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My cat has a weird growth under her paw. Is it an extra nail?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 5 years and 10 months old

I think my cat is growing another toenail? It’s right under her thumb nail. What should I do in this situation? Do I just leave it?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Paula Simons

Veterinarian

Published on May 11th, 2020

This looks like a cutaneous horn which is a keratin growth from the paw pad. I would consider having this removed and having the growth sent for histopathology as it could be benign or caused by cancerous process.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 5th, 2017
It is possible your cat has what is called a "cutaneous horn" on her foot, which is an overgrowth of keratin and can look like a claw. If the area isn't bothering a cat we often leave it alone, but if it does cause discomfort then removal is recommended. A vet exam is also recommended to be sure there isn't any other pathology going on in this area, as these can also be seen in cats with feline leukemia or a cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, and we want to be sure there isn't something more concerning going on here.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on June 20th, 2020
It's hard to tell from the picture, but you could be seeing an ingrown nail, extra nails that didn't grow right from birth, cutaneous horn, or something else. I would have Pixie examined by a vet to be certain of what is going on.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

My cat has a paw growth. Could it be a corn? Does she need a vet?

Yes, I recommend you take him to a vet. There is something that cats on their feet called hyperkeratinization (keratin/cutaneous horns) but this does not look exactly like that; the lesions are usually thin and look like horns. So that fact that the left one is so flat and round is a bit concerning.

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My cat has a hard, extra claw-like growth on his paw. Is it serious?

It's not related to the conjunctivitis, but cats can grown corns on the bottom of their feet. They can be removed if they grow large enough to cause discomfort, which this one might be. If it is removed, I recommend having it submitted for biopsy to make sure it's something benign and not a rare cancerous growth.

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My cat has a strange, soft, claw-like growth on its paw. What is it?

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I have seen some cats develop long horny type growths on their paw pads. Possible causes are: papilloma or squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease), both caused by papillomavirus. Excision or treatment with imiquimod, retioid cream, or salicylic acid should be effective. If it doesn't bother Spooky, it most likely won't hurt to leave it alone (unless it becomes more malignant in behavior). It could also be benign hyperkertinized growths. They may need to be managed with sanding dows and or clipping regularly. You can also try Kerasol which is OTC or Snout Soother by American Dog co to help keep them soft. You can apply this 1-2 times daily. It may be best to have your Vet see the area first! Good luck

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My indoor cat has strange growths on his front paws. What are they?

These are skin hyperkeratosis (thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis/most superficial skin layer). A check up and possibly a sample of it can be taken to confirm diagnosis. They can be mildly painful and possibly grow even more than now. Surgical excision is usually resolutive but not strictly necessary. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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My dog has a growth on his paw. Should I be worried about it?

This looks like a cutaneous horn. This would be overshooting growth of keratocytes (a type of skin cell). This is a benign growth and unless it is causing your dog to get hung up on it and then starts to bleed, you can just ignore it. Should it get very big, your vet can easily remove it. The next time you take your dog to the vet have him examine it. Sometimes these are caused by a virus.

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My cat has a rough growth on her paw nail, but moves fine. What to do?

It’s difficult to see exactly what that is in the photo. I would try to pull it out if it’s moveable. You can also soak the paw in warm water with epsoms salt or an antibacterial solution. As long as she’s not lame I’m not overly concerned about it. Some cats get a callus on their pads, and some have an extra underdeveloped toenail, either of which could be her issue. If she becomes lame or this is painful then please take her in for an exam. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lucy.

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My cat has a growth on his paw. What could it be and is it serious?

It appears like a wart, so I would not be too worried unless it's causing problems. The only way to know for sure is to take it off and send it to the lab for identification; but this likely not worth it. There are other methods for removing these if needed. Otherwise it's fine to leave it and watch for any issues. These can also go away on their own sometimes. I hope that helps and all goes well with Tuxedo.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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