DO CATS CLAWS GROW BACK? HOW TO HELP YOUR CAT
Do cats claws grow back? What happens if your cat loosed some of his claws or if he gets declawed? Cats are getting themselves into any trouble, it would make sense that they lose a claw sooner or later, or something is happening with their claws. The most important part is to figure out how to resolve any possible issue.
Cats claws will grow back again if cats claws are trimmed, if a cat accidentally loses one or more claws, and if a claw is completely ripped off by accident. However, if a cat is being declawed, claws are not growing back.
Let’s see when a cat claw can actually grow back.
DO CATS CLAWS GROW BACK WHEN TRIMMED?
All cat owners sooner or later have to deal with their cat’s claws, whether it is for trimming their claws or because of an accident that injured a paw and its claw. Most cats go through life without anyone trimming their nails.
It is more common for an indoor cat to get his claws trimmed, especially if there is no way for this cat to learn to use scratching posts. In fact, there is no need to trim cat’s nails. Cats are good at trimming their nails scratching around hard surfaces. Cats maintain their claws not only by scratching, to shed old claw sheaths, or chewing them.
Unfortunately, those hard surfaces can be the house furniture, but some cats can be educated to use scratching posts. In this case, it is possible to let a cat take care of his own claws. Humans do not need to intervene. If your cat is scratching your favorite couch or chair, he is merely trying to take care of his claws or to stretch. He is not trying to drive you crazy.
But, if a cat owner has to intervene and needs to trim his cat’s claws, it is essential to know that claws are growing back in two weeks on average. It is natural for claws to grow back similarly to our nails.
DO CATS CLAWS GROW BACK WHEN RIPPED OUT?
If a cat has an accident and ends up with one of his claw torn or ripped off, it can take way longer for the claw to regenerate. It may take up to one or two months for his claw to get back to its original state.
When a cat breaks its claws or a claw is ripped off, the first thing necessary is to help your cat get over the immediate pain and avoid infections. For cats, the experience of losing or breaking their claws is painful, they may lose blood, and the injury can infect.
A good idea would be to bring your cat to the vet to ensure the injury is treated. The vet may clean it, give your cat antibiotics and painkillers. Cats may cry, try to lick their paw excessively, lose blood and overall be in pain.
After cleaning the paw and disinfecting the injury, it is better to bandage the paw to prevent licking. It is important to watch closely the regrow of the claw to make sure that it is growing correctly. In case of any issue, the cat should be brought to the vet.
CAN CATS REGROW THEIR CLAWS AFTER BEING DECLAWED?
In the case of declawing, claws are not going to grow back because “declawing” is actually partial toes amputation. Therefore, there is nothing to grow from. The part of the cat’s bodies that produce claw growth is gone.
Declawing is a horrible thing to do because it is like removing part of their paws. It creates painful consequences for cats in doing the most simple things like jumping or walking. Cats base their defenses on their claws and agility. Declawing a cat puts them in danger because they cannot protect themself.
In few instances, it can happen that the surgery to declaw a cat is done wrong. In this case, claws could regrow back; however, claws can grow sideways and hurt a cat. If this happens, they have to revisit the vet for corrective surgery.
Declawing cats is illegal or considered inhuman in the following countries.
| England | New Zealand |
| Scotland | Serbia |
| Wales | Montenegro |
| Italy | Macedonia |
| Austria | Slovenia |
| Switzerland | France |
| Norway | Germany |
| Sweden | Bosnia |
| Ireland | Malta |
| Denmark | Netherlands |
| Finland | Northern Ireland |
| Slovenia | Portugal |
| Brazil | Belgium |
| Australia | Israel |
DO CATS CLAWS FALL OUT?
Cats’ claws shed naturally after a few months, but only the outer layer. Underneath remain the newly grown sharper claw. It is natural for cats to shed their claws. Often they scratch to remove the older layer of their claws.
As we said before, cats are totally able to maintain their claws without human intervention. If cats do not scratch, their claws can grow too much and curl underneath, creating problems for cats since the curled claw can damage the cat’s pads.
Therefore it is not really the claw that falls out, but the outer side of the claw. It is a natural event and differs from declawing and a claw that gets torn or ripped off.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Here some related questions and related answers:
- What to do when a cat loses a claw?
When a cat loses a claw, the first thing to do is to stop the bleeding if the injury bleeds. If there is a piece of claw still attached, it has to be removed. Clean the wound and disinfect it. Place a bandage over the paw, if possible, to prevent the cat from licking it. The wound should be cleaned daily. However, if it is becoming complicated, bring the cat to the vet for professional help.
- Is it normal for a cat to lose a claw?
It can happen for cats to lose claws or to have accidents resulting in losing a claw. Cats shed their claws routinely. Therefore, it is not unusual.
- How often trim cat claws?
About every two weeks, one should trim cats’ claws. This is about the time it takes for claws to regrow.
- How do you know if your cat’s claws are too long?
If your cat gets his claws stack into carpets and other soft surfaces, it means that his claws are grown a bit too much. Suppose you see that their claws are becoming curved and do not retract completely. It is a sign that claws are grown too much.
- What are the long terms effects of declawing?
When a cat doesn’t have his claws anymore due to declawing, it means that his toes were partially amputated. It is gross, but it is the truth. Cats can experience pain when they walk. Imagine you got your toes partially cut. How would you walk?
Cats can limp, walk unsteady, and experience behavior problems like aggression, biting, and incorrect use of the litter box. Additionally, due to the constant pain, cats may become depressed and not enjoy their life because of it.
- What can I do instead of declawing my cat?
An alternative to declawing could be to teach your cat to use scratching posts and protect the surfaces he always scratches. Nail trimming can be another solution for your cat, it has to be done regularly, but it is a better alternative to declawing. There are also cats repellents and sprays to use on surfaces to keep cats away. Make sure those are natural products.
- Do cats claws need to be trimmed?
Cats use to maintain their claws by scratching and biting their claws. They have their methods to maintain their nails sharps and healthy. Typically if they are provided with enough scratching posts, cats can do the rest.
CONCLUSION
Cats are self equipped with tools and means to take care of their claws. Claws are naturally growing back after trimming or after they lose a claw accidentally. However, they need assistance if they get injured, not to get an infection and lower the pain.
