How to Trim a Dog's Dew Claw
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Introduction
A dog's dew claw is the claw that is completely separate from all of the other claws on their paws. This claw is found away from your dog's paw further up their leg. If this dew claw is ignored during regular claw trimming, it can become overgrown and cause problems. If your dog's dew claw is too long, it can get snagged while on walks and even your furniture or your carpet, causing the dew claw to pull, break, or tear, causing injury to your dog.
If the dew claw is ignored, it can grow so long that it begins to circle around itself. Some dogs have had dew claws that grew back into their skin because they were ignored and grew so long that they formed a circle growing into the leg. So, ensure you include your dog's dew claw in your dog's nail-clipping routine.
Dog's Perspective
If your dog's dew claws are overgrown, they may be a little apprehensive about letting you touch their paws as they can be tender and sore. This is especially true if the dew claw has grown into their skin. Keep your dog calm with a gentle voice and even a distraction like a treat. Assistance from a partner can make trimming your dog's dew claws a little easier. Your dog is going to need to remain still so there is no injury while cutting their dew claws.
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The Trimming Method
The Overgrown Method
Caution & Considerations
- As with all of your dog's claws, be aware of where the claw's quick is, so you don't snip the quick and cause pain and bleeding.
- If your dog's dew claws are overgrown, the quick may grow longer with them. In these cases, ensure you're trimming just a little bit off at a time.
- Be sure to file your dog's dew claws as well as all of their claws after trimming them to get any sharp edges left behind.
- Be careful with the quick, which is found inside your dog's claws. Even a dew claw has a quick. If you cut this, it will bleed and cause pain.
- If you cut the quick, you can use styptic powder to stop bleeding. If you don't have styptic powder on hand, cornstarch may help.
- If your dog's dew claw is clear or white in color, you may be able to see the quick inside the nail.
- Be sure to maintain your dog's dew claws each time your dog has their nails done.
Conclusion
Dew claws help dogs gain extra traction and stablize the wrist joint. It's essential to keep them trimmed to avoid causing your fur-baby unnecessary discomfort. Some breeders remove dew claws from dogs, but this is unneeded and painful unless medically necessary.
The most important consideration when trimming a dew claw is to avoid clipping the quick, which can result in significant bleeding. Ensure you include trimming your dog's dew claw in your grooming routine to avoid overgrowing.
Success Stories and Grooming Questions
Grooming Questions & Answers
Moozah
How long should a dog's dewclaws be? I know with the rest of the claws they should either gently rest on the ground when standing or not touch the ground at all. But I'm not sure how long her dew claws should be. Her claws are black so I can't see the quicks. We took her to the vet and he trimmed them but they still have a curve to them, which my instinct tells me is still too long. Should I take her to an actual groomer and have them trimmed more?
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What is the best way to groom my big baby. His furs so thick and so hard to scrub what tools do I need and don I trim his few claws and how often
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Hi Shelby! Great question. A Great Pyrenees has an undercoat that needs to be brushed out with a deshedding tool such as the Furminator brand brush. Combining this with a bath using a deshedding shampoo or conditioner will optimize results. Dew claws need to be trimmed more frequently than the other nails because they do not touch the ground and so do not get worn down by walking. The frequency of the trim is different for each dog. Check them every few weeks to be sure they dont curl into the paw pads. Thanks! Paige
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My dog has a very overgrown dewclaw. It curled around many times. We don't know where to start trimming it.
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Hi Nina, The best way to approach a dew claw that has curled around, in my opinion, is to cut a little bit at a time. You don't want to cut deep and reach the quick of the nail - one bad experience may make Benny afraid of nail trimming in the future. You can manipulate the dew claw easily, making for a clear view of where to cut. If you are hesitant of trimming the claw, see the groomer who will have the best tools for getting the job done quickly. Good luck!
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his dew claw that has grown into his leg
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Hello, please take Brady to the veterinarian. They will assess the situation and determine the best way to trim the dewclaw. Do not leave it because infection may set in. I would make an appointment right away. Good luck and I hope everything goes well for Brady.
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I’m clipping my dogs dew claw on her hind legs they have curled into her paw pad and on the one it seems like her quick goes into her pad and her quick is the only thing I can clip because the quick goes from the tip all the way to her paw pad what should I do
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Thank you for the question. Do you have someone at home to assist you? If you hold a flashlight under the nail (if possible), it makes seeing the quick easier. Use a small nail clipper that allows you to get as close to the end of the nail as possible. Trim enough to get the nail away from the skin and then gently remove the claw that has entered the pad. I think in this case, however, taking Bailey to the vet may be the best idea. The clinical team will be experienced and able to trim the nail quickly and efficiently. Then, have them trim all of Bailey's nails. After they are the right length, it will be easier for you to maintain the nails on your own. Good luck!
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My dog does not let anyone near her nails! Her dew claws are bad and I have followed each bit of advice on the internet with no luck! I took her to the vets and they tried but couldn’t succeed either... They booked us in for an appointment to sedate her (Although sedating over nails worries me) but then the coronavirus happened and due to my mother having stage 5 kidney failure, shes at extremely high risk so we’ve been on total lock down and had to cancel the appointment. Her dew claw is really overgrown and is almost a full circle now, her other nails aren’t too bad because I wear them down on the concrete in my garden but everytime I see her dew claw my heart breaks because I know she must find them uncomfortable and it makes me feel like a neglectful owner. We rescued Maisie at 7 months old and we should have renamed her nervous nelly. The vets said they haven’t seen a dog so jumpy over getting her nails cut and thats why he thought the only way is sedating her. I don’t think I can wait until the outbreak is over to get them cut or the dew claw will be fully grown in. Although, I cannot risk leaving the house because if I caught the virus, it would more than likely kill my mum. I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place and don’t know what to do... I have literally tried everything, speaking in a gentle voice, holding her paws to get her used to it, trying to get her use to the clippers, etc... etc... I know the chances are slim that what you recommend will work but I’m willing to take any advice what so ever, thanks.
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Thank you for the question. I agree that the best way is to go with the sedation. If the vet could not manage otherwise, I don't think you have a choice but to wait. It sounds as though you are doing everything you can to make her relax, and these are the things I would typically suggest. Until you can get to the vet, I would check the nail each day and just make sure that it is not growing into the skin. (Gently move it away from the skin daily.) I am sorry I cannot help you other than that. All the best to you with this issue.
Perhaps you can just wear a mask and drop her off at the vet!
Vets here do not allow owners inside because of the virus but mine still got their yearly checkups.
I don't however allow vets or groomers to do my dogs' nails - too many have cut them too short. I just sit on the couch with them and do a little bit every couple of weeks. They do NOT like battery trimmers - I use clippers and occasionally a nail file.
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What kind of clippers are best to use on one overgrown dew claws ? And where to buy them?
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Thank you for the question about cute little Snowball. This article from Washington State University is very informative and shows the best clippers as well as steps to follow. Read the entire article through before beginning and have treats ready for afterward. https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/Pet-Health-Topics/categories/procedures/dogs/clipping-your-dog's-claws You should be able to buy a good pair of nail clippers at any pet supply store (which should be open despite the shelter-in-place.) Good luck!
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Her few claw on one paw has grown into a circle. Can a groomer rectify this or does it need a vet?
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Hello, as long as the nail has not grown into the skin the groomer can most likely take care of it. If Kayleigh's nail is hard to get at or if she does not cooperate and a vet's assistant is required, then the vet would be the option over the groomer. Good luck and all the best to Kayleigh!
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