Cats are digitigrade animals, meaning they walk on their toes. Most cats have 18 claws, with five on each front paw and four on each back paw. However, some cats are polydactyl, meaning they have extra digits and claws due to a genetic abnormality. Cats' claws are retractable, and they keep them sheathed within their paws when at rest. The act of trimming a cat's claws can be daunting, as they usually have strong feelings about it.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of claws | 18 claws in total (5 on each front paw and 4 on each back paw) |
Claws on front limbs | Sharper than those on the back paws |
Claws on back limbs | Not as sharp as those on the front paws |
Dewclaw | A small, rudimentary claw located inside the front paws and occasionally on the back paws |
Scent glands | Located in the paw pads |
Shedding of claws | The outer layer of the claws is shed every two to three months |
What You'll Learn
Domestic cats have 18 claws in total
Domestic cats typically have 18 claws in total. They have five claws on each front paw and four on each back paw. These claws are retractable, and when cats are at rest, they keep their claws sheathed within their paws. Cats can extend their claws by contracting a tendon, which is helpful for hunting, climbing, and self-defence.
The front paws have an extra claw, known as a dewclaw, which is located inside the front paws and occasionally on the back paws. Dewclaws are shorter than the other claws and are useful for cats to hold onto their prey. Cats' claws are different from human nails, which lie flat on top of the tips of our fingers and toes. Cats' claws come out of the front of their toes and act as tools for catching and holding prey, tearing meat from bones, self-defence, and climbing.
Cats' claws grow continuously throughout their lives, and they can wear them down by walking or biting them. As cats age, their claws may not wear down as quickly, and they may need to be trimmed more frequently, sometimes as often as every two weeks. Overall, the structure of cats' paws, with their pads, toes, claws, and dewclaws, helps them be adept and agile hunters and climbers, adding to their unique appeal.
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They have five claws on their front paws and four on their back paws
Domestic cats typically have five claws on their front paws and four on their back paws, making a total of 18 claws. These claws are retractable and are used for climbing, hunting, and self-defence. When cats are at rest, their claws are sheathed within their paws.
The front paws have an extra claw, known as a dewclaw, which is located inside the paw and is sometimes found on the back paws, too. Dewclaws are shorter than the other claws and are used by cats to hold onto their prey.
Cats' claws are different from human nails. Our nails lie flat on top of our fingers and toes, whereas cats' claws come out of the front of their toes. This is because cats' claws are tools used to catch and hold prey, tear meat from bones, defend themselves, and climb.
Cats' claws need to be regularly trimmed, typically every two to six weeks. This is because, unlike human nails, cats' claws are sharp and curved, which can aid in hunting and climbing but can also get stuck in items like carpet loops, causing injury.
Trimming cats' claws can be challenging, as they may not tolerate it well. It is important to make the experience pleasant by using treats, toys, and soft voices. It is also crucial to be familiar with the anatomy of a cat's paw to ensure the process is safe and painless.
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Cats' claws are retractable
The retraction and extension of a cat's claws are similar to the way a person points their toes and flexes their ankles. When a cat wants to extend its claws, it contracts a tendon, and the claws move out and down. To retract its claws, the cat relaxes this tendon, and the claws move up and off the ground.
Cats' retractable claws are an important part of their anatomy, allowing them to be adept hunters and climbers. This ability also adds to their unique appeal as pets.
It is important to note that cats' claws should not be confused with their nails. The nails are made of a protein called keratin and grow directly out of the phalanges muscle. The claws, on the other hand, are sharp and curved extensions at the end of each toe, which the cat can extend or retract as needed.
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Cats' claws need to be trimmed every two to six weeks
Domestic cats typically have 18 claws—five on each front paw and four on each hind paw. However, some cats have extra toes and claws due to a genetic condition called polydactyly. In rare cases, cats may have fewer toes due to syndactyly, a condition where toes are fused together.
