Unlike dogs and humans, cat nails grow in sheaths.

Everyone knows that cats can retract their claws. You might have noticed that even after you've clipped them, even though they're shorter--they're still super sharp.

Well, that's because cat nails are biologically designed to stay sharp at all times. The body's way of holstering those murder mittens when they're not needed, is by hiding them inside. Think X'Men's Wolverine.

It only becomes an issue when that's nails have not been shortened, causing potential injuries to humans as well as some pretty serious and devastating injuries for them.

So when a cat is scratching at a scratching post; the carpet, a cardboard box, or your favorite office chair--what they're really doing is tearing away at the dead layer of keratin (nail) and working to expose a brand new and sharper nail.

Cat Nails Require Human Intervention to Cut and Keep Short

Because cat nails are biologically designed to stay sharp and are curved, they will keep growing unless they are cut or chewed off. If left unchecked, that means the nail will grow directly into the pad and pierce through it. Some cats can successfully chew their nails, but it's fairly rare and those that do have a tendency to only chew their back ones.

Chances are you've had an ingrown nail before or at least are familiar with what it is. It's an incredibly uncomfortable experience, where the nail presses into the skin next to the finger/toes causing some redness and swelling. The pain for the most part is manageable and once you start noticing it happening you're able to take care of it right away.

It's much more frequent for them to chew their back legs than their front. Not really helpful when the front claws are the ones at higher risk of becoming ingrown. But just like all aspects of animal stewardship, it is our due diligence to follow up and make sure these tasks are successfully being accomplished.

All Cats Can Get Ingrown Nails

It's true that older cats are at higher risk of ingrown nails, but any cat of any age, breed, or coat type can get them.

Some cats can successfully chew their nails and front paws are at higher risk, but that doesn't mean it can't happen to the back feet as well.

Even if the claw somehow grows to the side and narrowly escapes the pad, the claw will continue to circle and grow, just like this "rams horn" here. shown.

Preventative Care Is Humane Care

Your cat's nails should be cut every 4-6 weeks. Cutting the nail shorter is not going to affect the sharpness and they will still be able to successfully climb as well as defend themselves. Cutting the nail back so it can comfortably hide while retracted will help keep the both of you safe.

Cats hide their pain.

As a feline exclusive groomer, the majority of my clients who have cats with ingrown nails are completely unaware. That is why even looking at their claws is so beneficial. They're not going to tell you that they're in pain and unless you're checking regularly by the time they're no longer able to hide it, it can have gone way too far. 

Cat scratches are no joke. Their paws are absolutely filthy with urine and fecal remnants from scratching in their litter box. They lick their paws thereby spreading bacteria and saliva all over them as well.

Any type of puncture wound opens itself up for infection and can be extremely excruciating if not lethal to your pet.

All four nails are ingrown on this paw and the entire foot is extremely infected.

If you're not comfortable with cutting your cat's nails. most vet techs and grooming salons are able to do it for around $25. There are even mobile groomers that can come to your house to cut them, if you're willing to pay. Most mobile rates vary from $60 to $80. A small price to pay for a potential $325 surgery per nail, should the ingrown nail grow too deep.