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PAW’S

CORNER

By Sam Mazzotta

TREATING A CAT’S INGROWN TOENAIL

D EAR PAW’S CORNER: the routine struggle of trimming a Revisit the nail in two days to trim
it back further, and monitor closely
I don’t know how it
cat’s nails while they wriggle and nip
at you to try and escape, and it’s sur-
happened, because
from now on.
I check and trim my
cat’s nails regularly. prisingly easy to miss a claw or two. However, if the claw has penetrated
Have a partner help you by gently
Today, “Sparks” cried out in pain holding your cat in a comfortable the skin, removing it can be painful
when I checked his right paw, and position while you inspect his paw and stressful for your cat. Make an
that’s when, on closer inspection, more closely. Use a magnifying glass appointment with the veterinarian,
I saw that one of the middle claws to get a better look at the ingrown who will be able to numb the area
had grown around, down and into claw. slightly, trim the claw, and remove
the pad of his paw! How did I miss it? the part remaining in the pad while
And what can I do to fix this? If the claw has not penetrated the preventing infection.
-- Sharon in Bennington, Vermont skin of your cat’s pad -- it may be
pushing against the skin -- you COMMENTS
DEAR SHARON: Cats are very good at should be able to safely trim the nail Send your questions or pet tips
to ask@pawscorner.com.
hiding illness and injury. Plus, some away from the pad. Use sturdy nail
cats have longer tufts of fur growing nippers made for cats, and trim only © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
between their claws, and this can a small part of the nail -- enough
obscure nail problems. Add that to to release the pressure on the pad.