Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism or other hormonal imbalances, can lead to abnormal nail growth, including overgrown dew claws.Additionally, older dogs may be more prone to overgrown nails as their activity levels decrease with age.

For example, the breeds with double dew claws.

Age and breed factors: Some dog breeds are more susceptible to overgrown dew claws due to their genetics.

Particularly in dogs with already minimal contact between their dew claws and the ground. This can contribute to the overgrowth of dew claws. Inactivity or limited exercise: Dogs that are predominantly inactive or have limited opportunities for exercise may not experience enough friction on their nails to wear them down naturally.If not trimmed regularly, dew claws can grow excessively long, leading to potential issues. Lack of regular trimming: Since dew claws usually don’t touch the ground, they don’t experience the natural wear and tear that helps keep other nails at a healthy length.These can range from a lack of regular maintenance to certain medical conditions. Overgrown dew claws in dogs can result from various factors. Owners must ensure they are adequately cared for to prevent potential issues. It’s essential for dog owners to understand the importance of dew claws. As a result, they can easily become overgrown if not properly maintained. Therefore, they don’t naturally wear down like the other nails. In many dogs, however, the dew claws don’t touch the ground.

Some breeds even have double dew claws, such as the Great Pyrenees and Briard, which are considered a breed standard. They may help dogs gain better traction and stability when running or climbing, and they can also assist in holding objects like bones or toys while chewing. While they might not seem as functional as the other nails, they do serve a purpose.ĭew claws are vestigial digits that, in some cases, can be useful for dogs during various activities. They are located on the inner side of a dog’s paw, slightly higher up than the other nails. Dew claws are the small, often overlooked nails.

Trim dew claw dog