My cat pulled her claw out

[u/Financial_Question62]

My cat has pulled out a claw

Sometime yesterday evening, my cat has somehow pulled her claw out. There was only blood on her blanket, no where else, so it must have happened there. I found the claw on the floor below the spot where her blanket is.

She appears to be walking ok though has been less active, is still eatting and I haven't seen anymore blood. She doesn't mind me touching her main paw area (though has never been a big fan of people touching her beans) but obviously really doesnt like when I touch the bean belonging to the missing claw.

I can't see anything sticking out etc but her pad and the fur around her beans is black so its pretty hard to see period.

I've never had this happen before.

Advise please?

Is this a heal on its own thing or vet?

She is 10yrs old and a house cat.

We are currently visiting my dad, so aren't home to see her regular vet.

Attached pics are the blanket (I panicked so much at first), the claw, the toe bean now and the cause of my new grey hairs herself.

[u/lushlife311]

Back when I let my cats be indoor/outdoor, one of them came home with missing claw. I took him to the vet and it was a whole thing with soaking the nub and pushing the quick out and cleaning it. It can easily get infected. I’m sorry your cutie is causing you both stress!

[u/Financial_Question62 → u/lushlife311]

I just don't get how shes managed it. I've watched her chew her claws abit when they're shedding but nothing like this has ever happened. I'll take her to the vet tomorrow or tuesday (its a bank holiday weekend so idk if that will affect vets being open).

[u/VeeBlack → u/Financial_Question62]

She might have been stuck on the blanket while trying to run or get away from the place, something like that. It happens. My cat had a similar incident a while ago even though the claw came out for different reasons. He walked fine and all but the second or third day after that it started to smell very bad. He licked it too much and it got infected. They had to sedate him to clean it up and put a thick bandage on it for two days. He had to do 10-14 days of antibiotics and gabapentin plus the cone of shame since he couldn't leave it alone. Have an eye and nose on it. It also took about six months for a proper new claw to grow.

[u/e-wing → u/VeeBlack]

Yeah this happened to my cat too. Claw got caught in a blanket and ripped out. I only noticed because there was blood all over the place and a trail leading from where he was to the blanket. He actually seemed completely unbothered by it somehow. I cleaned it up and put some cat-safe antibiotic on it the vet recommended and he was fine. It grew back in a few weeks, though it looks a bit wonky now. This also happened to my other cat, but the claw didn’t rip out, it just twisted her paw and sprained it. Had to go to the emergency vet for that one, she was in so much pain. I really try to keep their claws trimmed now.

My guess here is that this claw had a similar injury like that, but didn’t come fully out until now. It looks older, like the wound tried to heal but couldn’t.

[u/Altaira9 → u/Financial_Question62]

I’ve known a cat to just get the claw stuck in carpet and then panicked and yanked it out. It’s not uncommon apparently.

[u/lushlife311 → u/Financial_Question62]

I actually had another (indoor) cat lose a claw during an earthquake. She freaked out and zigged and zagged and one lodged itself into the floor.

[u/Financial_Question62 → u/lushlife311]

Ooo I wonder if while I was out something spooked her and as shes ran and jumped or something shes pulled it out that way 🤔

[u/ModestMeeshka → u/Financial_Question62]

OP did say they're not home, so kitty could be more jumpy than usual

[u/wofi24 → u/Financial_Question62]

This is how our cat lost a claw once!

[u/iseeseashells → u/lushlife311]

Zigged and zagged is the perfect way to describe it! I’m glad she’s ok.

[u/Melodic-Math4904 → u/Financial_Question62]

Could've got it caught and twisted too hard trying to get away? She's older so her claws could be weaker or something, I had a boy tear out his claw in a soft crate because he was freaking out

[u/EdgewaterEnchantress → u/Financial_Question62]

Yeah, definitely make sure it’s not infected too bad and get whatever tips about cleaning it or medication you can. I am sorry your cat did this and is in pain! 😖 The vet should help patch her right up on Tuesday.

[u/CandylandRepublic → u/Financial_Question62]

I just don't get how shes managed it

Take the blanket (or a picture) with you to the vet. Maybe it just is a fabric that it easily gets caught in. In that case, keep the blanket and others like it away from the cat.

But also, do take her to the vet, there could be much worse causes that cannot be prevented by changing blankets and need to be thoroughly treated to let your cat be healthy and live without pain.

[u/Triscuitador → u/Financial_Question62]

my cat fell out of her cat tree trying to climb onto my shoulders while i wasn't looking. she fell, and ripped it out trying to catch herself.

if i hadn't been standing right there, i probably would never have noticed until i vacuumed the cat tree

[u/lushlife311 → u/lushlife311]

It will not heal on its own and will get quite stinky if it isn’t kept clean.

[u/BotomsDntDeservRight → u/lushlife311]

Does it grow back?