What are Dew Claws?

Question

What are dew claws? Why do they remove them? where can I take my dog to have them removed?

Answer 1

Dew claws are like thumbs.. they have no use for them so most owners get them removed when they are puppies... call your vet they would usually do it!! =) I hope this was helpful

Answer 2

Dew claws are the small claws on the inner part of the dogs leg just above the paw. Vets do dew claw removal. Dew claws should be removed by the time a pup is 10 days old. Most vets wont take them off later. If you do it leaves a large scar.People sometimes had them removed because the dew claws can scratch up a female during mating. Also dew claws that grow large can be unsightly on a show dog.

Answer 3

Dew claws are like the 'thumbs' of dogs. They are small toes on the inside of a dogs front paws. They have no real use but some owners remove them. My grandparents had three dogs (all dauschuds) and didn't remove the dew claws. No need to remove them :).

Answer 4

It's better to have them removed as some in here says they serve no use full purpose. I can tell you from from having in the past, three dogs all were very active, if the dew claw gets ripped off it can be very painful for the dog so as you are intending to have some surgery done anyway you would be as well having the dew claws removed ,the dog then has only the one lot of anaesthetic to get, better for the dog and cheaper for you.Discus it with the vet and get the professional opinion. I hope you have a happy and trouble free life with you dog,I miss mine now that there are gone but I'm too old to start again, a dog now, would probably out live me. GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

Dew claws are the nails high up on the dogs paws. They are often removed because they do not get worn down like other nails because they are up so high and don't make contact with the ground when the dog walks or runs, this leads to them often growing very long and sometimes even turning into the skin. Any vet will remove them.

Answer 6

dew claws are extra toes dogs ancestors had them to assist with climbing . some dogs will have them most vet recommend removing the hind ones to prevent injury they are easily torn when the become hung on things. they become infected when the nail grows back into the flesh of the toe, dogs that are groomed will have them removed before they are sold (poodles. cockers, etc) because they are easily clipped off with the clippers. the procedure is simple nost claws only have skin holding them on the leg, some how ever with be attached to bone. our vet clinic allows them to go home the same day.

Answer 7

Dew Claws are the little nails on the inner side of the front paws of dogs, cats & rabbits, they are kinda like the "thumb nail" You dont have to remove them, but they need to be trimmed just like all the other nails. The vet can trim them, or you can do it yourself if you are comfortable doing it.

Answer 8

The claws on the outside of the dogs foot. Take him to the vet to remove them if you want it done

Answer 9

A dewclaw is a vestigial digit of the paw of many mammals, birds, and reptiles (including some extinct orders, like certain therapods). It grows higher on the leg so that in digitigrade species, when the animal is standing, it does not make contact with the ground.


[edit] Dogs
Dogs almost always have dewclaws on the inside of the front legs and occasionally on the hind legs. Unlike the front dewclaws, the rear dewclaws tend to have little bone or muscle structure in most breeds. There is some debate about whether the dewclaw helps dogs to gain traction when they run because, in some dogs, the dewclaw makes contact when they are running and the nail on the dewclaw often wears down in the same way that the toenails on their other toes do, from friction with running surfaces. However, in many dogs, the dewclaws never make contact with the ground; in this case, the dewclaw's nail never wears away, and it must be trimmed to keep it at a safe length.

It is notable that the dewclaws are not dead appendages. They can be used to lightly grip bones and other items that dogs hold with the paws.


This dog's dewclaw never makes contact with the ground and has grown.There is also some debate as to whether dewclaws should be surgically removed. The argument for removal states that dewclaws are a weak digit, barely attached to the leg, so that they can rip partway off or easily catch on something and break, which can be painful and prone to infection. This same argument is made for "cropping", or surgically chopping off, tails of various hunting dogs, such as spaniels. This surgery is illegal in much of Europe and the UK.

In some countries removing the dewclaws is illegal, as removing it is unnecessarily painful to the dog, in addition to the fact that the dewclaw will rarely or never suffer injury leading to amputation.

In addition, for those dogs whose dewclaws make contact with the ground when they run, it is possible that removing them could be a disadvantage for a dog's speed in running and changing of direction, particularly in performance dog sports such as dog agility.

There also exists in folklore a story which claims that dogs that have not had their dewclaws removed are immune to snakebite. In America, pups are commonly sold by breeders "dewclawed", that is with the dewclaws removed (as by a vet) for perceived health and safety reasons.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewclaw"

Answer 10

Dew caws are nails that grow on dogs lower legs. There like thumbs. They are used to help dogs climb embankments. It is best to have them removed because they get hung up on things. Try your vet.