Claw Nails

Claws are very important structures for cats. They are scythe-shaped appendage to the end bone of the toes, and are a continuation of cats’ epidermis, which contains blood vessels and nerves. Cats’ claws normally have the growth rate of 19.9mm per week, and they regrow in six to nine months.

A normal cat has five toes and one claw per foot on the front feet, and four toes and one claw per foot on the back feet. Some cats may be polydactyls when they have more than 18 toes in total.

Claws can be extended or retracted with specialized muscles, tendons and ligaments to fulfill various functions, such as climbing, balance, digging, self-defense and holding a prey.

Claws are made up of a hard protein called keratin which forms the sheath that protect the quick in the center of the claw which contains blood vessels and nerves.

In fact, claws are not only useful and powerful in cats’ daily living, they are also vital to cats’ health. Claws can be injured or infected, and if the health issue is neglected on even one or more claws, the most serious result can be death.

1. Claw Biting

Claws can be injured by biting. Some cats will bite and chew their claws when they are grooming. This may remove the outer sheath from the claw, exposing the quick with the blood vessels and nerves underneath.

As with grooming, claw biting can be a compulsive behavior, just as it is in the case of humans. In general, claw biting is a part of cats’ grooming routine, and if the situation is serious, we need to seek veterinarians for treatments and ways to prevent further claw biting.

2. Claw Diseases

Claws can be infected with various organisms. Some common infections include trauma, infection, onychomycosis, pemphigus, systemic lupus erythematosus.

Trauma – Trauma is commonly caused by a tear or break, and is normally not a serious problem. However, if the cat often licks its paw and limps, we need to seek help from veterinarians as soon as possible.

Infection – Infection takes place when the claws fail to heal or if there are signs of swelling, bleeding and pussy. It can be bacterial infection when the wound is limited to one or more claws on the same foot. In case more than two claws are wounded on the same foot, or if both feet are wounded, then it can be either a viral infection or feline leukemia. Leukemia can be lethal if not the cats are not treated promptly.

Onychomycosis – This is a fungal infection of the claw and even clawbed (which is known as paronychia). The infected claw usually has a thickened, yellow or cloudy surface. The claws may be rough and crumbly. In some cases, the claws are separated from the clawbed. Cats do not usually feel pain or show other bodily symptoms unless it becomes severe.

Onychomycosis can be treated with some natural substances, such as thyme oil and snakeroot leaf extract, both have the potential to be effective against the fungus.

Pemphigus and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are autoimmune diseases that may affect the claws. While pemphigus affects primarily the skin and mucus of the mouth, SLE attacks the connective tissues in much wider areas, including the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

3. Caring Cats’ Claws

Cats’ claws grow continually. The claws are usually damaged when the cats climb and scratch on different things. Domesticated cats can keep their claws short with the use of scratching posts so as to avoid damage. In some cases, however, cats’ claws may grow too long, especially when the cats become old or are without scratching posts.

One common way to keep claws short is by regular trimming. This prevents the claw to overgrow into the foot pad. This habit is best kept from kittenhood so that the cats would become more used to this claw trimming.