Some dog owners opt to have their dog’s dew claws removed when they are still puppies to avoid potential injury or tearing. If you have a rescue dog or a dog from a renowned breeder, it is possible that they may not have dew claws per the choice of their previous owners.
A healthy dew claw should be smooth and a relatively consistent color. Some color variation along the claw is normal, but discoloration such as red or brown within the claw may indicate bleeding or another injury.
Declawing may be beneficial for dogs that work, hunt, or otherwise, spend a lot of time being active outdoors or in variable environments. Farm dogs, hunting dogs, service dogs, and police dogs are often declawed to help prevent the claw from catching or sustaining injury. If your dog is not going to be performing intense physical activity and will live more like a household pet, it is generally considered easier to keep the claw and maintain it properly.
If your dog has dark, opaque claws, trimming them is likely best left to a professional. The claws have a fleshy bed called the quick that extends partway down the claw. Cutting into the quick is painful and could seriously injure your dog. If you cannot see the quick, it is best not to cut their nails yourself. Make sure that you have a nail trimmer meant specifically for dog’s nails. The types of nail trimmers humans use can cause cracking and splitting on dog nails. Head to your local pet shop to get trimmers that will keep the claw healthy.
Ask your groomer about nail grinding options, as well as nail trimming. A grinding uses a rotary nail file to slowly grind the claw down to an appropriate length. This not only trims the nail, but rounds it out to prevent catching, cracking, and splitting. [4] X Research source
It is imperative to not cut the dog’s claw too short. Always opt for longer if you are unsure. You can go back and trim more if necessary, but cutting too close could cause serious pain and injury to your dog.
Using dog nail trimmers is advisable for at-home groomers instead of using a grinder. Those unexperienced with grinders may cause accidental injury to the nail or nail bed.
If your dog will let you, treat the bleeding using gauze or a band-aid. Then, rush your dog to the vet for further evaluation and treatment.
Remove the broken pieces. If your dog breaks or chips part of their nail, remove the broken pieces using your claw trimmers to prevent further injury. Stop any bleeding by covering the injury using clean gauze and applying pressure to the area for a few minutes. Clean the wound by bathing the paw in warm water to remove any immediate dirt or debris. Then, use an antiseptic spray or wipe only on the toe that was impacted to prevent potential infection. Bandage the wound with a gauze wrap or a bandage meant to work on a pet’s foot, available from your vet or at local pet stores. Change the bandage daily to keep the wound clean until it heals. Consult your vet to ensure that your dog does not need to be brought in and to get further recommendations for treatment.
Symptoms of a dew claw infection include soreness and inflammation around the dew claw, nail overgrowth, unexpected peeling and chipping of the nail, and discoloration. If you believe your dog may have an infected dew claw, contact your vet immediately to schedule an appointment. Your vet will best be able to advise you on proper physical and medicinal treatments. Treatment may include antibiotic or antifungal medication, as well as medicated foot baths or soaks. In extreme circumstances, removal of the nail plate may be necessary.
