What is Torn Toenail?
Tearing a toenail is extremely painful for a cat. Your cat may cry after suffering from this injury. There is a high supply of blood to the base of the nail, so often the affected toenail will bleed for some time. The bleeding may stop for a period of time and then start again. If left as an open wound, the tear can lead to infection, which can develop into more serious health issues. Kittens are prone to tearing their toenails, as they have very high energy and extremely delicate claws. A similar response may happen if a cat's claws are trimmed too short during grooming. Veterinary attention is needed to ensure the wound heals correctly.
Without regular grooming, a cat's claws will grow long and sharp. Once a toenail is overgrown, it can easily get caught or snagged on carpet, furniture, or even tree bark. Generally, when this happens the cat will panic and jerk its paw towards its body. This reaction can cause the nail to tear, either remaining partially connected to the paw or being torn completely off. This is a common occurrence in cats and is generally not life-threatening.
Torn Toenail Average Cost
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Average Cost
$200
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Symptoms of Torn Toenail in Cats
Often, the only way that you will know something is wrong with the cat is by the presence of blood drops around the home. A torn toenail may bleed sporadically for hours. Other signs to watch for include:
- Licking paw excessively
- Crying
- Jagged appearance of claw
- Bloody paw
- Limping
- Pain when affected paw is touched
- Swollen paw
Causes of Torn Toenail in Cats
Generally, this issue exists due to poor grooming of the cat. Toenails that are not regularly trimmed will grow long and catch on various materials. Outdoor cats may be exposed to more potentially injury-causing scenarios. Possible causes are listed below.
- Vigorous play indoors on carpets or furniture
- Tree climbing
- Traumatic injury (such as a car accident)
Diagnosis of Torn Toenail in Cats
Take action to stop the cat from bleeding before you arrive to the veterinary clinic or animal hospital. Direct pressure should be applied to the wound for five minutes straight. Your vet may have additional recommendations to aid in clotting. Bandage the paw and bring the cat to a veterinarian.
Once at the clinic or hospital, the veterinarian will complete a physical examination of your cat. If the cat has sustained serious injuries from extreme trauma, all life-threatening injuries will be identified and treated first. The vet will determine whether the torn toenail is showing any signs of infection or inflammation. Swelling, pus, or seeping blood are all signs that a bacterial infection is present. If this is the case, any exudate will be collected and sent to a lab for bacteria identification.
Treatment of Torn Toenail in Cats
While some veterinarians may advise you to treat and monitor the injury at home, this may not be advisable due to the difficulty of properly removing the affected toenail. A cat experiencing pain will likely bite if it’s injured paw is handled.
Toenail Removal
A proper removal of the affected toenail will significantly lessen the chance of infection. Generally, the toenail only needs to be removed from where the tear occurred. The cat may need mild sedation for the veterinarian to properly perform the procedure. Professional nail trimmers work the best for toenail removal, and the wound must be washed afterwards.
Bandaging
The paw may need to be bandaged until the bleeding stops and the wound starts to heal. The compression can aid the clotting process.
Antibiotics
If a bacterial infection has been identified, or often for the prevention of such an infection, an antibiotic prescription will be given. This prescription may be from one to four weeks in length.
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Recovery of Torn Toenail in Cats
The best way to promote healing is by keeping the wound clean. This may involve changing bandages daily and monitoring the injury for signs of infection, such as swelling or redness. After the bandage is removed, the paw should be regularly washed until healing is complete. Administer all antibiotics as prescribed. Prevent your cat from licking or biting at its paw during this time. An Elizabethan collar may be needed to ensure the cat leaves the wound alone.
The prognosis for recovery is excellent, especially of no infection develops. A new toenail will grow back within several months. It is best to watch the regrowth to verify that the claw is not ingrown or coming in sideways. This can lead to more pain and the development of a bacterial infection. Trim your cat's nails approximately once a month to prevent a torn toenail from happening. Clip only the tips of the nails to prevent hurting the cat. Providing a scratching post to your cat can also greatly help to keep its nails from overgrowing.
Torn Toenail Average Cost
From 249 quotes ranging from $100 - $300
Average Cost
$200
Top
Torn Toenail Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Domestic shorthair
Kosto
11 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tender
Tender Paw
Front Paw Pain
Torn Or Ripped Toenail
I think my cat, Kosto, tore or broke one of his nails. I hadn’t trimmed them in a little while because we were moving across the country. When we finally settled down in our new home, I noticed a few paw prints of blood around the house. When I checked, his paw was bleeding. I haven’t been able to get a good look at it because it’s tender to touch.
