# Ingrown Nail in Cats: Causes, Signs, and Treatment An ingrown nail in cats paw occurs when a claw grows in a curve and pierces the paw pad or the skin beside it instead of shedding normally. It is painful, it can get infected fast, and it usually happens to cats whose nails are not trimmed often enough or whose claws have stopped shedding on their own. The good news is that most cases are simple to fix when you catch them early. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - An ingrown claw is a curled nail that has grown into the pad or skin, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. - Indoor cats, senior cats, and cats with certain bone or skin diseases are at higher risk. - Never cut a nail that is already buried in the pad. You can clean the paw and keep your cat quiet until a vet can look at it. - Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pus, bad smell, limping, and licking the paw constantly. - A vet can usually remove the embedded tip, treat infection, and show you a safe trimming schedule. ## What an Ingrown Nail in Cats Paw Looks Like A normal cat claw is a curved, hollow shell that sheds its outer layer as the nail grows. When a cat scratches, the old sheath flakes off and a sharp new tip is revealed. That is why healthy cats keep their nails short without much help. An ingrown nail does not shed that way. The tip keeps curving, and eventually it presses into the paw pad or the skin along the side of the toe. You may see a small dark spot on the pad, a swollen toe, or a claw that looks like a circle. Some cats hold the paw up, limp, or refuse to let you touch that foot. The pad itself can look bruised, cracked, or crusty. If the nail has been buried for a while, the skin around it may be red and warm. Pus or a bad smell means infection has set in. Cats hide pain well, so a mild ingrown nail may only show up as extra licking or a slight change in how your cat walks. If your cat is limping, this guide on [Cat Limping Paw](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-limping-paw) can help you sort out what to watch for. ## What Causes an Ingrown Nail in Cats Several things can push a claw into the pad. The most common reason is simple: the nail grew too long and curved inward because no one trimmed it. Indoor cats and older cats often wear their nails down less than outdoor cats do, so the tips keep growing. Other causes are medical. Skin disease, bone disease, and some metabolic conditions can change how the claw grows or how the nailbed holds the nail. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Overgrown nail (most common) | One or two long, curled claws, often on the front feet, no other illness | Routine visit within a day or two | | Paronychia (infection of the claw fold) | Swelling, redness, crusts, pus around the nail base, often several toes | Same-day vet visit | | Diabetes mellitus | Long-term wound and crusts over the claw and claw folds, plus drinking, urinating, and eating more than usual | Same-day vet visit | | Patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome (PADS) | Multiple toes on multiple limbs affected, chronic infection, history of weak bones or dental problems | Same-day vet visit | | Sarcoptes scabiei mite infestation | Thick, crusty, oozing skin on the feet, thighs, and tail, plus deformed nails | Same-day vet visit | | Trauma or a foreign body | Sudden swelling after a fall, fight, or something stuck in the paw | Emergency if bleeding heavily or the toe is deformed | Paronychia is the medical word for inflammation or infection of the tissues around the claw. In one report, a cat with diabetes developed a chronic wound and crusts over the claw and claw folds for several months, and the skin and claw problems cleared once the diabetes was treated [1]. That case shows how a whole-body disease can show up first in the toes. PADS is a congenital bone disease in cats. It causes weak bones, retained baby teeth, and impacted adult teeth. A case series found that five cats with PADS had paronychia affecting multiple digits on multiple limbs, and 30 of 36 affected digits eventually needed amputation of the third phalanx (the bone inside the toe) after long courses of antibiotics [2]. Another report describes the dental and bone changes in cats with PADS, including chronic jaw infections that often appear in the first four years of life [3]. Sarcoptes scabiei is a mite that can cause intense itching and crusty skin. In one cat, the infestation caused thick, crusty, oozing dermatitis on the feet, the back of the thighs, and the tail, along with paronychia and deformed nails [4]. This is uncommon, but it is one reason a vet may look beyond the paw itself. If your cat has crusty or oozing skin in other areas too, see [Cat Skin Infection: Signs and Treatment