Have you ever noticed that extra nail on the side of your dog's paw? It might look like a sort of "dog thumb." That's called a dewclaw, and it's a remnant of the evolutionary past of your family pet.
Why Do Dogs Have Dewclaws?
Psychology Today author Dr. Stanley Coren traces your dog's dewclaw back 40 million years to "a tree climbing cat-like animal known as miacis which was an early ancestor of our modern dogs," he says.
"Obviously if you climb trees having five toes is an advantage. However, miacis eventually evolved into the ground dwelling species cynodictus. From this point on, successive generations of the animals that would become our dogs began to become specialised as social hunters," Dr. Coren writes.
That means the extra nail serves little purpose for today's pups. Despite that, most dog breeds still have them on their front paws. Some breeds, like the Great Pyrenees and Briards, have rear dewclaws or can have double dewclaws — called polydactyly.
While they are considered to be of little use, they are certainly not completely useless. Dogs can use them for grip. Most commonly you might see your pup gripping a bone with the help of their "thumb." A dog breed that uses their "thumbs" is a Norwegian lundehund that uses them help scale mountains, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Tasty Tips
The Dewclaw Debate
The AKC, however, notes that, for most dogs, the appendage is "essentially an extra paw" and "serves virtually no purpose" for most dogs.
Because of that and because some dogs are prone to getting them caught or torn — which can cause a dog extreme pain and risk infection — the AKC calls dewclaw removal one of the "safe and standard animal husbandry practices designed to protect the safety and welfare of dogs."
The AKC calls for the appendages to be removed shortly after birth. In fact, many dog breeders have the surgery done in the first days of life. That means if your dog doesn't have dewclaws, they might have been removed before you even took ownership of your pup.
But other organisations strongly believe that removing dewclaws serves little purpose and causes great pain to the animal. Because of that, some — like The Kennel Club in the UK — have restrictions on when dewclaw removal can be done.
"Beyond the risk of the dewclaw getting caught on things, there is no benefit to removing them," Albuquerque Vetco says. "It can also be a painful procedure for your dog."
Vets at the New Mexico clinic recommend owners keep the nail of the appendage trimmed short to help prevent it from catching and potentially tearing. Whatever you decide to do with your dog's dewclaw, you should consider keeping all claws trimmed. Unlike their ancestors or canine cousins in the wild, dog claws don't serve as great of an evolutionary need as they aren't necessary for hunting prey. After all, your lovable pup would much rather you feed them a nutritious meal than have to go hunt.
The debate continues, but your dog certainly doesn't know that. All they care about is they have full grasp of your heart.
Related products
Small & Mini Mature Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Small & Mini Breed Mature Adult Dog Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
Tailored nutrition to support graceful ageing in small dogs. Specially made with a synergistic blend of nutrients for energy & vigor.
Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Small & Mini Adult Dog Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
Tailored nutrition for the unique needs of small dogs during the prime of their life.
Light Medium Mature Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Light Mature Adult Medium Dog Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
Helps keep your dog fit and active with our low calorie, great-tasting food.
Precise nutrition for less active mature adult dogs that require a low calorie food to help maintain a healthy weight & lifestyle.
Perfect Weight Adult Dog Food with Chicken & Vegetables
Hill's Science Plan Perfect Weight Adult Dog Food with Chicken & Vegetables ia a complete premium dog food for dogs prone to weight gain or who are slightly overweight. This savoury tinned loaf is enriched with ingredients that support healthy weight maintenance & long-lasting weight support.
Related articles
The Advantages of Wet Dog Food
Learn how today's wet dog food blends have gotten a face lift, and how you'll provide your dog the nutrition he needs in the form he loves.
How to Treat Your Dog’s Dry Skin: Dry Puppy Skin Signs, Causes, and Treatments
Learn about the symptoms, causes and treatments of dry puppy skin and how to provide relief for your dog. For expert skin care advice, visit Hill's Pet MT.
Overweight Dogs: A Recent Epidemic
Learn more about the problem of dog obesity and more importantly, what you can do to help your dog avoid becoming overweight.
What to Feed Your Pregnant or Nursing Dog
Learn what you can feed your pregnant or nursing dog to keep her and her new pups healthy.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.