Dog owners with hardwood floors and expensive furniture may find themselves worrying about the extent of the damage their pets' claws may already have caused. Dogs, based on their temperament, can sometimes be very destructive. Other than chewing up furniture and toys, their claws may also cause unsightly scratches on floors, furniture, and even cause injury to people while playing or interacting with them. As such, some dog owners may wonder whether declawing is a solution. After all, declawing is a fairly standard procedure for household cats to prevent scratching.
While the procedure is controversial and actively recommended against by veterinarians and animal enthusiasts in general, some owners may view it as a better alternative than abandoning their pets. If cats can be declawed, can dogs be declawed as well?
Can a Dog be Declawed?
In short, it is not feasible to declaw a dog. While both cats and dogs have claws, they are constructed and used in a significantly different way. Cats use their claws for a variety of purposes, such as climbing, scratching, and self-defense. Dogs, on the other hand, do not require their claws for these purposes. Dogs do not use their claws much, and they mostly use them for digging, scratching, or other small tasks. Claws are not an essential tool for them like they are for cats.
Declawing is a surgical procedure that is designed to remove the claws at the root, which in cats involves amputating the upper knuckle where the claw grows. It is a permanent solution to nail growth. Dogs' claws don't work the same way, and the structure of their paws would make a similar procedure physically impossible. It would be more harmful than beneficial to attempt to remove a dog's claws and could impair their ability to walk and run effectively.
Understanding the Procedure
Declawing is not as straightforward as merely removing the claw itself; it involves amputating the bone that houses the claw. In cats, this equates to amputating the toe's upper knuckle. This is part of the reason why declawing is such a controversial procedure—it is not nail trimming, but rather amputation.
Since dogs' claws and feet are so utterly different from those of cats, not only would the surgery be useless, but it would also be exceedingly painful and impede the dog's movement. The actual anatomy of the two animals renders declawing a futile and dangerous option for dogs.
Trimming Dog Claws: A Practical Solution
While declawing is not an option, the maintenance of a dog's claws is both possible and required for the health of the dog and the integrity of furniture and floors. Trimming of the claws should be a normal practice in a dog's grooming. The frequency of trimming depends on the rate of claw growth and whether the dog naturally wears down the claws through activities like walking on rough surfaces.
Natural Wear and Tear
Ideally, a dog's claws will wear down naturally by normal exercise. Dogs that hike a lot or walk on hard surfaces such as concrete will naturally maintain their claws. These surfaces will gradually wear the claws down, and trimming will not be frequently necessary. However, even with natural wear, it's wise to smooth down any rough edges to avoid irritation and to properly groom the claws.
Clippers for Quick Trimming
Clippers are the quickest and most effective method of trimming claws for the majority of pet owners. Similar to human nail clippers, only larger, these devices allow owners to trim the nails quickly and effectively. Care must be taken not to cut the quick—the blood vessel inside the nail. Trimming the quick will cause bleeding, so trimming should be done cautiously. Regular trimming keeps the quick from growing too long, making it more difficult to cut safely.
Using Grinders for Precision
For a more precise and controlled trimming session, grinders are a convenient tool. These mechanical gadgets feature rotating blocks that can safely trim tough claws. Grinders allow more leeway in trimming, as it is simpler to shape the nails without cutting the quick. They are especially convenient for smoothing out sharp edges and rounding the tips to prevent accidental scratches.
Nail Covers: A Non-Invasive Solution
For pet owners who would like to prevent scratching without constantly trimming nails, nail covers offer an innovative solution. Vinyl caps that are soft are placed over the dog's claws, creating a protective barrier that scratches cannot penetrate. While they do not eliminate the necessity for periodic trimming, nail covers slow down the growth process and protect furniture, flooring, and other surfaces.
Nail covers are typically applied with a non-toxic adhesive, and they are flexible enough to allow the dog to proceed with normal activities such as walking, playing, and digging. The caps typically stay on for 4 to 6 weeks, after which time they will naturally fall off as the nails grow. Owners can then cut the nails and reapply new covers if desired.
Conclusion
As a final point, declawing is not a feasible or safe operation to be done in dogs, nor is it necessary given the way dogs use their claws. Instead, owners can take care of regular grooming, either by trimming with clippers or by using nail grinders, to maintain the claws in optimal condition. Nail covers offer a different solution for protecting furniture and floors without needing to trim incessantly. With proper care, a dog's claws can be kept under control, catering to the dog's needs as well as keeping household items safe.
