Claw Shedding in Cats

To many people, their pet cats are close companions and even best friends. Yet cats are a mysterious bunch that can dumbfound even the most avid cat lovers. One common behavior that often causes confusion is claw shedding. Although cat owners might be all too familiar with the shedding of fur, the shedding of claws is less frequent, so when it occurs it can be a cause for concern.

  1. Design

    • Despite what some people may think, cats' claws aren't just for ruining expensive furniture or scratching their owners during bath time. Unlike other four-legged animals, cats walk directly on their claws instead of on their paws. Digitigrade, or getting around on tiptoes, helps cats move at high speeds. Because felines evolved to be natural hunters, this is a useful adaptation. It gives them their amazing balance and impressive climbing skills. However, it also means their claws get a lot of wear and tear.

    Behavior

    • When cats scratch at cat posts--or that really expensive piece of furniture--they're not expressing malice. Rather, they're sharpening their nails. This scratching desire is necessary and natural for cats. This behavior not only keeps their claws in top shape for hunting and climbing, but it also helps them remove the outer covering of the nail, which can become ragged with wear.

    Misconception

    • When you find a claw on the ground, it might at first appear to be an entire cat claw. But if you look closely, you'll see that it's only an empty hull. Inspecting Fluffy's claws will confirm that indeed, he is not missing any claws. Regular scratching helps cats get rid of the exterior nail sheaths only.

    Frequency

    • Cats shed their claws all year long. They do this not on some sort of internal schedule, but as needed. Like human nails, cat claws grow and regenerate themselves continuously.

    Considerations

    • People who are fed up with scratched furniture, or are put off by finding discarded cat claws throughout the house, might consider declawing their cats. However, declawing is considered by many to be inhumane. Because cats walk on their claws, declawing a cat is the equivalent of taking a person's toes off. Additionally, declawed cats often experience psychological anguish because they no longer have their primary defense. Providing appropriate scratching surfaces, and training cats to scratch only those surfaces, can solve any scratching problems.