Why exactly are you supposed to remove a dogs dew claws?

Question

My dogs dew claws aren't removed...she's fully intact(as of now). Don't worry she will be spayed soon. Anyway I don't think cutting an animal for any reason EXEPT for spaying or nutering purposes is right. My view is if you want the animal you accept everything that that may bring...even if you may not like it. Lilly's tail is awful...it's huge,very muscular and tends to ALWAYS hit you in some way or another...but that is part of her and that comes with the deal. ....But out of curiousity why do people say you are supposed to remove her and other dogs dew claws? I don't get it...she's perfectly fine with them. No problems..why remove them?

Answer 1

You sound like a great pet owner. It has always bothered me that people want to get dogs, and then dock their tails and crop their ears and all this other crap because they think it looks cool.

Anyway. You don't need to remove dewclaws unless they're a problem. Usually problems are caused when the claws only hang on by connective tissue, rather than bone. It can go either way. The ones held with connective tissue are a little more flimsy, if you will, and are more likely to rip if they get caught in something like carpet, blankets, or even in the dirt. It's a lot less likely to happen if there is bone there. One thing you can do is to keep the nail as short as possible. A lot of people overlook the dewclaws when they trim their dogs' nails, and they end up growing too long and into a point, which makes it more likely to get caught on something.

So, to simplify: keep them short and blunt, and only remove them if they start causing problems to your dog. Good luck. =)

Answer 2

Just depends on the lifestyle of the individual dog. Some are very active, some are hunters or work the farm so the dewclaws could get stuck in brush and end up getting Torn off causing great pain and bleeding. Function and form are the reason, not just for cosmetic reasons. I've seen one too many dew claw torn or getting caught on things. If your dog is not that active or avoids getting into situations that could cause injury, then no worries.

Answer 3

I remember years ago when my parents got an Irish Setter puppy from a breeder in another town. The breeder offered to remove the puppy's dewclaws but my parents declined because they thought it was inhumane. The reason they often are removed is because in some breeds, especially hunting dogs, the dewclaws can get caught on underbrush and tear off. Removing them eliminates that problem. However, that is the equivalent of removing people's thumbs and big toes and I don't believe many of them would like that idea and have it done to themselves.

Answer 4

The only time I would removed dewclaws was if they were the type that sticks out badly not the ones that are close to the leg. It is usually rear dewclaws that hang out and can get easily caught and torn off so I would remove any if they were like that it's just helping prevent future accidents...but for front claws they are close to the leg and all our dogs have never had them off nor had a problem, my rottie has her front ones on still, she did not have rear ones. If you are getting your dog spayed then it would be best to remove any that would pose a problem if they hang but if they are not like that then keep them on.

Answer 5

I would not remove an adult dog's dewclaws unless there was an emergency (dog got it caught on something and now it's infected).

However, I DO remove my puppies dewclaws 3 days after birth. Having mushed dogs (dogsledding) and ended up with a dewclaw that got caught causing significant pain and bleeding (and the dog having to ride in the sled which upset her greatly) I have decided it is in *my* dog's best interests to have them removed when they are newborn.

I feel dewclaw removal is somewhat akin to the question of whether to circumcise newborn human boys or not. There are valid reasons for it and valid reasons against it.

Answer 6

Some breeds don't get them at all, but the ones that do usually get them removed because they are no held by much and if the dog gets them caught on anything when they are running it can rip them out, there will be a lot of blood and pain when it happens but they don't grow back, so it can't happen again. That's why people get them removed when they are pups cause it's painless, and it avoids this sort of thing happening.

Answer 7

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE DEW CLAWS! In fact, it's illegal to do so in some countries! It's debated that it helps certain breeds run normally [i seriously don't know why they remove them], but it's totally uneccessary! Declawing and de-dew-clawing an animal is NOT NEEDED! Dew claws do not effect daily life whatsoever. :)
Docking of the tail could be an option if the wagging is that harsh. It's recommended to dock tails when they're still young so they won't be traumatized for long. But yeah, you don't want to do that, right?
And good job on planning to spay her! :) Thanks for helping limit pet populations!

Answer 8

Alot of people have them removed as a precaution for the dogs health. Dogs tend to get them hung up on stuff and get stuff like dirt and mud stuck around them causing infections. Because they dont actually walk on the dew claws like their other claws debris doesnt easily fall off of them and the one time you dont see it happen is the one time it can cause a bad infection. Mostly its because they get them hung up on things. I have a pitt bull that didnt have his removed because of a BYB and he has nearly ripped his off a few times. I totally agree with doing it but only in the first like week of life when the cartlige to be removed is still very soft and doesnt hurt to much. If not done within the first week it is way to painful on the dog. As for tails and things like that I wish my dog didnt have his done it causes problems as well as his dew claws being gone. Speaking of a boxer I have. The scar tissue around the removal spots tend to get cysts on him and its a pain.