Dogs possess the equivalent of the human thumb on the inner portion of their legs. Called the “dew claws”, these claws never touch the ground. This leads veterinarians to remove them within five days of a pup’s birth. If the dew claws are left in place, the possibility exists that they will continue to grow unchecked. This sets up the possibility for them to grow in a curl, the point of which may actually pierce the claw. The other claws are usually trimmed by owners and are worn down by contact with hard surfaces. Aside from not being susceptible to wear, some dew claws are covered by hair. This leaves them largely forgotten when it is time to trim the other nails. Removal eliminates all possibilities of a problem.
Feb 23 2023
