If you have hardwood floors, expensive tile or furniture you don’t want scratched, you may be wondering whether you can declaw a dog. We all know about controversial procedures that exist for cats, but can dogs be declawed as well? First of all, why would you want to declaw your dog in the first place? Declawing a dog would require a very cruel and painful surgery and leave your dog with fewer means of defense.
Luckily, there is no known surgery for this process and it’s highly unlikely that you would ever find a veterinarian or clinic who would declaw a puppy. If you’re looking for information on how to declaw your dog because you’re worried about protecting your home or kids from dog nails, you should try buying dog claw or nail covers.
Learn more about why owners can’t get dogs declawed, how to care for your dog’s nails, and alternatives such as regular trimming and claw covers.
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What Is Declawing?
Declawing is a procedure for cats that involves a lot more than simply pulling out their claws. This surgery basically removes their knuckle bones from their feet. Essentially, it’s like having the tips of their fingers removed. Sounds painful, doesn’t it? Well, it is, and some cats never fully recover after being declawed, and experience pain for the rest of their lives. This is not something you want your pets to experience, especially your beloved puppies!
What If My Dog’s Claws Are Sharp?
It’s a pretty good sign that your dog’s claws are way too long and sharp if they tear up your skin on a regular basis. However, this doesn’t mean that your dog’s nails need to be removed. Instead, you should learn how to properly cut, trim and maintain them to reduce the risk of injuring others. Alternatively, you can visit any local groomer or veterinarian to perform this service for you.
Another reason to properly maintain your dog’s nails is if you have new flooring or furniture. Whether they are walking, running, or jumping, dogs with long nails can scratch floors and tear up leather or fabric upholstery.
Why Do Dogs Need Their Claws?
Dogs need to keep their claws for various reasons. Naturally, they need their claws to be able to scratch their itches. Pets also use them to help maintain proper grip and balance while climbing up things or running on tougher terrain. Moreover, puppies use their claws for digging and playing.
It’s important to allow your dogs to live their lives without any handicaps, which is why you should trim your canine’s nails rather than declawing them. As mentioned above, this is something that your local vet or groomer can do, but you can also get the tools and learn how to do it yourself to save money and a traumatic trip to the vet.
What About Dew Claws?
Although procedures for declawing dogs don’t exist, veterinarians may choose to remove your dog’s dew claws. The dew claw is basically a thumb or a toe, and most dogs have both front and rear dew claws. The front dew claws should never be removed unless they’ve been injured or absolutely necessary.
Rear dew claws are often removed to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. However, you should leave them intact if your dogs aren’t having any issues. Properly maintaining your dog’s nails should keep them from developing any health problems with their nails.
Top 3 Best Alternatives to Declawing
Luckily, there are alternatives to declawing your dog that are safer, easier, and much less expensive. Three of the most popular options include regular trimming and using claw or nail covers.
- Trimming – It is a good idea to start trimming your dog’s nails when they are puppies. Not only does this help them to get used to the procedure, it is also going to ensure that their claws are regularly maintained so that they never get too long. If you allow the nails to get too long, you will have to trim them in stages since you can’t cut too much off at once. If you are worried about cutting into the quick, you can get a special electric grinder to file the nail down safely, making it the process shorter and smoother
- Claw Covers – Many people think that claw covers are just for cats, but you can get them for your dog as well. These covers are made from silicone and they slide right over your puppy’s claws. They are easy to put on, and they come with a special non-toxic glue to help keep them in place for up to six weeks at a time.
- Dog Shoes, Socks and Booties – While it may sound made up, dogs can wear shoes and socks. Dog booties are particularly useful when protecting hardwood floors. The best part is that dog shoes and socks come in a variety of colors and sizes, and are super cheap – costing between $5 and $20.
No, You Can’t Declaw A Dog
Declawing dogs is not only painful for them but is also the equivalent of removing the tips of their fingers. Therefore, you should never declaw your dogs (there aren’t any options available anyways). Instead, learn how to properly maintain your dog’s claws or find a professional that can do this for you on a regular-basis. You can also choose to buy nail or claw covers for them which will help protect your floors and furniture without handicapping your dogs.