Do Cats Shed Their Claws?

​You may have noticed some claw peelings on the floor that belonged to your cat and are feeling a bit concerned about whether this is normal. After all, it must feel concerning if you see parts of your cat around your house that aren’t attached to the cat itself.

​However, this is something that is a part of cats’ maintenance routine as they are constantly sharpening their claws. When they peel an older layer of their claw off, it will reveal a sharper layer underneath that allows them to climb, hunt, or defend themselves if needed.

In this guide, we’ll be taking you through everything you need to know about cats shedding their claws, and what you can do to make sure that your cat is as safe as possible. 

​Do Cats Shed Their Claws? And Why?

It is most likely that your cat is an active creative that is constantly exploring and scratching various surfaces.

​When they scratch on a surface, this is causing the claw to trim and shed away, as a newer layer is revealing itself which is much sharper to allow your cat to hunt, climb, and defend themselves. 

Shedding claws is a crucial part of your cat’s maintenance as it will ensure that any dull layers in your cat’s claws are eliminated as soon as possible to ensure that the claws are in the best condition possible to maintain their function. 

​Is It Possible For Cats To Break Their Claws?

There are times when there is cause for concern. If you notice that there is a full claw on the floor and there are signs of blood, or your cat is missing a nail on its paw, then this is a sign that the claw has broken off and will need to be treated.

Just as people can break their nails, the same can happen to a cat. The nail will grow back over time, but it’s best to take your cat to the vet as there is a potential for pain, infection, or excessive bleeding to occur.

​Therefore, by going to the vet, you are limiting the risk of long-term damage and ensuring that your cat will have the time to heal.

​What Happens If The Claw Has Broken?

As mentioned above, if you are sure that the claw has broken, then visiting the vet is the best thing to do.

However, bear in mind that it isn’t considered an emergency unless there is excessive bleeding that will not stop or if your cat is in a tremendous amount of pain that will not go away.

There are certain products such as styptic powder that are available at the majority of pet stores that can help reduce or stop the bleeding as well as help with any discomfort that your cat may be feeling. 

If this occurs on a weekend or holiday, then closely monitor your cat’s behavior closely as your vet will most likely not be open.

​However, if your cat is refusing to eat or drink and is acting unusually, then you may want to consider taking it to an emergency vet. Although this will cost a lot, it will ensure that your cat gets better. 

​How To Care For A Cat’s Claws

You may be wondering how you can take care of your cat’s claws. Luckily, there are steps you can take to ensure that your cat is happy and healthy and that their claw maintenance is running as normally as possible.

The first thing you should do is ensure that you are checking your cat’s claws regularly. Make sure that they are not too long as this can cause injury and deep cuts if they scratch themselves.

If you have to trim your cat’s nails, this is extremely easy to do. If you have the money to spend, you can pay for a cat grooming service to do this for you. However, if you have to do it yourself, you can visit your local vet, and they will be able to guide you through the procedure. 

If your cat wears claw caps, then you will need to maintain a regular nail routine to ensure that your cat’s claws are as healthy as possible.

​The claw caps require you to trim the nails before putting the caps on. However, if you are unsure how to do this, you can visit your local vet, and they will be able to assist and guide you through the procedure to ensure that you are doing this correctly.

fREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is It Normal For A Cat To Lose A Claw?

A cat can absolutely lose a claw as shedding claws is a regular part of a cat’s routine and maintenance.

You may find some of your cat’s claws lying around, but this isn’t necessarily a cause for concern as it is most likely an old layer of peel from your cat’s claw that they have shed in order to reveal a sharper layer beneath. 

Do Cats Trim Their Own Back Nails?

Cat claws are made from multiple layers which are maintained in different ways. When it comes to the back layer, cats will remove this layer by trimming or scratching the layer off over time to unveil a sharper nail. 

How Often Does A Cat Shed Its Claws?

A cat shed its claws when the claw has grown beyond the quick, claw husk, or outer sheath. When they shed the claw, this will reveal a sharper nail that they can use for climbing, hunting, or self-defense. A cat’s claws will usually shed every two or three months.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cats do shed their claws, and it is a regular part of their maintenance routine. However, bear in mind that if your cat is shedding its claws frequently, it may be a cause for concern as this can result in damage to the claws and feet.

​Therefore, if you are feeling worried or concerned, always consult your local vet.

You should find that as your cat grows older, their maintenance routine may change, so you should regularly check your cat for any scratches or injuries to be safe.