Understanding Cat and Dog Claw Anatomy and Their Essential Uses
Claws play a crucial role in both the evolution and daily lives of our pets. These specialized structures have adapted over time to support cats and dogs in a wide range of activities that are essential for their survival, mobility, and protection. For dogs, claws provide grip and traction while walking or running, helping them maintain stability on various surfaces. In cats, retractable claws allow for precision when climbing, ensuring they can scale trees or escape danger with ease.
Additionally, claws serve as powerful tools for self-defense, enabling both cats and dogs to protect themselves from threats or predators. Beyond their practical functions, claws are also vital for communication and territorial marking, as both species use them to leave visual and scent markers in their environment.
Understanding the anatomy of claws and their role in everyday tasks and natural instincts allows us to better appreciate their importance in our pets' overall well-being. Recognizing how claws influence behavior highlights their significance in daily activities like walking, climbing, and self-defense. Regular care and maintenance are essential to keep claws healthy and functional, ensuring our pets remain comfortable and capable of performing these vital tasks.
Basic Anatomy of Cat and Dog Claws
Cat Claws:
When cats walk, they are essential walking on the tips and balls of their toes in comparison to humans who traditionally walk from their ball to heels. This is referred to as digitigrade walking that is intended to help the cat walk and move more silently.
There are typically 18 toes for a cat, with four toes and one dewclaw on each front paw and four toes on each back paw. The dewclaws are non weight bearing as they are located a little higher on the paw than the other four toes. Think of the dewclaw as a thumb of sorts. In the event a cat has more than 18 toes they are considered polydactyl, which is a common gene mutation that occurs before the cat is born.
The skin pads of a cats paw can detect hot and cold sensations but are also tough enough to protect their feet when walking on rough surfaces. The claws are made out of the same protein as human nails called keratin. The area beneath the keratin is designated as the quick (pink in color) that contains blood vessels, nerves and germinal cells.
Cats mark their territory through their paws. Their paws have scent glands that secrete their unique scent as they walk, scratch and knead into things within the environment. Additionally their scent glands also help them regulate their body temperatures and will secrete the sweat through their paws. If you have ever seen little paw prints on the cement on a warm day, it is the sweat secreting out to keep them cool. If a cat is ever overheated ,taking a damp cool towel and blotting their paws will be the best method to help lower their body temperature gradually.
A key feature of a cat's claw is its retractability. This allows the claws to remain elevated off the ground and nestled within the fur around their paws when not in use. However, the claws don’t fully retract into the sheath, but remain partially exposed, ready for action when needed.
Dog Claws:
Dog claws differentiate from cat claws in several ways but are still needed for protection, stability and digging large holes in your backyard. The number of claws vary based on the type of breed but generally have between 18-20 toes with some dogs having a fifth dewclaw.
The nails are thicker and stronger for sustained activities of running and digging. Created with keratin just the same as humans and cats but unlike humans, dog nails connect directly with their skeletal systems (cats too!) and attach themselves to the tip of the last phalanx bone. Any possible trauma or infection can drastically impact other bones nearby.
The dewclaw can be found on the back of the dogs front legs that is connected by ligament and bone. You may also find certain breeds with back dewclaws as well such as Icelandic sheepdogs. Like the cats dewclaw, they can be thought of as the dogs thumb as they help stabilize the wrist joint while running and help with agility. Although dewclaws can be removed at an early age, they are not recommended to be removed unless they are injured or diseased as they do have a purpose.
Dog claws are made up of two distinct parts, the nail and the quick. Like cats, the quick is full of nerves and blood vessels making it highly sensitive and should be avoided when trimming their nails to avoid any pain.
Can you correctly identify the parts of a cats claw?
1- Quick 2-Nail 3- Third Phalanx 4-Elasticity Ligament 5-Paw PadWe briefly touched on the various functions of claws, but let’s dive into this fascinating topic a bit more in-depth. The five primary functions that our friends use their claws for, which we will discuss in detail, include hunting, defense, climbing, grooming, and, of course, scratching. Each of these purposes plays a vital role in their daily life and overall well-being.