Options](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-skin-infection) for more on what those changes can mean. ## Red Flags That Mean Emergency Care Most ingrown nails are not life-threatening, but some signs mean you should go to a vet right away. - Heavy bleeding that will not stop after a few minutes of gentle pressure. - The toe is bent at a strange angle or the paw is swollen like a balloon. - Your cat is crying, panting, or pulling the paw away when you get near it. - There is a lot of pus, a foul smell, or black or dead-looking skin. - Your cat stops eating, hides, or seems depressed. - The nail is embedded so deeply that you cannot see the tip. - More than one paw is affected and your cat will not walk. These signs suggest deep infection, nerve damage, or a fracture. Waiting can let an infection spread into the bone, which is much harder to treat. ## Safe Things You Can Do at Home While You Wait You can make your cat more comfortable, but you should not try to dig out an embedded nail yourself. Poking at it can push bacteria deeper and cause bleeding. Here is what is safe: - Look at the paw in good light. Note which toe is affected and whether the pad is swollen, cut, or draining. - Clean gently with a warm, damp cloth. Wipe away surface dirt. Do not soak the paw for long periods unless your vet tells you to. - Keep your cat indoors and quiet. Jumping and running can drive the nail deeper. - Use a cone if your cat will not stop licking. Licking adds bacteria and keeps the wound wet. - Check the other nails. If several are long and curling, they may be next. - Call your vet and describe what you see. They can tell you whether to come in now or wait until morning. Do not pull the nail out. Do not cut the tip if it is already inside the pad. Do not put human antibiotic ointment on the paw unless your vet says it is safe, because cats lick their feet and can swallow it. If your cat is older and limping, arthritis can also make paw handling painful. [Cat Arthritis: How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-arthritis-pain-signs) explains the subtle signs. ## What the Veterinarian Will Check and Test Your vet will start by watching your cat walk and then examine all four paws. They will look at each claw, the claw fold, and the pad. They will check for swelling, discharge, and loose or deformed nails. Depending on what they find, they may: - Trim or remove the embedded nail tip. This often gives instant relief. - Flush and clean the wound. - Take a sample of discharge or crusts to look for bacteria, yeast, or mites. - Order blood work, including a glucose check, if diabetes is a concern. - Take X-rays if they suspect a fracture, bone infection, or PADS. - Prescribe antibiotics, antifungal medication, or pain relief. The dose is calculated from your cat's weight and health, so follow the label exactly. If the nailbed or the bone inside the toe is badly damaged, your vet may recommend removing part of the toe. In the PADS case series, most affected digits were treated successfully this way after medical management alone did not work [2]. That sounds serious, but cats do well on three toes per foot, and the surgery removes the source of chronic pain. Your vet will also want to know how often you trim your cat's nails and whether your cat has had skin, bone, or dental problems before. Those details help sort out a simple overgrown nail from a deeper disease. ## Cat Ingrown Nail Treatment at Home: What Is Safe Home treatment has two parts: handling the current problem and preventing the next one. For the current problem, your job is to keep the paw clean and keep your cat from making it worse. If your vet has already removed the nail tip, follow their instructions for cleaning and medication. Most simple cases heal within a few days to a week. For prevention, learn to trim your cat's nails on a schedule. The ASPCA advises patience and planning at least a month just to get your cat used to having their paws and toes handled [5]. You may only get one or two claws done in a sitting at first, and that is fine. The best time is when your cat is relaxed or sleepy, not right after a stressful event or a wild play session [5]. Use the right tool. Cat claws are best trimmed with a guillotine-style clipper, and you should replace the clipper as soon as the blades feel dull, because dull blades press on the claw and make the job more uncomfortable [5]. Do not use human nail clippers [5]. Pair trimming with a special treat that your cat only gets for pedicures. The ASPCA suggests trying bits of tuna, vacuum-sealed salmon, cooked chicken liver, or smelly cheese, then reserving the two or three treats your cat likes best for claw trimming only [5]. That turns a stressful chore into something your cat may actually tolerate. If your cat has long, thick