If you've ever spotted the little extra claw sitting higher up on the inside of your dog's leg and wondered what it's for, you're not alone. That's the dew claw, and it's one of the most misunderstood bits of a dog's foot. The short version: most front dew claws are perfectly normal, they do a small useful job, and the main thing you need to do is keep them trimmed so they don't cause trouble. Here's what they are, how I look after them on the table, and what to know about injuries, overgrowth and the removal question.
What are dew claws?
Dew claws are the extra claws that sit a little way up the inside of a dog's leg, above the main paw. Nearly all dogs have them on the front legs, and some have them on the back legs too. A few breeds are even born with double dew claws on the hind legs.
They're often described as vestigial, a leftover from evolution, but that isn't the whole story. On the front legs they're attached by bone and muscle and do have a use: dogs grip chews and toys with them, and they make contact with the ground when a dog is running or turning at speed. Hind dew claws are usually looser, sometimes attached by skin alone, and tend to be more prone to catching on things.
Why dew claws need looking after
Here's the important bit. Because a dew claw never touches the ground the way the main claws do when walking, it doesn't wear down naturally. That means it keeps growing, and if it's left unchecked it can curl right round.
Left too long, a dew claw can:
- Curl back and grow into the skin or pad, which is painful
- Snag on carpet, bedding, undergrowth or a lead and tear
- Become an ongoing sore spot that your dog licks and worries at
So the golden rule is simple: dew claws need trimming just like the rest, and often a little more regularly because they're so easy to forget.
Groomer's tip: When you're checking your dog's feet, always run your hand up the inside of each leg to find the dew claws. They hide under the fur, and they're the claws owners most often miss between grooms.
Do groomers trim dew claws?
Yes, we do. When your dog comes in for a groom or a nail trim, I trim the dew claws along with the rest of the claws as a matter of course. It's part of a proper foot tidy, and it's one of the reasons regular grooming helps: an extra pair of eyes on those easily-missed claws.
If your dog's dew claws grow quickly, or you've noticed one starting to curl, do mention it. It's a five-second job on the table but a genuine problem if it's left. You can see how nail and foot care fits into a full groom on our prices and packages page.
Trimming them at home is fine too, as long as you're confident and can see where the quick (the pink, sensitive part inside the claw) ends. On dark claws that's harder to judge, so go little and often rather than risk cutting too far.
Dew claw injuries and overgrowth
Torn dew claws are one of the more common paw injuries, especially the loose hind ones. A dog can catch one running through long grass or scrabbling at a door, and because the claw has a nerve and blood supply, a partial tear really hurts and can bleed a fair bit.
Signs of a dew claw problem include limping, licking at the leg, a claw sitting at an odd angle, or bleeding. If you spot an overgrown claw that has curled into the skin, or a claw that's torn or hanging, that's a vet job. They can trim, treat or remove the damaged claw properly and check for infection. Please don't try to pull a partially torn claw off yourself; it's very sore and easy to make worse.
Keeping them short is genuinely the best prevention. A well-trimmed dew claw has far less to catch on.
The dew claw removal debate
You may have heard that some dogs have their dew claws removed, often as very young puppies. This is a genuinely debated topic.
The arguments usually go like this. Some believe removing loose hind dew claws prevents future injuries. Others, including many vets and welfare organisations, argue that routine removal of healthy dew claws (particularly the well-attached front ones that have a real function) isn't justified and is an unnecessary procedure. For general guidance on dog health and when procedures are warranted, the RSPCA is a sensible starting point, and the Royal Kennel Club has breed-specific information worth reading.
My honest, groomer's view: for the vast majority of pet dogs, healthy front dew claws are best left alone and simply kept trimmed. Any decision to remove a dew claw should be a medical one, made with your own vet, usually because a claw is damaged or causing repeated problems, not a routine tidy-up.
Frequently asked questions
Do all dogs have dew claws?
Almost all dogs have front dew claws. Hind dew claws are less common and vary by breed; some dogs have none, some have one on each back leg, and a few breeds have double hind dew claws.
Do dog dew claws need to be cut?
Yes. Because they don't touch the ground, dew claws don't wear down and will keep growing. They need regular trimming, often a little more frequently than the main claws, to stop them curling into the skin.
What do I do if my dog's dew claw is torn?
Keep your dog calm, don't try to remove the claw yourself, and contact your vet. A torn dew claw is painful, can bleed and may need proper treatment to prevent infection.
Should I have my dog's dew claws removed?
Not routinely. Healthy front dew claws have a function and are best kept trimmed. Removal should be a medical decision made with your vet, usually only if a claw is repeatedly injured or causing problems.
This isn't veterinary advice
We're professional dog groomers, not vets, so please treat this as friendly general guidance. If you're worried about your dog, or before acting on anything here, speak to your local vet. In an emergency, contact your vet or nearest out-of-hours clinic.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. We check and trim dew claws as part of every groom, so those easily-missed claws never get the chance to curl. Book a groom and nail tidy.