tool (just be sure to use a low speed to avoid burning your dog’s nails). You’ll grind your dog’s nails down just like you would your own.
This method allows you to create a smooth, curved nail surface, which is less likely to snag your clothes and furniture or cut your skin during the after-work greeting ceremony. But, it takes a while to complete the process, so it isn’t a great option for impatient owners or dogs.
For what it’s worth, I personally prefer the grinding approach and have used it with every dog I’ve owned for the past 20 years or so. Grinders are a little less intense and stressful than clipping, which can be quite intimidating.
Once dogs get used to the sound of the tool, they don’t seem to be as nervous about the procedure. But as always, your mileage may vary. Do your best to make the right choices for your dog.
Need help deciding? Our guide on dog nail grinders vs clippers can help you decide which tool is best for you and your pooch.
Dew or Don’t? Considerations for Removing Dew Claws
Dog owners may find that having beautiful hardwood floors and snazzy leather furniture is a big risk. Depending on their temperament, dogs can be pretty destructive creatures.
In addition to tearing up objects around the house, their claws can cause a bit of damage. Not only that but sharp claw can be painful to deal with when a pooch is hungry or wants attention.
Because of this, some owners may be asking themselves if declawing is an option. The controversial procedure is regularly performed on house cats to prevent scratching of furniture and family members.
While it’s often frowned upon by many animal enthusiasts and veterinarians alike, the procedure can be a better alternative than abandonment. If it’s possible for cats, why not perform the procedure on dogs as well?
In short, declawing a dog isn’t even a possibility. While dogs and cats both have claws, they are built and work very differently. Cats utilize their claws for a variety of reasons ranging from self-defense to climbing.
On the other hand, dogs don’t rely on their claws for much. They use them to dig and scratch at themselves, but that’s pretty much where their use stops. Any harm done with the claws isn’t intentional.
Dog’s don’t use their claws purposefully other than to perform menial tasks throughout the day. Because of this, there’s no reason to have a procedure that removes the claws. Not only that but removing a dog’s claws is physically impossible.
The declawing procedure isn’t designed to accommodate a dog’s physical attributes. In fact, the procedure would do more harm than good and handicap their ability to run and walk.
To remove the claws of a cat, surgeons must remove the source of the claws. Unfortunately, the source of the claws is the knuckle itself. The claws grow out of the top knuckle, so veterinarians must amputate it to permanently stop nail growth.
This is why the procedure receives a lot of negative attention. Regardless of how one feels about the process, a dog’s feet aren’t built the same, so removing the top knuckle is simply not an option.
If a dog’s claws are becoming a problem, it may be time for a trim. Dogs should have their nails trimmed on a regular basis to avoid damage to furniture and possible injury.
The frequency of trimming depends entirely on the rate in which they grow and whether or not the dog wears them down naturally. It’s the owner’s responsibility to trim the claws. Luckily, there are a few different methods.
Ideally, a dog’s claws would wear down naturally over time to keep them at a good length. This is usually achieved by regular exercise on tougher terrain. Dogs that walk on concrete often don’t need to get regular trims because the tough material takes off a bit of nail over time. The same applies for dogs that go on hikes.
With that being said, owners may want to smooth the nails out. Tough terrain can lead to jagged edges that make the nails feel sharp. Files can be used to smooth out the texture and round the tips.
Clippers are the quickest way to deal with long nails. They are similar to human fingernail clippers but feature a larger blade and guide. Many manufacturers also offer different sizes to accommodate varying thicknesses. When cutting with clippers, it’s important to keep an eye out for the blood supply, also called the quick.
The quick can be distinguished by a dark spot in the nail. Clippers should stay clear of the quick to ensure that the dog doesn’t experience pain or bleeding. If the quick is cut, it will bleed profusely until a styptic powder is used.
Unfortunately, the quick becomes longer as the nails grow. This is why it’s important to trim the claws regularly. To remedy a long quick, the nails need to be trimmed frequently over a short period of time until it regresses.
Grinders are a quick and more precise way to shape the nails. The mechanical device features a rotating block that makes quick work out of tough claws. It provides ultimate control. Not only do they make it easier to get closer to the quick without cutting it, but they also allow owners to shape the claws whatever way they want.
To prevent scratching, owners can curve the tip of the claws. Some grinders even come with a nail guide to make the process easier.
Nail covers are a revolutionary option to prevent scratches. Essentially, they’re pieces of vinyl that encompass the entire nail.
While the nails will still require trimming in between applications, the covers will slow down the growth process and prevent scratches. They’re predominantly used for cats, but dog varieties are also available.
These accessories are shaped like hollow claws. Despite the protection they offer, the covers are thin enough to support the dog’s regular activities. They’ll still be able to walk, dig, and play without issues.
Numerous sizes are available to fit any dog. Owners wanting to add a bit of colorful flair are in luck as they also come in a variety of colors.
Nail cover packages usually come with enough caps to cover multiple applications. Each application lasts anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks. During this timeframe, the nails will continue to grow until the caps fall off. Once they fall off, it’s time to trim the nails back and prepare them for another application.
The covers simply slip onto the existing nail. Before putting them on, a safe adhesive is applied to the inside of the caps. The adhesive dries quickly so that the pooch can continue on with their day.
Owners can choose to apply the covers on all the paws to provide optimal scratch protection or on specific feet to target the dog’s needs.
In short, there’sno such thing as a declawing procedure for dogs. Because of how dogs utilize their claws, there’s really no need for it anyway. Owners should be proactive and groom the nails on a regular basis.
Whether it’s with regular trimming or a flashy vinyl cover, well-maintained nails will keep furniture, floors, and family safe from scratches.