3 Things You Might Not Know About Your Cat’s Claws

You’ll likely notice your cat’s nails when they leave their mark on either you or your furniture. And if you’ve ever gotten stuck in your cat’s vice grip after making the mistake of trying to playfully pet their stomach, the experience might prompt some questions.

If you’re curious, we want to help — so here are three things you might not know about your cat’s claws.

1.   Cat Nails Are Always Growing

A human’s nails grow throughout their entire life — and your cat isn’t any different. This is less of an issue for outdoor cats because they live in an environment with many textures that help to keep their claws managed.

But indoor cats don’t have those rough terrains, so they need special care given to their nails. When you take your cat for a physical exam at the Feline Medical Clinic, we can inspect your cat’s nails to make sure they’re healthy and trimmed.

2.   Cats Shed Their Claw Sheaths

If you’ve had your cat for a while, you may have come across a husk in the shape of your cat’s claw lying around the house. That’s nothing to worry about. Cat claws are made out of keratin, and as they grow, the material starts to die off. Eventually, they’ll shed their claw sheaths entirely, revealing a new and healthy nail underneath.

3.   The Ethics of Declawing

You might think that declawing is as natural a process as getting your cat spayed or neutered. In concept, it sounds as simple as a nail trim. After all, it’s tempting as a way to save yourself and your furniture from scratching and clawing. But the practice is actually a lot more physically invasive than that.

There are several methods of declawing, but they’re all fairly intense and physically demanding for your furry friend. It’s why the Humane Society opposes declawing cats unless it’s medically necessary, and why most vet clinics consider the practice to be harmful and unethical.

Your feline is a companion that you should make the effort to care for and understand. And if you’re looking for a provider that can take the time to treat your cat the way they deserve, you’ll find that at the Feline Medical Clinic. We cover the basics of cat care, along with an array of helpful treatments for your feline friend like cat acupuncture.

To learn what your cat needs to thrive, contact the Feline Medical Clinic today.