It wasn’t actually about your cat biting your nails when we talked about cat nail biting! However, it’s quite cute!
It’s when you hear your cat chewing on its toenails, and you hear chomping and crunching noise.
Humans do not find nail biting appealing, and animals do not find it healthy either. It’s not a typical activity for cats however it can often suggest a variety of concerns, whether she is an occasional chewer or a chronic nail biter.
Medical issues can be one of the leading, or it could also be because of a stressful environment. Use Feliway or groom her nails regularly to avoid such problems.
Why Is Your Cat Chewing Nails?
Abnormal nail chewing in cats could be because of physical nail injuries or underlying medical problems. However, sometimes it can also be because of stress, tension, anxiety, or behavioral problems.
Normal cat chewing nail behavior can be because she is trying to remove debris so that her nails are maintained sharp and clean.
1. Behavioral Issues Can Manifest Chewing Habits
Let’s cut the chase and know the exact behavioral reason for why the cat bites her nails now.
Stress and Boredom
Stress, Anxiety, boredom, or loneliness are all the major reasons for nail biting in cats This is their behavioral problem.
Just like us humans cats also chew their nails. It is an indication that they are stressed. For instance, if your feline is alone in the house she will simply get bored and to stimulate her mind she will lick herself, will groom, and bite her nails.
If such a situation occurs take her outside for a walk, play with her, offer her mind games. And, never let her leave alone at home.
Cleaning Themselves
If it is not because of stress then another reason for nail chewing can be due to hygiene. And, if she is chewing because of cleanliness then you don’t have to be worried about it. It is normal cat behavior. Or should I say the cat is just being cat hahaha!
If she goes out to play it is obvious that her nails will get filthy with sand, litter and debris. So, to get rid of dirt she will chew her nail and paw pads.
In general, a cat can also chew their claws to remove the outer layer of its nails. Basically, the structure of the cat’s nails is like onion peels they chew the outer layer to make it strong and sharp so that they can use this as self-defense.
2. Medical Conditions
Coming up next cat’s nail biting can be either due to health issues like
Infection in Nails
Generally, if your cat is chewing her nail it can be because of bacterial or yeast infections. In the majority of cases, it can occur due to chemicals and bleach. However, some cat breeds have hereditary predisposition diseases. Therefore, proper medication is a must.
Pemphigus Foliaceus
Also known as PF which means leaf-like pemphigus. It is a disorder that mistakenly attacks cats’ bodies.
Crusts (scabs) and ulcers appear around the eyes, ears, footpads, groyne, and nasal bridge of the cat.
Due to PF lesions also occur at the toenail beds. It becomes sore and crusty and to soothe pain and discomfort cat chew her nail. Always seek veterinary help for this problem.
Parasites, Fleas, Ring worms
These all can be also another reason why feline biting her nails.
When a cat’s body has been attacked by a parasite she will compulsively lick her skin, nibbling and pulling her fur, chewing nails, hair loss, bleeding, and redness are common signs.
What to Do if Your Cat Chew on Their Claws?
So far you are very well-informed about cat nail biting but know you can know to prevent it.
1. Keep a Fixed Routine
To avoid cat nail biting make sure you fix her routine. Cats are habitual animals means they like to do things in routine. They follow their habit so when you feed her food on time, take her for play sessions she won’t get the time and will always be busy.
2. Simply Groom Their Nails
Indoor cats are always in touch with the floor which makes their nail dirty and to keep their nails clean she will self groom herself.
Give your cat a grooming session. Become a responsible pet owner and regularly groom her nails and hair to avoid chewing habits. Make sure not to cut their nails too short otherwise it will cause pain in their blood vessels.
Therefore, simply if you regularly groom her nails she won’t have to chew nails.
3. Get Horizontal and Vertical Scratch Post
To kill the urge of scratching her nails or to make her nails sharper cat will chew bite nails. What about giving your cat a scathing post?
Well, if you get that they can keep their nails sharp, and thus won’t bite their nails. Isn’t it a great alternative to a cat biting nails?
4. Get Vinyl Nails
To prevent nail chewing in cats you can get nail caps. Kitty Caps Nail Caps for Cats these nails are safe for both cats and kittens. It comes with non-toxic glue it can last up to 6 weeks.
5. Train Her Appropriately
If you notice your cat is biting her nails without any reason it is important that you teach her this as bad behavior. And, she must not do it.
Simply use positive reinforcement tricks to stop cat nail biting. Also, remember not to scold her because then the situation can go worse.
6. Reduce Her Stress
Always keep your kitty happy and take care of her. If she is under emotional or environmental stress she will simply behave differently and can bite her nails too.
Therefore, try to reduce stress. You can buy her toys, spend interactive time, make her do plenty of exercises, and don’t let her leave alone for a long time.
You can also use Feliway Classic Cat Calming Diffuser it is recommended to kill the stress and control claw chewing in cats.
Well, That’s a Wrap!
Cat nail biting is usually normal but if she is chewing aggressively without any reason it becomes a matter of concern because it can be due to a medical problem. Older cats chew their nail because of abnormal growth of nails.
But, in case she is biting due to a medical problem make sure to schedule a meeting with the veterinarian. To prevent such behavior you can do normal grooming, get multiple types of scratching posts or get cat trees.
Want to know more about why cats chew nails? Then check this blog now!
References
- Why do cats pull at their claws? – CPC
- Welfare of cats: normal behaviour patterns – nidirect
- 8 Common Cat Problems and How to Solve Them – WebMD