How Do Dogs Use Their Dewclaws?
According to PetMD, “A dewclaw that is attached by bone to a dog’s front foot has a definite purpose. When dogs run, their front feet often bend to the point where their dewclaws come in contact with the ground. At high speeds (especially when turning) or on slippery surfaces, these dewclaws provide extra traction and help stabilize the carpal (wrist) joint.”
Some dogs even use their dewclaws to climb, hold objects while they chew, and get traction on slippery surfaces. However, dewclaws that only attach at the skin are not useful in these manners.
Physically, dewclaws are probably not necessary for dogs, but there is one study out of Canada that shows some concerns with dewclaw removal. “With so many carpal bones that don’t tightly interlock with the adjacent bones, the ligaments of this joint can be easily stretched and even torn when torque (twisting) is applied to the leg. The dewclaws have the important function of reducing the torque that is applied to the front legs, especially when dogs are turning at a canter (the main gait used in agility).”
The result of dogs having their dewclaws removed proved to have some arthritis issues in the future. So, does your dog physically need dewclaws? Well, dogs born without them makes it clear that they aren’t. However, removing natural dewclaws may be problematic in the future.
If your dog’s dewclaw is only attached by the skin and there’s a concern for damage to the appendage, then talk to your vet. For dogs with attached dewclaws, surgery may be far more traumatic. And as the Canadian study showed above, it may even impair your dog’s mobility as they age.
If you keep your dog’s nails trimmed, dewclaws aren’t likely to be a concern.
This is a tricky topic and can only be answered by looking at a dog. Since dewclaws are genetic, they can vary from breed to breed and dog to dog. Some dogs have a combination front and rear dewclaws while others only have one or the other. Other dogs may only have a small bit of protruding skin without a nail at all.
Therefore, you are not guaranteed a breed that has absolutely no dewclaws. If you are purchasing a dog from a breeder, you can ask about the puppy and whether they have dewclaws. Likely, they will.
In 2007 she accomplished her dream of practice ownership, designing and building her own clinic. Another meaningful role, while running her clinic, was serving as her countys shelter veterinarian. This gave her the opportunity to help improve the lives of many animals in her community as well as work with the rescue she loved. She sold her practice in 2019 to move across the country.
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Beth Turner is a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience. She graduated from North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine and following graduation, she began her career as an associate veterinarian and worked closely with the local shelter.
Is Dog Dewclaw Removal Necessary or Safe?
“Traditionally, some dog breeders have opted to have their puppies declaws removed a few days after birth. This was intended to prevent future injuries to the dewclaws and to uphold breed standards,” says Jenna Stregowski, RVT, Daily Paws Pet Health and Behavior Editor.
However, dewclaw injuries are not extremely common in pet dogs; they more often occur in working dogs who get their dewclaws caught while running through rough terrain, she explains. “There is typically no medical need for puppies to have their dewclaws removed. In fact, dewclaws serve a purpose: they help stabilize the carpal (wrist) joint when a dog puts pressure on the front paws and can provide extra traction on some surfaces.”
Dewclaw removal in puppies is relatively simple because the bones have not fully developed and the dewclaw can be easily snipped off by a veterinarian. “Although this is painful and unnecessary for the puppy, it is fast and heals quickly. Adult dewclaw removal requires surgical amputation under general anesthesia. This is because the vet must carefully detach bone, nerve, muscle, and blood vessels,” Stregowski says. “Recovery is longer too—dogs require exercise restriction and usually need to wear an e-collar.”
Adult-dog dewclaw removal is rare, Marks adds. “We do it when its the only option we have left—if theres a permanent injury, tumor, fracture, or infection that wont heal.”
Dogs are more likely to injure a dewclaw than another toe. Thats because dewclaws often become overgrown. And sometimes, back dewclaws arent firmly attached and dangle loosely. That makes dewclaws prone to getting caught on things and breaking as your pooch pulls away.
Broken dewclaws bleed if the quick—tissue in the center of the nail that includes a blood vessel—is exposed. This can also happen if you trim too far down the nail. To stop the bleeding, Marks recommends using cornstarch. Its a crude hemostatic agent, which means itll temporarily stop bleeding. Its a good idea to keep some on hand at home and in the car, if you take your dog out and about. If your dogs nail is fractured or the bleeding continues, see a veterinarian.
Like the other toes on your dogs paw, dewclaws may also develop ingrown nails and nail-bed infections. Besides injury, Marks says another cause of dewclaw infection is when dogs excessively lick their paws—like those with allergies or anxiety. Signs of infection include a change in color, swelling, and odor. Treatment for an infected dewclaw requires antibiotics, bandaging, and usually an e-collar to keep your pup from licking the site.
To prevent injuries, its important to treat dewclaws the same as your dogs other nails. In fact, says Marks, you should monitor and trim them more often. “The rest of the nails get worn down by going for walks on cement and playing at the park. But the dewclaw never touches the ground so it quickly becomes overgrown.” With proper maintenance though, dewclaws arent usually a problem.
Why Do Dogs Have Dew Claws? | Answered by a Vet Tech
A greyhounds front paw, clearly showing the large dewclaw. These claws would benefit from a trim.