If your dog has lost their entire nail, chances are you will know it. Many dogs lose their dew claws without even blinking an eye, so if you find a random nail in the dog bed, it’s nothing to panic over. Some dogs simply have weaker nails than others, making them more susceptible to damage and losing their nails.

When Are Dewclaws Removed? In many cases, dewclaws are removed when a newborn is between 3 and 5 days old. If the procedure is not done during that time, it is recommended to wait until the pet is at least 12 weeks old.

Because front dewclaws serve an important purpose, 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 (e.g., a cancerous tumor) and removal under those circumstances would certainly be in the dog’s best interests.

Do all dogs have them? All dogs are born with front dewclaws, says Dogster. If your dog is missing his front dewclaws, it is likely because they were removed by his breeder while he was young. Some dogs are also born with rear dewclaws.

Front Dewclaw Removal Although it’s a simple procedure — over in less than 1 minute — neonatal puppies feel pain, and dewclaw removal in a neonate is done without general anesthesia.

In many breeds — but certainly not all — the dewclaw has traditionally been removed in the first few days of a dog’s life. In some breeds, the removal is thought to improve appearance for the show ring. In others, it’s done to prevent possible injuries, such as being damaged while a hunting dog works through brambles.

If you are wondering whether dogs can be declawed, the answer is yes, they can. However, declawing in dogs should not be done for reasons other than medical ones, such as infections that are affecting the paws.

Providing your dog with interactive toys, attention or spending time with him by training him or playing with him may prevent him from licking those areas. A dog with nothing to do will frequently lick at its front legs, toes and dewclaws.

It can hurt a dog quite a bit when you cut the quick. The level of pain your dog experiences will depend on how deep into the quick you cut. The deeper you cut, the more nerves you damage. Use styptic powder to numb the pain and stop the bleeding.