Cats' claws grow continuously, just like human nails, and need to be trimmed regularly. While cats can wear down their claws through walking and biting, indoor cats, in particular, will need their claws trimmed every two to six weeks. As cats get older, their claws may not wear down as quickly, and they may need to be trimmed as often as every two weeks. Overgrown nails can cause discomfort and pain for your cat, leading to issues such as ingrown nails and infections.
Trimming your cat's claws can be a daunting task, as many cats are not tolerant of the process. Here are some tips to make the experience more pleasant:
- Get your cat familiar with having its paws touched: Gently massage your cat's paw between your fingers for 2-3 seconds. If your cat pulls away, follow its paw, gently touching its pads and in between its toes. After a few rounds, gently press their pads to extend their claws, then release immediately and offer a treat.
- Get your cat used to the sound of the clippers: A few days before trimming, let your cat become familiar with the sound of the clippers by using them to cut a piece of dry spaghetti during your daily paw-rubbing session.
- Choose the right equipment: There are several types of claw clippers available, including scissor-style, plier-style, and guillotine-style clippers. Electric nail grinders are also an option but may scare your cat due to the loud noise they produce.
- Know your cat's nails: Familiarize yourself with the anatomy of your cat's paw to ensure the trimming process is safe and painless. Cat claws have a pink or red section at the base called the "quick," which contains blood vessels and nerves. Cutting into this area can cause pain and bleeding, so be sure to avoid it.
- Make it a positive experience: Use treats, petting, soft voices, and anything else your cat finds comforting to make the nail-trimming experience more pleasant. If your cat starts to get upset, stop the process and try again later when your cat has had time to relax.
- Don't rush: While it's important to be efficient, as most cats will not tolerate a lengthy nail trim, take the time to familiarize yourself with the process and your cat's anatomy. Respect the anatomy of your cat's paw and don't rush the trimming.
By following these tips and trimming your cat's claws every two to six weeks, you can help keep your cat's claws healthy and avoid potential issues caused by overgrown nails.
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Polydactyl cats have extra toes and claws
Domestic cats typically have 18 toes, with five toes on each front paw and four toes on each hind paw. However, polydactyl cats, which are cats with a congenital physical anomaly called polydactyly, have more than the usual number of toes. This condition is caused by a genetic mutation and is quite common, especially along the East Coast of North America, specifically in Massachusetts, and in South West England and Wales.
Polydactyl cats can have up to nine digits on their front or hind paws, with an average of two to three additional toes. The extra toes are typically found on the front paws, with the majority of cases exhibiting the preaxial form of polydactyly, where the extra toes are on the inside of the paw and resemble thumbs. This gives them a "mitten" paw appearance and makes them look like they are wearing boxing gloves or mittens.
The extra claws on polydactyl cats' paws can cause potential health issues if not properly cared for. The nails in these extra toes may become embedded in the skin, leading to painful infections. Therefore, regular nail trims and routine check-ups with a veterinarian are essential to prevent and address any issues. It is important to monitor the growth direction of the claws and trim them when necessary.
Polydactyly is typically inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, meaning that if one parent cat is polydactyl, there is a 40% to 50% chance that their kittens will also be polydactyl. American Polydactyl cats are recognised as a specific breed, and the Maine Coon and Pixiebob breeds are also known for their prevalence of polydactyly.
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Frequently asked questions
Domestic cats typically have 18 claws: 5 on each front paw and 4 on each hind paw.
The extra claw on the front paws is known as a dewclaw.
Yes, cats' claws grow continuously throughout their lives, so they need to be worn down by walking, biting or trimming.
For indoor cats, it is recommended that you trim their claws every 2-6 weeks. Older cats' claws may need to be trimmed as often as every 2 weeks.
First, get your cat accustomed to having its paws touched and the sound of the clippers. Then, find a well-lit area and make sure your cat is comfortable. Hold your cat on its back and apply gentle pressure to their paw pads to extend the nails. Avoid cutting the pinkish area within the nail, which contains blood vessels and nerves. Only trim the sharp tips of the claws.