What to Know About Dew Claws
What to Know About Dew Claws If you are in the regular practice of keeping your dog's nails trimmed then you are probably familiar with what dew claws are. For those of you who may not be familiar, NuVet thought it would be helpful to talk a little bit about dew claws and how they may or may not impact your dog.
What to Know About Dew Claws What are dew claws? Like many other animals, almost all dogs have dew claws. What are dew claws you ask? Well, if you have ever taken a good look at your doggie's paws you will notice that on the inside of your dog's paw and usually set up a little bit higher than the rest of your dog's toenails is a another toenail.
What to Know About Dew Claws What purpose do they serve? Some feel that dew claws do not serve any real purpose and are relics of an earlier time when dogs may have needed them. Others feel that dew claws do indeed serve a purpose, like helping dog's control items in their paws such as bones or chew toys.
What to Know About Dew Claws Why do they get removed? Some breeders and dog owners will leave the dew claws alone if it is part of the breed standard. However, many breeders and pet owners also choose to have their dog's dew claws removed because they feel they do not serve any real purpose.
What to Know About Dew Claws If you notice your dog chewing or licking their dew claws you may need to check in with your vet. Frequently, vets will perform the operation during a dog's spaying or neutering; this way, your dog does not have to come back and be exposed to another round of anesthesia and another surgery.