Functions of Cat Claws
Hunting and Defense:
Having claws significantly enhances the odds of successfully perfecting the catch of their prey, which ultimately leads to a delicious and rewarding meal. These sharp tools give cats the upper hand in the wild, ensuring they can snag food efficiently.
As cats occupy a unique position in their ecosystems as both predators and prey, the use of their sharp claws serves a vital purpose. These retractable weapons not only help them defend themselves against potential threats but also facilitate their escape from any lurking dangers in their surroundings.
Climbing:
The remarkable feature of having retractable claws greatly assists cats in gracefully scaling trees, fences, and various other surfaces they encounter during their adventures. These special claws allow our feline friends to navigate their surroundings with agility and finesse, making them the expert climbers we all know and love.
Grooming and Scratching:
As climbing and catching prey can result in bending stresses or cracks on the claws, the curvature shape allows for shedding of the excess sheath of the nail as it gets worn through the act of scratching. This shedding allows for new growth of the nails to maintain their good function and sharpness.
Scratching is instinctual, feels good to the cat and acts as another functional form of visual and olfactory communication with other animals. As the cat scratches their scent glands will leave behind their scent allowing other animals, maybe even your other pet cat know that the object they touched belongs to them. In multi cat households having multiple cat scratchers, beds, food bowls and litter boxes are a necessity to avoid territory disputes and keep the peace.
Functions of Dog Claws
Traction and Movement:
Claws play a crucial role in providing grip on various surfaces for dogs, allowing them to maintain stability and traction as they run and navigate different terrains. These sturdy little tools dig into the ground, preventing slips and enabling swift direction changes. This natural feature not only enhances their speed but also improves their agility, making them the outstanding runners that they are. So, the next time you see a dog sprinting with effortless grace, remember that those claws are hard at work, helping them perform their canine athletic feats.
Digging:
Dogs have a significant role in digging, whether it's for finding food, creating a cozy shelter, or simply indulging in an instinctual behavior that drives them to explore their environment. This natural inclination can lead them to unearth hidden treasures, surprising us with their playful antics and showcasing their innate curiosity about the world around them. Commons reasons dogs may dig can be due to the fact that it is a source of joy for them, reduce anxiety, hunting underground dens, or creating a shallow bed.
Defense:
In the act of defense, dogs can skillfully use their sharp claws to create deep cuts and painful wounds in their opponents, alongside their powerful teeth, ensuring they are equipped to protect themselves and their territory effectively.
Communication and Marking:
Like our adorable feline friends, dogs also have unique paw pads that play a fascinating role in their scent-marking behavior. These paw pads excrete sweat through their specialized sweat glands, enabling a transfer of scent to various items they come in contact with. This clever biological mechanism provides other curious animals with essential information, signaling that those items have been claimed, thus helping to communicate their presence and territory in the ever-busy world around them.
Claw Care for Cats and Dogs
Nail Trimming:
Dog Nail Trimming Guide
Learn how to trim your dogs nails with the American Kennel Club introductory training (Click image)
Keeping your pet's nails trimmed is crucial for maintaining their agility, reducing the risk of them getting stuck on objects, and preventing potential infections and ingrowths. Regular nail trims help ensure your furry friends can move around comfortably and avoid any unwanted mishaps.
Cat Nail Trimming Guide
Learn how to trim your cats nails with this detailed guide from Chewy! (Click image)
Claw Health:
You can help your beloved dog or cat maintain healthy, strong nails by providing an adequate amount of scratching posts for them to enjoy, regularly trimming their nails with high-quality, pet-approved nail trimmers or a grinder, and ensuring you take them on regular, invigorating dog walks. When strolling with your furry friend, the cement acts as a natural nail filer, effectively helping to keep their nails at a decent and manageable length while also giving them a chance to explore the world around them!
Additional steps you can take to help maintain your furry friend's claw health include providing them with a healthy, well-balanced diet that is rich in essential nutrients. It’s important to avoid those cheap, large boxes of commercial pet food that often lack quality ingredients. Instead, consider adding in essential fish oil and fatty acids as a supplement, which can greatly contribute to making their nails nice and strong. This proactive approach can ensure that your pets not only have healthy claws but also enjoy overall better health and vitality.
