Spotting and Treating Ingrown Nails In Cats
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Cats in the wild rarely face ingrown nails due to natural tree climbing. However, domestic cats indoors might need grooming help. Does your cat have this issue? Look for the claw growing into the foot pad. An ingrown cat nail can cause discomfort. Learn to spot it and help your feline friend!
Key Takeaways
Trimming Routine: Regularly trim your cat’s nails every four to six weeks to prevent overgrowth and potential ingrown nails. Seek professional help if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself. Here are some tips to help restrain a cat when clipping nails.
At-Home Care: If you notice early signs of an ingrown claw, such as contact with the paw pad, you can attempt to resolve it at home by carefully trimming the nail and cleaning the paw pad.
Vet Consultation: Seek veterinary attention if you encounter difficulties in trimming the nail, observe bleeding, or notice signs of infection in the paw pad, such as swelling, oozing, or warmth.
Preventive Measures: Regular exercise on abrasive surfaces helps naturally grind down a cat’s nails, preventing them from becoming excessively long and reducing the risk of ingrown claws.
What is an Ingrown Cat Claw?
Ingrown nails are prevalent in both cats and dogs. As their nails grow and don’t wear down, they can curve back toward the paw, leading to pain. If left unattended, it might lead to infections in the paw. Regular trimming and care are crucial to avoid this discomfort for your pet.
The Cause of Your Cat’s Ingrown Nail
When your cat stands up on their hind legs and vigorously scratches with their front paws, it’s a natural grooming behavior to maintain nail sharpness. Overgrown nails aren’t an issue in the wild or with proper scratching tools. But nail overgrowth is common for indoor cats without access to scratching posts. Their claws might curl and pierce the paw pads without trimming or scratching outlets.
How to Spot a Cat’s Ingrown Nail
Diagnosing this condition can be done by simply examining your cat’s paw pads. You’ll easily spot a curved nail touching the paw pad, a sign that it’s getting tangled in blankets or carpets due to the inability to retract fully. Listen for a tapping sound when your cat walks on hard surfaces, and watch for signs like intermittent bleeding, limping, or increased lethargy. Sometimes, affected cats may lick or bite their feet due to the discomfort while moving.
An infection in the affected paw pad is frequently associated with ingrown claws. You might notice discharge, ranging from clear yellow to thick yellow-green, indicating an infection. The accumulation of bacteria and fungus around the nails is typical in cats. Still, it becomes problematic if the paw pad’s outer layer is pierced, leading to infection.
Noticing a Cat Claw Growing Into the Pad?
If you notice nails growing into your cat’s paw pads, it’s crucial to promptly book a veterinary appointment to tackle this painful condition. Each step your cat takes can worsen the paw pad injuries, potentially leading to long-term damage.
Your vet will need to sedate or anesthetize your cat for treatment as removing an ingrown nail is extremely painful. Although clipping the nail is usually straightforward, extra care is required to prevent further harm to the paw. The vet will cleanse the wound with a surgical disinfectant safe for living tissue. Depending on the depth and severity, surgical trimming of the surrounding paw pad tissue and suturing might be necessary.
The procedure is generally swift and straightforward. Depending on the injury’s severity, your cat might receive antibiotics and pain relief. They may need paw bandages and a cone collar to deter paw chewing, with recovery usually spanning one to two weeks. With vet care, cat ingrown nails have a positive outlook. Regular nail trims are crucial to prevent recurring issues. If you need help withyou’re nail trimming, your vet can assist.
Preventing cat ingrown nails is entirely possible. Early training for nail trims is ideal, yet it’s a grooming practice well worth the time and effort. Regular nail care isn’t just about appearances; it’s a critical preventive measure for your cat’s well-being, ensuring a happy and healthy life.
How to Treat an Ingrown Cat Claw
Although an ingrown claw can cause discomfort, it’s usually not life-threatening. If the overgrown nail is minor, you can trim it at home. Use pet nail clippers, cutting just above where it penetrates the paw. The tip should come out or can be gently removed with tweezers.
Clean the area with warm water and mild antiseptic to prevent infection. For irritated pads, a warm salt foot bath can speed up healing. If your cat is uneasy, gently wrap them in a towel, exposing only the affected paw.
Take your cat to the vet for deeply embedded nails or signs of infection (redness, pus, swelling). They’ll trim excess hair, cut nails, safely remove the ingrown claw, and provide necessary wound care and antibiotics.
How to Prevent Ingrown Nails in Cats
Pet owners can take proactive steps to prevent ingrown claws in cats. Begin by ensuring regular nail trims every four to six weeks, adjusted as per your cat’s age, breed, and activity level. If uncomfortable with trimming, seek assistance from a veterinarian or groomer.
At home, gently trim excess hair between the toes to expose the paw pads and nails, especially if your cat has long hair. Regularly inspect your cat’s paws for signs of issues like overgrown nails, bleeding, or inflammation.
While nails continue to grow, encourage exercise on rough surfaces like asphalt or concrete to naturally wear down the nails and maintain a healthy length.
When to Consult with Your Vet
Suppose your cat’s ingrown claw has recently begun touching the pad. In that case, you can usually address this issue at home by trimming the nail and tending to the pad. However, if you find it challenging to trim overgrown nails, or notice bleeding or signs of infection in the pad—like swelling, oozing, or warmth—seek a vet appointment.
