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An extra toenail on dogs and cats is called a dewclaw. Whether they exist, how many, and which type they are varies by the exact breed. It could be that they exist for helping to hold prey, hold bones, or gain traction on certain surfaces. They serve little purpose in domesticated animals.

Whether dewclaws should be removed depends on the type of dewclaw, the role of the pet, and the breed of the animal. If the dewclaws are of the soft variety which are not connected to bone, they don't touch the ground when running, or the pet is more likely to be used for work, then they are more likely to be candidates for removal. Bony dewclaws should generally not be removed unless there is a medical reason, since they are actual toes and would result in considerable pain and a surgery that is more difficult to perform when compared to removing the soft dewclaws. However, repeated injuries might justify removal, and serious infection or gangrene would be a definite justification.

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