Do dew claws need special paw care?

Because a dewclaw does not make ground contact, it gets no natural wear from walking the way other nails do, and its position slightly up the leg means it is easy to miss during a quick glance at the paw, which is why dedicated attention matters.

A long dewclaw is more likely to catch on carpet, bedding, or grass while a dog moves, which can tear the nail partway or pull at the skin around it, an injury that is often more painful than a typical broken nail elsewhere on the paw.

Check dewclaws at the same time as your regular nail trims, roughly every 3 to 4 weeks, feeling along the leg for the nail and trimming it the same careful way you would any other nail. A dewclaw that looks like it is curving back toward the leg is overdue and worth attending to promptly.

Some dogs, either naturally or through a breeder's early removal decision, do not have dewclaws at all, which simply means this particular check does not apply to them; if you are unsure whether your dog has dewclaws, a quick look at the inner side of each leg just above the paw will show you right away.

Some working and sporting breeds have their dewclaws removed shortly after birth for practical reasons related to their intended activity, a decision made by breeders and discussed with a vet, which is worth knowing if you are choosing a puppy from a specific working line.