Why are my cat's nails getting thick and tough? How can I trim them?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. A little fraying or ragged edges on cut nails can be normal, but it may also mean that your trimmers are a bit dull. It may be worth investing in new nail trimmers - some of the less expensive ones truly don't seem to cut as well as more expensive nail trimmers. But it shouldn't hurt their nails long term

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Stitch. The nails can become brittle in older cats and come off more easily. This is especially true if he does a lot of scratching or climbing. There are also diseases such as autoimmune disorders and fungal problems that can affect the nail beds. It is best for him to see his veterinarian to determine the cause of his symptoms. I hope this information helps!

Hello. This could be a behavioral issue, or a behavioral issue plus paronychia ( skin infection around the nail/claws ). Even though you do not see anything unusual, a veterinarian can examine the skin, do a skin impression to see if there is a population of bacteria or yeast organisms present around the nail beds. An appropriate treatment can then be started. Often, this could also be an indication, & the only evidence of, an allergy. Allergies can come from the food or the environment & can be challenging to distinguish in cats with mild symptoms. So it is very helpful to get professional help with this. Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This could be due to a hyperkeratosis of the pads. Hyperkeratosis is a thickening of the skin which can occur in cats and dogs when too much keratin, or the fibrous proteins that comprise the outer layer of skin, is produced. This leads to excessive skin, which becomes hard, thickened, dried out, and callous-like. Usually is completely benign and no further action is needed.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I would try keeping the nails very trim by cutting them every two weeks with cat nail clippers. It may be worth visiting a pet groomer or the vet to be shown how short the nails can be cut. If she is still catching her claws on the furniture even with regular trimming, then you may need to consider declawing. However, declawing is a painful procedure with chance of complications, so I would not encourage doing this unless absolutely necessary. I hope this helps! Good luck with Kiki and I hope trimming the nails regularly does the trick!

With these extra nails, it is important to have them trimmed regurally as they won't wear down by walking like the others. If she will not allow you to cut them, or if you don't know how, you can have your veterinarian do it for you, and teach you in the process. Cat nails are very easy once you get the hang of it, depending on your cat's temperament, of course.

It is normal for cats to shed some of their nails as they grow out. This is why it is helpful to have things like a scratching post in your home so she can keep up with her nail health. I would look for signs of limping or excessive licking of the feet, if you see any of these it could indicate that her feet are hurting her and a trip to the vet would be indicated.