Is a broken dog’s dewclaw an emergency?

Generally, dewclaw breakage isn’t an emergency. If your dog isn’t bleeding or showing any signs of pain, they’re okay! However, they still need to visit the vet to see if their claw is open to infections and other medical issues down the road. Vets will most likely bandage your dog’s claw up.

How do dogs break their dewclaw?

Much like their nails, a dog’s dewclaw can also break and get injured. 

However, they’re designed to do this so as not to get too long that it curls back into your dog’s leg. In some cases, dogs get wounded by their own dewclaw since it already has penetrated their skin.

When this happens, pet owners typically bring their pups to the vet and get their dog’s dewclaw trimmed. But, in the wild, your dog’s ancestors used to have their dewclaw trimmed naturally.

“How does this happen?”

Trauma

The most common reason why dogs get their dewclaw broken is through trauma. They might be active dogs and are always going to places where their dewclaws can get trimmed off.

Some of the objects that could cut their dewclaws short include:

• Walls.
• Fences.
• Furniture.

Some dogs also break their dewclaw because of a fall or a collision caused by rough play, running around, and even fights with other canines.

Overgrowth

As mentioned earlier, dewclaws tend to grow long and can injure your pup. When their dewclaw gets long, it can easily get clipped on to random objects get cut off.

You’ll notice that your dog has an overgrown dewclaw if it already is hanging visibly out of the upper part of their paw. 

Your pup may also be licking their feet a lot since it causes them discomfort. Others will also develop a limp because of their overgrown dewclaw.

Genetic factors

Some dogs are predisposed to chew on their nails which can lead to early breakage. These dog breeds include:

• Bichon Frises.
• Golden Retrievers.
• German Shepherds.
• Labrador Retrievers.

If you have any of these canine breeds, you might have to be more cautious and control their nail chewing habits. Not only will their dewclaw break, this behavior may even causes damage to their nails leading to infections and other medical issues.

Are dogs’ dewclaw important?

In most dog breeds, dewclaws are considered vestigial. They sort of resemble a human thumb but isn’t an equivalent in usage.

Some canines have dewclaws that look like they’re attached to their paw with just their skin rendering them practically useless.

However, in working dog breeds, dewclaws serve a functional purpose.

As an example, Saint Bernards and Great Pyreneeses have dewclaws that can help them have more traction when trekking rough terrain. It also helps them grip more in snow.

As a result, working dog breeds become more effective in herding and fighting off animals that may harm whatever it is that they’re guarding.