Retractable Claws
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Scent Marking
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Energy Boosters
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Pain Relief
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Instinctual
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Retractable Claws ~ Scent Marking ~ Energy Boosters ~ Pain Relief ~ Instinctual ~
Common Issues with Cat and Dog Claws
Injury and Infection:
How claws can become injured or infected is a concern that every pet owner should take seriously. Whether it's from rough play with other furry friends, a misstep while running, or an encounter with sharp objects, our pets' claws are at risk of injury. Infections can also develop if a claw is broken or improperly trimmed, leading to unnecessary discomfort for your beloved pet. Therefore, it's essential to keep a close eye on those adorable paws to ensure they're happy and healthy!
Overgrowth:
Problems caused by overgrown claws can lead to a variety of issues, such as significant discomfort or even pain while walking. This can make even simple movements challenging for our furry friends, impacting their overall happiness and quality of life. It’s vital to keep those claws in check to ensure they can trot around with ease and comfort!
Declawing (For Cats):
Declawing is an outdated practice that has been banned in several countries and US states. The process of declawing includes the amputation of part of the third phalanx bone in order to prevent the nails from regrowing. Often, the cats nails may still grow back causing extreme pain and discomfort.
Declawing can lead to a variety of physical and behavioral issues, physical impacts that regularly occur for declawed cats include arthritis of the paws, regrowth of the nails and your cat having to re-learn how to walk to the equivalent of walking on your elbows.
Behavioral issues caused by physical pain can lead to a cat avoiding the litter box entirely. Cats may begin to associate the discomfort with the litter box or litter itself and, as a result, avoid using it. Additionally, since they can no longer use their claws for protection or scent marking, they may become more prone to biting and agitation. Unfortunately, these behavioral changes often lead frustrated owners to surrender their cat to shelters, where the stress of physical and emotional pain worsens. Sadly, many of these cats struggle to find new homes and may ultimately be euthanized if not adopted.
Recap: Dog and Cat Claw Anatomy and Their Uses
Both dog and cat claws are essential tools that play a vital role in their daily activities and overall well-being. In cats, claws are retractable, allowing them to stay sharp and ready for climbing, hunting, grooming, and self-defense. Their ability to retract keeps the claws protected when not in use, preventing unnecessary wear. Dogs, on the other hand, have non-retractable claws that provide grip and traction for walking, running, and digging. These claws also serve as a form of protection and a means to mark their territory.
General Reminder
Claws are more than just a feature of our pets’ anatomy; they are integral to their movement, survival instincts, and behavior. Regular maintenance, such as trimming and monitoring for health issues, is essential to avoid discomfort, injury, and potential behavioral problems. As responsible pet owners, taking care of your dog’s and cat’s claws will not only keep them healthy but will also help them lead more comfortable and fulfilling lives.
Sources
Homberger, D. G., Ham, K., Ogunbakin, T., Bonin, J. A., Hopkins, B. A., Osborn, M. L., Hossain, I., Barnett, H. A., Matthews, K. L., 2nd, Butler, L. G., & Bragulla, H. H. (2009). The structure of the cornified claw sheath in the domesticated cat (Felis catus): implications for the claw-shedding mechanism and the evolution of cornified digital end organs. Journal of anatomy, 214(4), 620–643. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2009.01068.x
Gibeault. S. (2024). Why dogs dig. American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-is-my-dog-digging/
(2023). Dog toenail anatomy: Understanding the basics. LuckyTail. https://luckytail.com/blogs/pet/dog-toenail-anatomy?srsltid=AfmBOooNABr1VsR6y9RLIK8Aaf7vvTvTkP33AoNpbqfjGcgS0JIozPIG
Rogers, C. D. (2024, September 25). Cat paw pads: Vet-verified anatomy & functions explained (with diagram). Catster. https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-paw-pads-anatomy/
Why declawing is bad for your cat. The Humane Society of the United States. (n.d.). https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/why-declawing-bad-your-cat
