How to Trim Your Dog's Dewclaws (And Why Most People Miss Them)
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Quick answer: Check your dog's dewclaws every time you trim the other nails. Dewclaws don't touch the ground, so they don't wear down and can curl back toward the paw pad if they're missed. Trim small amounts, cutting at a 45-degree angle. On a dark dewclaw you can't see the quick through the nail, so look at the freshly cut surface after each snip: a lighter gray surface means you still have room, and a darker, denser center means it's time to stop. A magnifier gives you a closer view of that cut surface.
Most dog owners remember to trim the regular nails. The dewclaw is a different story.
Tucked higher up on the inner leg, the dewclaw doesn't touch the ground, which means it doesn't wear down the way the other nails do. It just keeps growing. And because it's easy to overlook, it often gets missed trim after trim until it has curved so far it's becoming a problem.
If you've ever wondered what that extra nail is, why it's there, and how to trim it at home, this is the guide for you.
What exactly is a dewclaw?
The dewclaw is the extra digit on the inner side of the leg, usually just above the paw. As VCA Animal Hospitals puts it, "Dewclaws are our pets' 'thumbs.'"
According to the American Kennel Club, "Almost all dogs are born with a single dewclaw on each front leg." Some dogs have them on the back legs too. The AKC says rear dewclaws "are only attached to the leg by skin, not by bone," and that breeds such as the Great Pyrenees, Briard, Beauceron, and Icelandic Sheepdog are known for having rear double dewclaws.
Front dewclaws are usually firmly attached. Others are loosely attached (sometimes called "floating" dewclaws) and move more freely. Both need regular trimming, but loose ones deserve extra attention: the AKC notes that dewclaws "can snag, tear, or break, especially if they are long or loosely attached."
Why dewclaws need special attention
Because dewclaws don't touch the ground, they get no natural wear. The AKC explains that they "don't wear down naturally and may grow faster than other nails." Left untrimmed, a dewclaw grows in a curve, and if it's missed long enough, it can curve back toward or even into the paw pad.
Dewclaws also snag more easily than regular nails. A dewclaw that has grown too long can catch on carpet, bedding, or outdoor terrain and tear. In the AKC's words, "Injuries to dewclaws can be painful and may require veterinary care." If a dewclaw is torn, is curling into the pad, or anything about it worries you, call your veterinarian.
"Absolutely. If your dog has dewclaws, trim them. Dewclaws can curl around and grow into the paw pad. Long dewclaws can also get snagged on carpets or furniture, which can tear or rip the claw."
Christina, Zakity founder
Catching them early makes trimming much easier. It's when they're missed for a long stretch that dewclaws become a real problem.
How to tell when it's time to trim
Unlike regular nails, you can't use the click test for dewclaws, because they don't touch the floor. Instead, do a quick check during your regular paw inspection:
- Is the dewclaw starting to curve noticeably?
- Is it getting close to the leg or paw pad?
- Does it catch on your finger?
That last one comes from Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinarian for the AKC: "Since dewclaws may be hidden under your dog's coat and be hard to see, you can run your finger under the nail to test if it catches on your finger."
If the answer to any of those is yes, it's time. With no wear to slow them down, dewclaws can get long faster than the other nails, so some dogs need their dewclaws trimmed more often than their regular nails.
How to trim your dog's dewclaws at home
The process is similar to trimming regular nails, with a few adjustments for the awkward position and the fact that dewclaws are often darker and harder to see.
Step 1: Get your dog comfortable first. If your dog isn't used to having the dewclaw area touched, spend a few sessions just handling that part of the leg before you bring clippers near it. Calm, rewarded handling goes a long way.
Step 2: Use a lick mat. Stick the Zakity Lick Mat to a smooth wall with your dog's favorite treat and let them settle in before you start. It keeps your dog busy and distracted, and the distraction can give you a longer window to work, which is especially useful with dewclaws, where you may need to reposition a few times to get a good angle.
Step 3: Look at the cut surface after every snip. This is where a lot of owners struggle with dewclaws. The nail often curves, which changes the angle you'd normally cut at. And on a dark dewclaw, you can't see the quick through the nail at all.
The Zakity Dog Nail Clipper's positionable 3× magnifier is especially useful here, because you can angle it to follow the curve of the dewclaw and get a closer view of the freshly cut end, so you can spot the signs of the quick and know when to stop. A lighter gray surface means you still have room. When a darker, denser center starts to appear, stop. You're close to the quick. The safety guard helps limit how much nail comes off per cut, and there's one on each side so the clipper works for left-handed or right-handed use.
Step 4: Cut at an angle. Christina holds the leg gently but firmly, supporting the leg at the wrist to keep it steady. On a light dewclaw, where you can see the quick, position the clippers 2 to 3 millimeters in front of the quick and cut at a 45-degree angle from top to bottom. On a dark dewclaw, trim tiny slivers and check the freshly cut end after each one, the same way you would on any black nail.
