First, what are dog dewclaws? Dog dewclaws are small, toe-like appendages with a toenail located slightly above a dog’s feet on the inside of the legs. Some breeds have them on the front legs, some on the back legs and some have dewclaws on both the front and back legs.

The “Dewclaws Have no Purpose” Argument

Many authorities say that dog dewclaws have no purpose. Dogs are thought to have evolved from a tree climbing ancestor some 30 – 40 million years ago, the miacis, a cat-like carnivore that used this fifth toe to live a somewhat arboreal life. As dogs adapted to living on the ground, they needed speed to catch their prey. They began to run on their toes and their dewclaws no longer touched the ground.

Some breeders routinely remove dog dewclaws when puppies are 2 – 3 days old. Reasons for removal include:

• Appearance – show dogs may lose points if they have dewclaws. (But some breeds will be disqualified from shows if they don’t have dewclaws!)
• Injury Avoidance – Dog Dewclaws can get caught in brush outdoors and carpet indoors, resulting in a lot of pain and blood.
• Care – Dog dewclaws need to be trimmed regularly.

The “Dewclaws Have a Purpose” Argument

Other authorities claim that dog dewclaws do have a purpose. They say that dewclaws help dogs to grip bones and other toys. Dewclaws are also thought to help dogs in agility trials and racing dogs to corner more efficiently.

It’s okay if your dog doesn’t have dewclaws. He’s probably not missing them. If your dog does have dewclaws, they sometimes need regular care to maintain your dog’s health. Dog dewclaws can grow rapidly and you or your vet will need to trim them to keep them from snagging on branches or fabric. Another problem is that some dogs’ dewclaws grow in a circle and can dig into the toe pads.

It’s important that you use special clippers to trim your dog’s dewclaws or the other claws. Human clippers or fingernail scissors do not work well for this job and can cause pain. You can find more information on nail clippers or scissors for dogs here.

I first tried John Paul Pet Oatmeal Shampoo by chance when a hair salon owner gave it to me in return for a favor. It really helped with my beagle’s itching problem. Both of my dogs have beautiful silky fur after I bath them with it. It is really concentrated so only a small amount is needed each time and the 16 ounce bottle lasts a long time.

The label states that it is “specifically formulated to moisturize dry, flaky, sensitive skin.” The ingredients include aloe vera, oatmeal and sweet almond oil.

John Paul Pet Oatmeal Shampoo is cruelty free and tested first on humans. And it smells nice, too!

Have you tried this product before? Let us know what you think.

Is your dog older? Does he or she suffer from arthritis or have joint pain? If you answered yes to either one of these questions, you should invest in an orthopedic dog bed. An orthopedic dog bed is also a good idea for a dog with hip dysplasia or a thinner dog with less fat to cushion his bones.

A good orthopedic dog bed should consist of memory foam which conforms to the dog’s body, and supports aching joints and back. It is important that the foam is high-quality, high-density and distributes weight evenly. It should not flatten under your dog’s weight. An orthopedic dog bed can be up to 7 inches thick. It needs to have a removable, washable cover which should also be waterproof if your dog has issues with incontinence.

The size of your orthopedic dog bed will depend on the size of your dog. Most size charts depend only on the dog’s weight, but your dog’s length and height are important, too. Measure your dog’s length from the end of his or her nose to the base of the tail. Measure the height from the top of his or her head to the ground when standing. Then shop for a dog bed that is at least those dimensions or larger.

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