All about dewclaws

by Dr. Mikel Delgado, PhD

First of all, what is a dewclaw?

Dewclaws are the toes on the inside of your dog’s paws that look almost like a thumb. Most dogs have front dewclaws, and some dogs might even have multiple dewclaws. Many dogs also have dewclaws located on the rear paws. The majority of dewclaws are attached to the rest of the paw with tendons and muscle. Some dewclaws are loosely attached, though, particularly double dewclaws or those found on the rear paws. 

Does the dewclaw have a function?

Although dewclaws do not touch the ground when dogs are standing, when dogs are running or jumping, the dewclaws stabilize the wrist joint and can provide traction. Some dogs even use their dewclaws for playing, gripping, and climbing. 

Declaw removal

In some dog breeds, dewclaw removal is common - or even the breed standard. The most commonly cited reasons for removal include:

• the prevention of possible injuries due to the dewclaw getting snagged or torn
• being part of the breed standard
• a preference for the appearance of a dewclaw-free dog

Dewclaws are often removed in the first few days of a puppy’s life, or at the time of a dog’s spay/neuter surgery, when they are already under anesthesia. If not removed in the first few days of life, dewclaw removal is a surgical procedure performed by a veterinarian with appropriate sedation and pain control. Research has shown that even puppies who are a few days old experience pain. 

Do dewclaws need to be removed?

When securely attached, there is no medical reason to perform this procedure, unless the dewclaw is injured or diseased. In fact, a 2018 study found an association between dewclaw removal and an increased risk of injury in agility dogs. However, some breed standards require dewclaw removal (while others require that dewclaws are NOT removed).

The risks of declaw removal

Dr. Chris Zink, a board certified veterinary sports medicine specialist, has suggested that dewclaws may prevent the twisting of the limbs when dogs are running. Removal of dewclaws may increase the risk of some orthopedic conditions, such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or joint injury.

Dewclaw injuries

Although they are uncommon, declaw injuries do happen, including dislocation or nail damage. 

Dewclaw maintenance 

Maintenance of dewclaws will include trimming the nail regularly, to avoid catching. You can gently inspect your dog’s dewclaw regularly to make sure they haven’t been injured or are experiencing any pain or discomfort.

Breeder and Buyer Choice

The vast majority of dogs will do just fine with or without their dewclaws. We recommend that buyers and breeders discuss dewclaw removal with each other to make the best decisions for themselves and their dogs. 

References

Mills, K. E., von Keyserlingk, M. A., & Niel, L. (2016). A review of medically unnecessary surgeries in dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 248(2), 162-171.

Sellon, D. C., Martucci, K., Wenz, J. R., Marcellin-Little, D. J., Powers, M., & Cullen, K. L. (2018). A survey of risk factors for digit injuries among dogs training and competing in agility events. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 252(1), 75-83.

Zink, C., & Schlehr, M. R. (2020). Working dog structure: Evaluation and relationship to function. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 745.