Sept. 5, 2018
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mixed
Maria
3 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Meows When Nails Are Examined
Nails Visually Look Chipped
Doesn’T Use Scratch Post As Much
My cat was stuck in a yard with high concrete walls for about 20h, and when I finally got her out her back paw nails were completely destroyed but not bleeding thankfully (probably from trying to get out), she doesn’t have a limp, but they’re shredded to bits.. Front paw nails are not as bad. Just kinda worried and I don’t have money right now to go to a local vet.. Will she be okay?
Aug. 14, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Nails do grow back after trauma, and if she is not bleeding or limping, she will probably grow those nails back normally. Watch her feet closely for signs of infection or pain, and she should be seen if anything changes.
Aug. 14, 2018
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Housecat
Charlie
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping
Hi my cat came in last night he was limping on his right front paw finally got to look at it this morning and it looks like his nail or the bed around his nail is really really dry is there anything I can do about it
Aug. 12, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Charlie may have an injury or infection, and without seeing him, I can't comment on what might be going on with him. If he is limping on it, it probably hurts, and it might be best to have him seen by a veterinarian if it isn't getting better by tomorrow.
Aug. 12, 2018
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Cat
Shade
10 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Our cat smashed his foot between two slats in the fence. His leg isn’t swollen, He wasn’t there long—a neighbor was outside. But he is bleeding from two of his back middle toe nails. He is bearing weight. He’s letting us hold him—although he did bite when we helped him out of the fence—out fear/pain we assume. Currently, we’ve used a warm wet washcloth to see what’s up as he is black and fuzzy. The nails are still there; tips are gone, all the way up to the quick. The question is: Vet or no vet? Is this an emergency? And we put a dollop of neosporin on it, it’s covered and he’s still right now, as we’re waiting for the bleeding to stop. Do we keep it covered? How long? And his out door shenanigans are on hold, correct?
Aug. 4, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
If the nails stop bleeding, you should be fine to monitor those nails for infection and pain. Shade will need to stay inside for a few days while you keep an eye on him, and you should take him to see a veterinarian if he is limmping or the nails seem to be getting infected. It would be best to not wrap the foot, as more damage can happen with a bandage than without.
Aug. 4, 2018
Thanks a bunch!
Aug. 5, 2018
Shade's Owner
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Orange tabby
Simba
4 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bleeding
Raw
I just recently got my kitten, and his dew claw are raw and bleeding. He’s a ball of energy and loves to play. I read this might be because of the carpet. How do I treat it ?
July 22, 2018
0 Recommendations
You should try to limit Simba’s activity and to bathe the injured dew claws as well as preventing him from licking them, you should keep an eye on them but visit your Veterinarian for an examination since this may become a common problem. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 23, 2018
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British Shorthair
Rico
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Bleeding
Hey I took my 3 to the groomers on the 29/04/2019 2 of my cat's come back fine but my other cat Rico he come back with 9 bleeding claws and one claw missing I've spoken to the groomers and they are point blank refusing to show me the CCTV cameras and I've spoken to the vet's and they said I have to keep an eye on the cat for the next few days I've spoken to the RSPCA and I've spoken to the police where do I stand as the groomers are trying to put the blame on me the cat has all so got a cut in his mouth
tabby
Suki
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
My cat was walking on a chair and her claw came out will she be okay or does she need a vet??? Because she looks like she is in pain and almost started to cry when it happened
stray
Boots
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Dew Claw Broke, Limps, Cries When Lifted
Dew Claw Broke, Limps, Cries
My cat Boots has become indoor/outdoor and after 2 days missing, he came home limping and not acting himself. We have seen a bigger cat bullying him several times and think he must've been beaten up because his dew claw on the sore leg, is almost gone. I don't have the money to take him to a vet. He's worrying me. He's sleeping in places he doesn't usually go, almost like he's trying to hide to pass away. At what point should he start to heal up or is it serious enough I need to get him veterinary attention?
Torn Toenail Average Cost
From 249 quotes ranging from $100 - $300
Average Cost
$200
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
