2007-02-25 12:53:29 · 8 answers · asked by tooteebug 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Make sure it's really the claw and not the outer layer of the claw. You'll be able to tell by how thick it is (the outer layer is only a little thicker than a piece of paper, while a whole claw is relatively more three-dimensional) and by what it looks like (If it really is a whole claw, you'll be able to see the blood or quick in the center of the widest end). If it's just the outer layer, then it's perfectly normal. Cats shed these by biting them off or "sharpening their claws," scratching something (usually a couch) to tear off the worn-out outer layer of claw. Finding them around the house is common and natural, though a good vacuuming every once in a while reduces your chances of it.
Cats CAN actually lose their claws, and I can only imagine it hurts a heck of a lot. Such an occurance is non-fatal. It happened to my cat's dewclaw, when he was still checking out our new house and easily spooked. I never found the claw, though I did examine his paw and found that it had snapped clean off.
A sudden jerk, like a cat yanking its paw out of a carpet to run away, can take off a claw (short-looped pile carpet it especially bad, as it catches on everything). But it usually only takes off the outer sheathe at most. If she got scared and ran away or spazzed, it wouldn't be surprising to find that she left some worn-out sheathes behind. Broken-off claws do eventually grow back, so even if it was the whole claw you were referring to, your kitten won't become the "clawless wonder."
To avoid your kitten breaking a claw, trim them regularly. Just a little off the tip is enough. Stay well away from the quick, and you'll avoid pain for both you and your kitten, who could be scared if you hit the quick and has about twenty claws more than you. Use real cat claw-clippers instead of scissors or toenail clippers, and if you have any doubts, you can always have your vet show you how its done the next time you take kitty in for a check-up.
2007-02-25 14:48:00 · answer #1 · answered by dragon8rider2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their claws shed an outside layer. So you can see what looks like an entire claw on the carpet, but it's really just a shell that shed off the regular claw.
2007-02-25 12:57:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
With four cats I may find a couple almost every day. Those are ones that don't get vacuumed up or are shed outside on the garden trees and the redwood sculpture there.
They are just the dead sheaths that cover the cats' claws.
2007-02-25 13:28:47 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those are the outer layers of the cat's claws which are shed periodically. That's why cats like to scratch things - to help the claws shed dead layers and to sharpen them.
2007-02-25 16:49:20 · answer #4 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason is ,I have a cat has 8 kittens that is very playful.when they see me holding something sharp they think ,I'm ganna kill them. they will attack me with there claws thats very sharp until today ,I have a wond in my leg. they use thier claws to protect them from enemys.
2007-02-25 13:07:36 · answer #5 · answered by anthonyjohnsi 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
their claws shed
2007-02-25 13:16:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was probably just shedding. Nothing to worry about
2007-02-25 15:32:58 · answer #7 · answered by orangesaremmmy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
anthonyjo....does not make any sense - go with the first answer
2007-02-25 13:28:53 · answer #8 · answered by mystic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