Common signs of these conditions include limping, licking at the affected paw, and visible saliva staining.Īn ingrown dewclaw is easy to identify if your pet will allow you to examine the area. Ingrown dewclaws and torn dewclaws can serve as a significant source of discomfort for affected pets. By regularly checking and trimming your pet’s dewclaws, you can prevent problems associated with dewclaw overgrowth. They can also become so overgrown that they curl and grow into your pet’s skin. Overgrown dewclaws are at a higher risk of snagging on grass, carpet, or a rug. While all pets should receive regular nail trims approximately once monthly, it’s a good idea to check your pet’s dewclaws a bit more frequently. The lack of friction to wear them down tends to mean that dewclaws may grow faster than your pet’s other claws. While dewclaws are structurally identical to your pet’s other claws, they don’t typically contact the ground when your pet walks. They use their dewclaws extensively, especially when climbing.Ī cat’s dewclaws should never be removed because they play an important role in their ability to engage in normal feline activities. Do Cats Have Dewclaws?Ĭats typically have dewclaws on all four paws. They can help you evaluate your pet’s specific risk factors and the potential benefits of dewclaw removal. If you have questions about dewclaw removal, talk to your veterinarian. For this reason, most veterinarians recommend against removing attached dewclaws. This procedure is more painful than the removal of a detached dewclaw, and it is accompanied by a greater risk of post-surgical complications. This surgery is comparable to amputating a person’s thumb, meaning that it’s an aggressive surgery with limited benefits. In the case of dewclaws with a bony attachment, however, surgical removal comes with a greater risk of side effects. Removal of a detached dewclaw certainly isn’t necessary, but it may reduce the risk of future injury. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable to consider removing your dog’s detached dewclaws, especially if your dog is likely to have a very active lifestyle. Your dog will need to go under anesthesia for the procedure, but this can easily be combined with spay/neuter surgery or another anesthetic episode. Additionally, these detached dewclaws can usually be removed relatively easily. There’s no single right or wrong answer to this question, and the best answer depends upon your unique situation.ĭetached dewclaws (dewclaws without a bony attachment) may be especially prone to injury, especially in a dog that is running through heavy brush or undergrowth. If your older puppy or adult dog has dewclaws, you may wonder whether you should have them removed. Dewclaw removal is typically performed in the first few days of life. If your purebred dog does not have front dewclaws, they were likely surgically removed. For this reason, some breeders and pet owners prefer to have a dog’s dewclaws surgically removed.īreeders may have dewclaws removed by a veterinarian at a very early age. Additionally, because these claws do not reach the ground, they often grow more quickly than your dog’s other claws and are more likely to become overgrown or ingrown. Dewclaw Removal in Dogs: Pros and Consĭewclaws, especially when connected only by a small flap of skin, may be more prone to injury than other digits. When rear dewclaws are present, they may lack the bony attachment seen in front dewclaws and be attached only by a flap of skin or a small tendon. In other breeds, rear dewclaws are uncommon. Some breeds, such as the Pyrenees and Saint Bernard, almost always have rear dewclaws. Rear dewclaws, however, are less common in dogs. Front dewclaws also help a dog hold chew toys or other objects between their front paws. These front dewclaws contain the same bony structures as the human thumb, and they play an important role in stability when a dog is running, making a high-speed turn, or climbing. Most dogs are born with dewclaws on their front feet. In fact, some dogs completely lack dewclaws, especially on their rear paws. The dewclaw and its associated first digit look different from the other toes because the first digit (or thumb) is shorter than the other digits and not used for weight bearing. The structure of a dog or cat paw is similar to a human hand, and a dewclaw is the canine or feline equivalent of a human thumbnail. This small, elevated claw is called a dewclaw. This claw may be a bit smaller than your pet’s other claws, and it doesn’t typically reach the ground when your pet is standing. When you look at a dog or cat’s paws from the front, you might notice a claw on the inside edge of the paw that sits up a bit higher than the others.
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