A dog’s Dew Claws, just like their other claws, need to be regularly trimmed. An overgrown dew claw in dogs can cause pain and discomfort in dogs, and may even lead to an ingrown or infected dew claw. In today’s article, we explore the common injuries associated with a dog’s dew claws and how to trim their overgrown dew claws.
What are dew claws?
Dew claws are like a dog’s thumbs.
They can be found on the side of the dog’s paw, and they are much smaller than the rest of their claws.
Many dog breeds will have dew claws on their front paws only, but some can have dew claws on their back legs as well.
A dog’s dew claw can be attached by bone or skin alone. They may also have a single or double dew claws on each foot. This depends on the breed, location (back or front) and your dog’s specific claw growth.
What is the purpose of dog dew claws?
Dew claws, like thumbs, provide additional grip and dexterity.
When digging and running, dew claws provide extra traction and more power to the dog’s foot. It can also provide balance on uneven surfaces and grip when trying to stabilize an object.
And for all those dogs that love to climb trees, dew claws provide the grip and additional leverage they need to scoot their way up.
Common dog dew claw injuries
Dew claws are susceptible to injury due to their location on a dog’s paw pad and their size. Some common dog dew claw injuries include:
Overgrown dew claw
While not an injury in itself, an overgrown dew claw can cause pain and discomfort.
Overgrown dew claws can get easily caught and may even get ripped off. Long dog nails also run the risk of tearing up their dog bed or other furniture around the house.
Dew claws should be regularly trimmed to keep them from causing any issues.
Ingrown dew claws
When dew claws are grown out too long, they can actually curl backwards towards a dog’s paw pad and start growing into their foot.
As you can imagine, ingrown nails are quite painful to your furry friend and should be taken care of as soon as possible.
Due to the risk of infection and the sensitivity of a dog’s paw pad, you should take your dog to a veterinarian to treat an ingrown dew claw.
Torn, split or broken dew claws
A dogs dew claw is worked often, so it is possible for them to break, tear and split when worked too hard.
Some dogs dew claws on their rear legs are attached by skin alone, and they may get ripped off completely!
Dew claws that break near the end can be remedied at home. As long as the nail bed is intact, the nail isn’t split, and the bone isn’t affected, you likely don’t need veterinary care.
If the dew claw has some minor bleeding, you can use some styptic powder to stop the bleeding.
Torn or split claws should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If untreated, split and torn dew claws can become infected.
Infected dew claw
When a dog’s quick is exposed (the nerve that runs through their claws), they can be at risk of infection if not treated.
Dew claws can become infected by small cuts near the claws. Dogs often treat these cuts and discomforts by chewing or licking their paws. This action can transfer bacteria into their cut and infect their dew claws.
Infected dew claws are often accompanied by blood, pus, pain and swelling, and they require immediate veterinary attention to treat.
How to trim a dog’s overgrown dew claws
If you notice that your dog’s dew claws are starting to get a little long, it is probably time to trim them. Here is how to trim your dog’s nails.
Make your dog comfortable – prepare your dog for the nail cutting. Petting and soothing words can go a long way. Other methods include treat, sedatives and aromatherapy.
Look for the quick – the quick is a little pink vein that runs inside the dog’s nails. You do not want to cut this. Cutting the quick will cause bleeding and pain to your pup.
Hold their paw tightly – Face the same direction as your dog and hold their paw like a remote control.
Cut off the end – trim slowly. You can always cut off more if needed.
Round off the edges – use a nail file to round the edges, so the freshly trimmed claw won’t get caught as easily.
Dog dew claw FAQs
Dew claws are small claws found on the side of a dog’s paw.
Dew claws provide dog’s with additional balance, dexterity and leverage when climbing, digging and running.
Yes, a dog’s dew claws can be removed safely. Domesticated dogs, especially indoor dogs, rarely have a use for their dew claws, and removing them won’t affect them at all.
It depends on the severity of the injury. Broken dew claws that break close to the end of the quick will repair themselves. More severe injuries require veterinary care to treat.
The post Overgrown Dew Claw in Dogs: What Should You Do? appeared first on Elegant Furball.
