In the wild, wolves and coyotes keep their nails short through digging and running after prey for hours. Since your dog is likely not running around in the wilderness all day, you may need to walk them on concrete to help keep their nails at a reasonable length.
Running around in the wild files their nails down enough to where their nails remain a good length. It's still possible for their claws to overgrow, but it's not like they can clip their claws themselves. Dogs and canines in general have non-retractable claws. They also walk a lot.
Nails cannot be allowed to grow without being trimmed or naturally worn down so if they are long enough, your veterinarian will need to inject a sedative into your dog in order to safely trim the nails. Physical restraint should not be performed if a dog is struggling and trying to bite.
Just like in humans, dog's nails continuously grow. Wild dogs naturally wear down their nails due to the amount of exercise (walking, running) they do on uneven and rough terrain. Our domestic dogs don't normally get enough exercise on harsh surfaces to file their nails down.
In the wild, dogs spent much of their time roaming around the land. This naturally eroded away at their nails and kept them short and trimmed.
Taking your dog for regular walks, including on hard surfaces such as pavements, will help to shorten their claws, but may not be enough to keep them as short as they should be.
Long walks can wear down your dog's nails naturally over time. In the wild, wolves and coyotes keep their nails short through digging and running after prey for hours.
Because front dewclaws serve several important purposes, they should not be removed unless there is a very good reason to do so. In rare cases, a dog's dewclaw may be severely injured or develop a disease (such as a cancerous tumor) and removal under those circumstances would be in the dog's best interests.
If performed properly and following the guidelines mentioned above, the dewclaw removal process should not be painful. However, if the dewclaws are removed without anesthesia (local numbing agent or general anesthesia), the procedure is painful and inhumane.
Dew Claws May Be Sore
If your dog seems to be in a lot of pain when you trim their dew claws, you may need groomer or vet assistance. However, a little bit of discomfort is to be expected, especially the first time.
Unless there is a medical reason not to sedate your dog, your vet should be able to do a sedated trim. Being sedated should make the nail trim process less traumatic for your pup.
Gabapentin is a medication that can be used for several purposes, including seizure control, anxiety relief, sedation, and pain management. It's a common dog sedative for grooming, travel, vet visits, and other short-term events. Gabapentin is generally considered safe in healthy pets, with minimal side effects.
Having your dog's nails trimmed regularly is an important part of routine grooming. Many times, we hear: “I have hardwood floors and my dog's nails are driving me up the wall!” Dogs that run or walk on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt are able to wear down their nails.
Just like human nails, dog claws grow constantly. How often a dog's nails need to be cut will depend on the breed and lifestyle, which can change with age. Many dogs naturally wear their nails down by walking and play, especially if the walk involves hard surfaces. An inactive dog may not wear their nails down.
Nail Care for Dogs. If your dog spends a lot of time outside on hard, rough surfaces, they will naturally have their nails 'filed down' for them by the ground. However, for the most part, you'll have to trim your dog's nails from time to time. When your dog's nails grow too long, it can affect their mobility.
A bandage will be applied for a few days if there is a lot of bleeding or the nail has completely come off. Apart from the bleeding and being painful for the dog, these injuries aren't too serious. Your vet will very likely give your dog some pain medications and antibiotics if needed to stop infections.
"There is typically no medical need for puppies to have their dewclaws removed. In fact, dewclaws serve a purpose: they help stabilize the carpal (wrist) joint when a dog puts pressure on the front paws and can provide extra traction on some surfaces."
Certain breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees, Briard, Beauceron, and Icelandic Sheepdog, are known for having these rear double dewclaws. Depending on the breed, the double dewclaw may even be considered part of the breed standard.
The name refers to the dewclaw's alleged tendency to brush dew away from the grass. On dogs and cats the dewclaws are on the inside of the front legs, similarly to a human's thumb, which shares evolutionary homology.
They are not normal in Aussies. All Aussies have front dewclaws. There are no statistics on rear dewclaws, but they don't appear common. However, they obviously occur often enough – or at least did historically – for them to merit mention requiring removal in most breed standards.
The easiest time to remove dewclaws is two to five days after birth. Virtually none will have bony attachments at that point so it is fairly simple to just snip them off at the base. Some breeders do this themselves; however, it is best done by a veterinarian who can provide local anesthesia.
Dogs that are frequently walked on pavement or concrete may be able to go a bit longer between nail trims, because walking on a hard, rough surface can help file the nail. Dogs that are inactive or do not spend any time on hard surfaces may even need nail trims a bit more frequently, such as every three weeks.
Unlike most other dogs that have 5 toes on each paw, African wild dogs only have 4. This adaptation allows for greater stride length and speed allowing them to better pursue prey for long distances.
Allergies are a common reason for dogs to gnaw on their toes and nails. Your dog may be allergic to pollen, mold, or even fleas. Food sensitivities can also cause an itchiness between toes and around nail beds. Just like us, our dogs can become bored if they don't have enough stimulation.