nails that do not shed, ask your vet to show you how to trim them safely. Some cats need a trim every two to three weeks. Others can go longer. The right schedule depends on how fast your cat's nails grow and how much they scratch. ## How to Prevent Ingrown Nails in Cats Prevention is mostly about routine nail care and watching for early signs. - Trim nails every two to four weeks, or on whatever schedule your vet recommends. - Check all four paws monthly. Look for curled tips, cracks, and swelling. - Give your cat scratching posts and pads. Scratching helps shed the outer nail sheath. - Watch for changes in how your cat walks, jumps, or lands. - Keep up with wellness visits, especially for senior cats and cats with diabetes or bone disease. - Treat skin problems early. Crusty, itchy, or oozing skin around the toes needs a vet's attention. If your cat has a hot spot or raw area on a leg from licking, [Cat Hot Spot on Leg: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-hot-spot-on-leg-treatment) covers how to handle it. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you whether your cat's nail is simply overgrown or whether something deeper is going on. Only a veterinarian who examines your cat can do that. Contact your vet the same day if you see swelling, redness, pus, a bad smell, or a nail buried in the pad. Go to an emergency clinic now if there is heavy bleeding, a deformed toe, black or dead-looking skin, or your cat is crying, panting, or unable to walk. Schedule a routine visit if your cat's nails seem to grow fast, if several nails look thick or deformed, or if you are not comfortable trimming them yourself. A routine visit is also a good time to ask about your cat's overall health, since claw changes can be the first sign of a body-wide disease. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can an ingrown nail in a cat heal on its own? No, an ingrown nail rarely heals on its own because the claw keeps growing into the pad. The tip must be trimmed or removed, and any infection needs treatment. Once the tip is out and the wound is clean, most simple cases heal quickly. ### How do you get rid of an ingrown nail on a cat? A veterinarian removes the embedded tip, cleans the wound, and treats infection if it is present. You should not try to pull the nail out at home. After the tip is removed, keep the paw clean and stop your cat from licking it. ### Is an ingrown nail in cats painful? Yes, it is painful. The claw is pressing into sensitive tissue, and the pad has a rich nerve supply. Your cat may limp, hold the paw up, lick constantly, or become grumpy when you touch that foot. ### Do indoor cats get ingrown nails more often? Indoor cats are at higher risk because they wear their nails down less than cats who go outside. Senior cats and cats who sleep a lot are also at risk. Regular trimming is the best prevention. ### Can I just cut the curled tip off myself? Only if the tip is clearly outside the pad and you can see it without pulling on the toe. If the nail is already buried, cutting it can cause bleeding and push bacteria deeper. When in doubt, let your vet handle it. ## Related Articles - [Cat Arthritis: How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-arthritis-pain-signs) - [Cat Skin Infection: Signs and Treatment Options](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-skin-infection) - [Cat Hot Spot on Leg: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-hot-spot-on-leg-treatment) - [Cat Limping Paw](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-limping-paw) - [Signs Of A Urinary Tract Infection In My Cat](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/signs-of-a-urinary-tract-infection-in-my-cat) - [Cat Limping: Arthritis or Something Else? How to Tell](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-limping-arthritis-or-something-else) ## References 1. [Uncommon dermatologic manifestation (paronychia) in a cat with diabetes mellitus](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38616020/). Topics in companion animal medicine, 2024. 2. [Chronic paronychia in cats with patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33759602/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2021. 3. [Characterization of Oral Pathology in Cats Affected by Patellar Fracture and Dental Anomaly Syndrome (PADS)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37248965/). Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2023. 4. [Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in a cat](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3112050/). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1987. 5. [Trimming Your Cat’s Claws](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/trimming-your-cats-claws). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)