Shedding Nails in a Cat

Though most owners are aware of their cat̵7;s ability to shed fur, the almost-as-frequent behavior of claw shedding is not as well-known. Claw shedding occurs throughout the year as necessary and is as painless to your fluffy feline as fur shedding. This remarkable feat is directly related to the way a cat walks and is a necessity that helps cats continue to be nimble and quick as they run, play and hunt.

  1. Digitigrade

    • Cats are classified as digitigrade animals. That is, instead of walking on the soles of their feet, cats walk on the tips of their toes. This ability to use a smaller surface area accounts for cats' swiftness, contributes to their ability to balance well and allows them to move much more quietly and with great stealth. Because felines walk in this manner, the claws on a cat̵7;s paw act as a type of last digit and therefore get much more wear and tear, which cause the claw to actually split and shed.

    Claw Sheath

    • While at first glance it may appear to be a whole nail that your cat has shed, in actuality it is the cover of the claw. Like an onion, the claw sheds in layers. As the claw becomes ragged and torn from use, a newer layer underneath forms and hardens and the older layer becomes a sheath that eventually falls off.

    Scratching to Aid Shedding

    • It is true that scratching is used by cats to mark their territory, but the act of scratching is also a way for cats to groom themselves and keep their claws healthy. Cats scratch on furniture, tree limbs and just about anything they can, to help shed old and damaged claw coverings that have split from the wear and tear of everyday use. To keep a cat̵7;s claws and paws healthy, owners should provide their cats with a proper place to scratch.

    Back Claws vs. Front Claws

    • While cats are able to aid the shedding process of their front claws through scratching, the back claws require a little more effort. Since it is difficult to actively scratch something with their back paws, cats will chew at their back claws when they become ragged. This grooming technique is akin to using a nail file or Emory board, where the cat chews and rubs its teeth against the worn claw to help encourage the damaged sheath to release from the claw, exposing the new, sharper claw underneath.

    Owner Assistance

    • Though cats are able to groom themselves easily, owners can play a special role in aiding their cat̵7;s claw shedding necessity. Providing appropriate scratching posts or designated places for their cats to scratch will help your cat keep its nails in good condition. Learning how to properly trim your cat̵7;s nails using clippers designated for felines -- or bringing it to a professional groomer -- is also a good way to encourage proper claw shedding, which contributes to overall healthy paws in your cat companion.