Why is my declawed cat scratching? Can claws grow back after declaw?

Hello. It appears that Calvin’s surgery was incomplete. A portion of the nail bed must still remain and nail tissue is growing. You will have to have your veterinarian go back in surgically and remove the nail bed tissue that was left behind. If this is not taken care of, he will continue to grow new toenail tissue and will be at risk for constant infection and discomfort.

Yes you should very carefully cut this nail before it causes skin problems. If you are afraid to do this, take her to your vet to have it cut properly. They may show you how, so you can do it yourself the next time when it is necessary.

This shouldn't be a major concern - many declawed cats live in homes with other cats who have their claws. If there is any fighting, bite wounds are usually a bigger issue that any minor scratches from the claws. And if you keep the claws trimmed, this should minimize the chance of any issues

If the nail was torn, it is a good idea to try and trim it back if there are loose edges above the quick to prevent further snagging. If it was completely pulled out, it can grow back, however it is best to monitor for signs of infection as nailbeds can easily become infected. This can include pain, swelling of the paw, limping, chewing/licking at the paw, oozing of debris and discoloration. If you see any signs of pain or infection it is best to bring her to the vet ASAP for treatment.

It is still quite early to see a 100% bounce back to full use of the declawed paws. Sometimes it may take several weeks to see a full recovery. I would ensure that you have plenty of pain medications and if not, contact your veterinarian so that more can be prescribed. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Sorry to hear about Blackey. If it is just the nail that was torn, then they will grow back just fine overtime. If the actual dewclaw itself was torn, then they will not regrow. I would strongly recommend having the area looked at to see if they were ripped cleanly or if there is any bone currently exposed beyond the bed of the nail. If there is any active bleeding, a pressure bandage will likely be needed or in some cases sutures. Antibiotics, pain medications, and anti inflammatory medication will also likely be helpful in the treatment and recovery of your kitty. Hope this helps.

The pictures came out blurry so I am not able to see the surgical sites very well. If the toe pads look more red than the big/main pad, if there is any discharge, or if Simba seems more painful than expected, then it is possible there could be an infection. Since this was a recent surgery, I would call the vet to see if you can pop in for a quick look.