Help, what do I do? I just noticed something super weird with my cat, Bella. She’s a rescue I adopted about two months ago, and tonight while she was dozing on the couch, I saw that one of her claws has curled around into a complete circle, almost like it's growing into her paw pad. It didn’t seem to bother her when I touched it (which is strange because she usually makes a fuss), but I’m really worried it might hurt her or get infected if it stays like this. Has anyone else experienced something like this? It's only this one nail. I don’t know if this is some strange leftover from before I got her or what. Should I try and trim it myself, or is it best to get her to the vet as soon as possible? Any advice would be really helpful!
Appreciate the question — let's unpack this. The situation you're describing with your rescued cat's claw growing into a full circle can definitely be concerning, but I'm here to help. This kind of overgrown claw can happen if a cat hasn't been able to wear down their claws naturally or has been unable to groom them properly. It can occur more commonly in older cats or those with health issues that interfere with their grooming habits.
Since the claw has grown into a full circle, it's likely causing discomfort or even pain. Carefully trimming the claw to relieve pressure is an essential first step. If you're comfortable doing so, try to use a pair of pet nail clippers and cut the excess and looped section of the claw. Be cautious to avoid the 'quick,' the sensitive part that contains nerves and blood vessels.
Watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or any discharge. These would indicate a need for more immediate veterinary care. Additionally, if you notice your cat limping, avoiding use of the paw, or showing signs of pain like excessive licking or vocalizing, these are also important flags.
For a more thorough evaluation and guidance on how to manage this situation moving forward, I recommend booking a video consult with one of our veterinarians at Dial A Vet. They'll be able to see the issue and offer more tailored advice.
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