The biting and/or chewing of cat claws is, for the most part a normal behavior. If you see your cat doing it, then there’s usually no reason to worry. Cats are very meticulous groomers. This means that they constantly lick themselves and clean their claws. One of the ways in which cats self-groom is by chewing on their nails. The cats may chew on the nails to shorten and then lick or chew around them to remove any dirt.

While most cats chew their claws occasionally, excessive chewing can be a sign of a more serious condition. In this article we will examine the common causes of your cat pulling and chewing their claws. We’ll also discuss what to do. Let’s get started!

Normal grooming

Normal self-grooming for cats includes chewing, lickingand pulling around the claws. Since their paws touch the floor constantly, dirt, hair,dust and other debris can get stuck. Occasionally, licking alone may not be sufficient to get rid of the dirt and debris. Your cat may pull or tug at its claws.

Also, cat’s nail are described as being onion-like with multiple distinct layers. Your cat will often pull off the outer layer if it becomes damaged or frayed. This allows the more sharper and cleaner layer to be exposed. It may be alarming to first notice this behavior, especially if you are not used to it. Cats tend to be private creatures and will usually groom themselves in a private, quiet place.

If you want to ensure that your cat’s nails stay sharp and clean, make sure they have a Scratching Post. It may be because they don’t have a good scratching surface.

To keep your cat interested, we recommend that you provide at least two different types of scratching posts.

Behavior issues

Sometimes normal grooming becomes an obsessive behaviour, manifesting as excessive licking or scratching. This behavior is typically a sign of stress, boredom or loneliness. Your cat might be chewing its paws in order to soothe itself. As humans bite their nails to relieve stress or anxiety, so can cats. This stress can be caused for a variety of reasons. It could be as simple as wanting a walk outside, or it could be more obvious such as a move to a different house or a new pet.

In order to stop your cat’s behavior, you will need to determine the cause of the stress or anxiety. You’ll know the obvious reason if you moved to a different house or bought a new cat. Then you can treat it accordingly. You may need to do some detective work if you’re looking for more subtle reasons. If your cat is excessively chewing its claws, it could be due to loneliness or boredom. To prevent this from happening, you should spend more time with them and consider buying stimulating cats toys.

Medical issues

They may have cut themselves on their paw pad, injured a toe, or broken a claw. Your cat may be in pain because they cut themselves, hurt a toe or broke a claw. The injury may have actually been caused by excessive pulling or chewing! It’s important to check each cat’s foot for any injuries. Your vet may also need to perform a physical examination.

Your cat could be infected by a bacterial or yeast infection, or a previous injury. Only your vet can tell you. If your cat is not showing any behavioral changes or has no injuries, the infection may be a bacterial one.

Final Thoughts

Claw biting in a healthy, normal cat isn’t usually cause for concern. It is just a normal self-grooming behavior. If the behavior becomes unusually common and is accompanied by signs of pain or discomfort such as limping, you should consult a veterinarian.

The best way to detect abnormal behavior is by observing your cat.