The cat loses its nails: possible causes, suitable treatments and prevention


How do you explain when a cat loses its nails? Let’s see what all the reasons behind them can be and what we can do to cure them.

They are used to cling, they must be filed and are an excellent defense weapon: we are talking about the nails of our cat. Yet even they can be subject to trauma and disease, as in the case, for example, in which the cat loses its nails. How can this happen and is there a way to avoid it? Here is what to know about this issue and what are the circumstances in which it could arise.


The cat’s nails

They are certainly his best weapon: the cat’s nails however need to be cared for and trimmed. They are a fundamental part of their body but also of its language; all cats have them and use them as both attack and defense weapons.

In composition it is similar to ours: the cat’s nail is in fact not a bone, nor is it connected to it. Its hardness is given by keratin, a substance that is also found in the structure of the hair (even those of the feline, in this case).

It is structured in three layers: germinative layer, nail plate and nail plate. The cat’s nail grows and must therefore be filed and less sharp as possible, as it could be very harmful even for us masters.

It will be advisable not only to understand how to cut them, also because the cat will take care of it alone and perhaps with the help of a scratch-puller, but also how to prevent some diseases that deform them, change their color and, in some cases, cause it to fall.


The cat loses its nails: the signs not to be underestimated

First of all we clarify that the cat can lose a piece of the nail but also the entire claws. It is obvious that there are evident signs of this lack on the paw of the feline:

  • the nail is not there,
  • blood comes out,
  • the cat feels pain,
  • compulsively licks his wound.

The cat loses its nails: possible causes

But how can this happen? Of course it is very likely that most of the time it is an accident, a trauma that hit the feline or that he himself ‘self-provoked’ (think for example of a fight in which he had the worst or a landing definitely not very soft).

In these occasional episodes, there is no need to worry, as these are annoying but still frequent incidents, especially if it is an adventurous and combative animal like the domestic cat.

The problem of nails that begin to fall out on their own and without any apparent trauma could be of a very different nature: it is in fact some diseases of the cat’s nails, which among the effects also include the loss of part of them or all of them. The pathological nature of this loss can be linked to both an infection and, in the worst cases, a carcinoma.


What can we do to help a cat not lose its claws

In fact, the question most often asked in similar circumstances is: what can I do to help my cat suffer less? In reality, we should strictly follow the advice of our trusted veterinarian, after having brought the cat to visit as soon as we notice the first signs of claw problems.

In fact, keeping his health under control also means not neglecting the nails: in this way it will be easier to notice any principles of infection or disease. In the first case, the problem can be tackled with special ointments and antibiotics.

In general, it is always better to give the cat an adequate diet, perhaps based on natural foods or in any case of excellent quality, which contribute to having not only better nails but also a more resistant and shiny coat.


Cat BreedsCat Food and Nutrition
Tips for Cat OwnersCat Training
Cat BehaviorKittens
Cat HealthCat Grooming
Cat AdoptionTravel with Cat
Holiday Season- Cat

Leave a Comment