My cat's claws

[Sacha]

Hi!

I'm a bit worried about my cat's claws.

Phoenix is a male, rather indoor cat (he goes outside on the WE only, and never goes far, a bit shy). He's 16 months old and in good health (last saw the vet for vaccination 2 weeks ago).

But his claws seem to scale off in layers, mostly at his back paws, and one claw literally desappeared in "shreds", with a slight bit of blood, today, when he came back from outside. I already saw the similar state before, but when we went to the vet everything was fine, and I didn't ask (stupid me).

Do you have any clues if it could be a desease (fungi infection?) or a lack of vitamines or ...?

Thanks for any help/advice!

Sacha

 

[Apache]

I'll try to be back later or tomorrow. This behaviour is quite normal when the claws are shed.

There shouldn't be blood. Does the cat have anything to scratch in the house, and does it use it?

 

[Sacha]

Hi!

Thanks for this quick reply, Apach!

I had a closer look at it, and I think the claw was damaged to the limit of the living tissue, he should have done it outside.

I desinfected the claw and Phoenix trimed the scales that were still on it. He also did his toilet and removed falling layers from other claws, too.

So now it doesn't look as frightening as it was (I'm a bit phobic about any nails problem...).

I know that cat's claws renove itselves by peeling external layer, but don't know if what I see with Phoenix is in normal proportions or exagerated...

Thank you again,

Sacha

PS sorry, forgot about the scratching question. We put special things on table legs and he has a ceiling high cat tree, but he doesn't use them a lot. He loves the front door rug. And sometimes the sofa... Of course, we are trying to discourage him for this one.

 

[Apache]

Try not to worry, but maybe pop him along to your vets for a check if you are worried. You could try posing a picture?