What is this black gunk around my cat's nails that always returns?

I would be concerned that this could be something other than feces. Sometimes infections of the nail bed with bacteria or yeast can make the nail bed look dark red or brown in color. I would also be concerned if it is indeed feces that the presence at the nail bed where it pulls under the skin when the nails retract could cause an infection. I would recommend a visit to your vet if you are unable to clean this area to be sure it isn't actually an infection and to clean the nails if needed.

This can be a sign of a fungal infection of the nail base. If the nails do not appear normal it could also be a sign of certain autoimmune nail diseases. I would recommend seeing a veterinarian - ringworm is one type of fungus that could cause an infection and the treatment is very different from a yeast fungal infection so your veterinarian may want to run some tests. If there are changes to the nail or paw pads your veterinarian may want to take a sample for biopsy to rule out immune diseases like pemphigus.

Thank you for including pictures of Tommy's feet! The nail bed could just be dirty causing the brown color. My own cat gets this build up on his nail beds as well, and I used a soft cloth and some warm water to clean it off. You can try that to see if the helps. As for the thing sticking out of his pad, it could be a nail that has broken off in it or it could be a benign growth. I would have him checked out by a vet for this, but I wouldn't considered it an emergency because his pad doesn't look swollen or painful.

Some cats will get this around their nail bed. It's a buildup of skin cells, dust and dirt. If he will let you, you can clean the nail by soaking his foot in warm water and using a soft brush to remove the gunk. If the nail bed is reddened and inflamed, it's a good idea to get him seen by your vet as he may need antibiotics to help him clear it up.

It could be a bacterial or fungal infection around the nail, nail bed or paw pad. A close physical exam would be needed for a definitive diagnosis. See your veterinarian in the morning. If Cosmo is licking or chewing, place an e-collar (cone) on him until he sees the doctor.

Try to wash off the area and see if it’s something like cat litter glued around the base of the nail. Moist cat litter can get gummy. If it doesn’t wash off, it’s possible there’s a bacterial infection or ringworm (which humans can get) around the nail bed and I recommend to have Stewie examined by his veterinarian. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to an infection of the nail beds. However, this can be seen with a number of conditions even cancer being one of the possibilities. I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check more specifically what may be wrong so that therapy can be recommended accordingly. Best of luck!