Step 5: Take small amounts and check often. Same rule as always: more cuts, smaller amounts. With dewclaws especially, where repositioning can be tricky, small, careful cuts are your friend.
Why dewclaws catch owners off guard
Most nail trim instructions focus on the four nails that touch the floor. Dewclaws behave differently. They don't wear down, loosely attached ones can snag, and their curve changes the angle you cut at. On a dark dewclaw, you also can't see the quick from the outside.
Zakity founder Christina has upwards of 40 years of hands-on animal care experience, including work as a vet tech at a large veterinary referral hospital, and has trimmed hundreds of dogs' and cats' nails. She saw owners put off trims because they were afraid of hitting the quick. That's part of the thinking behind the Zakity clipper's 3× magnifier, which you move yourself to follow the nail, and behind guides like this one, because knowing how to use a tool matters as much as having it.
For a complete step-by-step nail trimming walkthrough beyond just the dewclaw, our Dog Nail Trim Guide covers the full process from start to finish.
The short version
Dewclaws get no natural wear, snag more easily, and get overlooked more than the other nails on your dog. Check them every time you trim, cut at a 45-degree angle, and on dark dewclaws watch the freshly cut surface after each snip, with a magnifier for a closer view. Stay ahead of them and they're much easier to manage. Let them go too long and they can become a real problem.
The clipper and a two-pack of lick mats also come together in our Dog Nail Care Bundle, along with a canvas storage bag for the kit.
Every Zakity purchase gives back: 3% of the purchase price (excluding shipping and taxes) supports shelter and rescue pets.
FAQ
Should I trim my dog's dewclaws?
Yes. The AKC says, "You should care for your dog's dewclaws just like any other nail." Because they don't touch the ground, they don't wear down on walks, so they need trimming by hand.
How often should you trim dog dewclaws?
Check them every time you trim the other nails. The AKC puts it this way: "Dewclaws should be checked regularly and trimmed as needed, often more frequently than other nails since they don't wear down on their own." As a starting point, Christina suggests planning the next trim three to four weeks out: "then you'll be able to tell how long your particular pet needs," because every pet is different. Let the curve and the finger test guide you too.
Do walks keep dewclaws trimmed naturally?
No. Dewclaws don't touch the ground, so they get no natural wear from walking and still need trimming by hand, unlike your dog's other nails, which may wear down somewhat on hard surfaces.
Do dewclaws have a quick?
Yes. A dewclaw is a nail like the others, with a quick inside, so trim it the same careful way: small amounts, and look at the cut surface after each snip. On a dark dewclaw, a lighter gray surface means you still have room, and a darker, denser center means stop.
Do dewclaws need to be removed?
That's a question for your veterinarian, not something to decide at home. The AKC notes that "In some situations, a veterinarian may recommend removing a dewclaw, especially if it's loosely attached and at risk of tearing." If you have questions about your dog's dewclaws, ask your veterinarian.
Do cats have dewclaws?
Many do. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that some pets have no dewclaws and others have one or even two per paw, and that these toes "don't contact the ground at all," so scratching doesn't wear them down. Our guide to trimming your cat's nails at home includes the dewclaws.
What should I do if I accidentally cut the quick and it bleeds?
Apply styptic powder and gentle pressure. If you don't have styptic powder, VCA Animal Hospitals says you can use flour or cornstarch. If the bleeding doesn't stop, or anything worries you, call your veterinarian. For the full step-by-step, see what to do if you cut your dog's nail too short.
Is a secure grip important when trimming an awkward nail like a dewclaw?
Yes. A contoured, non-slip grip gives you a steadier hold, which matters even more on a dewclaw since the angle is trickier than on a regular nail.
Keep reading
- Dog Nail Care 101: The Quick, Black Nails, Puppies & FAQs
- How to Tell If Your Dog's Nails Are Too Long
- How to Trim Black Dog Nails
- How to Trim Your Cat's Nails at Home
About the Founder: Christina is the founder of Zakity and has upwards of 40 years of hands-on animal care experience. Her work includes serving as a veterinary technician at a large veterinary referral hospital, working in animal shelters and rescue, conducting animal cruelty investigations for a nonprofit animal welfare organization, and educating pet owners on proper animal care, including as an adjunct professor. Christina founded Zakity to give pet owners better tools for caring for their animals confidently at home, and to give back to the shelters and rescues she is deeply passionate about supporting. 3% of the purchase price (excluding shipping and taxes) supports shelter and rescue pets. Learn more at www.zakity.com.
This article provides general information and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian regarding specific health concerns or conditions affecting your pet.