Ingrown nails in cats(scientific term: onychocryptosis) occur when a cat's claws grow into the soft tissue surrounding the nail bed.
Due to the curved shape of the cat’s nail, when the claws aren’t properly maintained or trimmed, it curves right into the nail bed & punctures the paw pad.
This is very painful & causes inflammation, bleeding, trauma & even infection.
At the beginning stages, the nail simply pushes against the skin and causes inflammation. If not caught at this stage the nail will eventually break through the skin and begin to grow inside the flesh of the paw. This is obviously quite uncomfortable, but again, pets rarely show their discomfort with this problem. In dogs, nails take longer to grow into the flesh, as their nails are generally blunter than in cats. Dog nails may also curl outwards rather than into the paw pad if allowed to grow too long. (NHV Pet Health)
Causes of Ingrown Nails:
Ingrown nails in cats are commonly caused by overgrown nails.
This means that your cat isn’t wearing down it’s natural nails through sufficient scratching or some cats are just prone to their nails growing fast & thick.
It is essential to provide your cat with scratch posts & scratching poles around the house for them to maintain their nails, while regularly trimming their nails
Unfortunately, this is an awful condition that many community cats suffer from as it is not so easy to just trim their nails as we do with home pets.
When should we trim their nails?
For home cats, you should inculcate a grooming routine to trim their nails every 2-3 weeks, depending on the cat's nail growth & activity level.
I’d say, as soon as you feel their sharp claws on you or hear their nails tapping on the floor as they walk, its time for a trim.
Start them off young & integrate a routine to get them accustomed to this so that it will not be a war every time you need to trim their nails.
Symptoms of Ingrown Nails:
Limping or favoring one paw:
The cat may avoid putting weight on the affected paw due to pain & discomfort.
Swelling and redness:
The area around the ingrown nail can become swollen and may appear red or irritated. Excessive licking or chewing at the paw.
Reluctance or Aggression when Paw is Handled:
The cat may be aggressive, reluctant or whimper when you touch the affected paw or try to examine it.
Infection:
If left untreated, ingrown nails can lead to infections, which may cause pus, a foul odour, or increased pain.
How to treat Ingrown Nails:
If you notice it at the initial stage & can handle your cat well, proceed to clip the nail carefully & clean the site with saline & apply colloidal silver gel to ease the pain & heal. Clean daily for the next few days to check that it is healing well.
Ensure you carefully trim it bit by bit to avoid breaking the embedded nail & hurting the cat by applying too much pressure.
If the paw is already bleeding, swollen or infected, an emergency trip to the vet is required. The cat may require antibiotics or pain relief.
What happens if I leave it alone?
This is a very painful condition for the cat.
If left untreated, ingrown nails can lead to infections, abscesses, or even the development of granulomas (painful, raised masses) around the nail bed.
Long-term neglect of ingrown nails can cause deformities in the affected claws.
Regular nail maintenance is crucial in preventing ingrown nails. Ensure your cat's claws are trimmed appropriately to avoid them becoming too long and ingrown.
Early intervention is crucial to your cat's well-being!
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