Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My cat's nail ripped off. Is my exposed nail bed care normal?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 8 lbs

Hi my cats nail ripped off last Friday night, exposing the nail bed completely. I spoke with a vet that advised me to put triple antibiotic ointment on him twice a day which I have been doing, I was cleaning it, and doing epsom salt soaks. I’ve stopped that to not cause as much irritation. I do clean it after he uses his liter box with cat wound spray. I’m also keeping a cone on him so he doesn’t lick his paw. Am I doing anything wrong? Any other advice? Also want to make sure it looks normal

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 1st, 2020

It sounds like you are doing everything right and Makaveli's paw does not look infected. You have also done the right thing by stopping the cleaning, as it needs to heal. Keep cleaning it after he uses the litter box, just gently, and keep the cone on him for now. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 28th, 2020

    If it's not bleeding I would typically not cover it, especially since a bandage can be difficult to keep in place. I'd recommend using the cone to keep him from licking. You probably do not need to clean or soak any more unless there is obvious dirt on the area - cleaning and soaking could lead to further irritation.

    Vote icon

    9Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I'm jo my cats called kiara I don't know what she done or how she done it a she a indoor but if you see in picture she has somehow lost a chunk of her thumb claw on or left paw other picture is her right paw I have cleaned it with salt water
Ouch! It looks like the nail might have gotten caught and torn out, causing the wound you are seeing. As cat wounds can become easily infected, especially if they lick at it, it is a good idea to have a vet take a look at it and prescribe antibiotics to help it heal. They can also make sure the nail bed and any surrounding tissue is OK as well. Until you can get to your vet, keeping it clean and dry and using an Elizabethan (cone) collar to keep Kiara from licking it is best.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog ripped his nail off. Bleeding is stopped but it's broke right down to his hair and his quik is very exposed. Idon't have much antibiotics to wrap it up till tomorrow. But I have something called woun'dres - collagen hydrogel wound dressing. A
You can use both. A thin layer of iodine ointment will serve to help prevent infection. The Woun’ dres can be applied over it. If Caesar is likely to lick it, I recommend an e-collar. He may chew and eat a bandage if he isn’t wearing an e-collar. Bandages are also tricky because they can trap moisture and can tighten, cutting off circulation to the paw. I would continue applying both three times a day until the nail bed appears completely dry and scabbed over. You can place a toddler sock or a bootie over the paw when you take Caesar outside to pee and poop but I would avoid long walks for the next week. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My husband trimmed the cat’s nails today without incident. We’ve never had a problem before. Hours later we noticed one thumb nail was bleeding and split longwise in 3 pieces! We cleaned it with antiseptic. We removed damaged pieces He’s not licking
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Khufu. You've done the right thing by cleaning his nail, and if it isn't bothering, keep an eye on him for now. If you see him licking it a lot, limping, or signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, pus), have him seen by a vet. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My kitty disappeared for 48 hours and when she came back I could tell something was wrong with her paws. I was unable to touch her paws until today when she finally let me take a look at them. Should I be concerned enough to take her to a vet near me
Hi there. It looks like Mae ripped off her nail while she was out and about. There isn't much to do for that other than let the nail grow back. If she'll tolerate it, you can try soaking her feet in warm water with some epsom salts sprinkled in, this can be very soothing. Otherwise, I think you are fine to just monitor at home and see the vet if there are any changes. I hope that helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a open wound from an ingrown nail, the nail has been removed but there seems to be a clear liquid coming from the wound.
I would gently clean the wound with warm water and antiseptic soap. To keep Speedy from licking at it, you can put an Ecollar on her. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home. Keep the wound clean and dry, and monitor it for signs of infection. If you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, then it is infected and she will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello sir/ma'am, I was cutting my cats nails yesterday and only the (thumb) on the left paw had this kind of black thing on it.. it was kind of trapped in her paw hair as she is Persian and has long hair even on the paws so it might've been stuck wit
No, I would not be worried at this time. I suggest you clean that area with a dilution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 10 parts water. Just put the diluted peroxide on a cotton ball and wipe the nail bed area until clean. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi! I just noticed this about 15 minuets ago, She wont let me touch her feet (She never has.) But I noticed when my cat was sitting down that there was a small blood stain on her white fur just above her claws so I picked her up, and seen she has blo
You can wash it with mild soapy water (dawn dish soap works well) if she'll let you, and then monitor the nail bed for redness, swelling, or discharge that would indicate infection. If she won't let you wash it, she will likely clean it herself. Mild nail bed injuries often resolve just fine on their own, but do watch for evidence of infection which would require a trip to the vet. Hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat climbed a fence and scratched up her two back toes on her front legs. They're both bloody but one looks like it may have peeled. I researched putting antibiotic cream on them, so I did. She has not been let outside (I would only let her roam t
You can try making an Epsom salts soak (directions for dilution with warm water are on the package), which will help to cleanse the toes, and hopefully give Maki some protection against infection - but she might not tolerate it well. You can also purchase an e-collar, which will keep her from licking, as this often causes secondary infection. You can show this to your parents - if the skin is truly peeled back, it's likely that Maki is quite painful (imagine how that would feel) and needs veterinary care in order to protect the area, prevent infection, and treat the pain. You might tell them that dealing with this now, rather than later, may be less expensive, as foot injuries can easily get complicated in cats, since they use a litter box, and infection is common.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat was laying in the other room like normal and when I went in there to check on him, I noticed his nail was ripped. I believe it's his dew claw. He seems fine and there's just dried blood where his nail was so I assume he must've done something
If your cat seems fine and without any pain, I would not take him into the vet. Cats can lose their nails, and I would monitor the area for now for signs of infection just to be safe. Look for signs of redness, swelling, pus, or warmth to the touch. Should you see any of those signs, then I would take him into the vet. Otherwise, you can gentle clean the area with some warm water and antiseptic soap.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat started meowing like he was in danger while laying on my bed, his claw looks broken and looks like a part is smaller then the other. Mud and strange fur cover his claws
Is it possible that Mickey got in a fight with something? I can't tell from the photo's if the nail is actually broken or not. They do have an outter cuticle that can shed but the nail is still fine and intact. Examine the 'quik' of the nail (that's the pinkish area at the base of the nail). If the break is through that area, if you see blood or redness around the base of the nail, have Mickey examined by the veterinarian. Clean off his paws as best he will let you. Check him all over for any bite wounds and have him examined if any area found. You may also just have him examined to be safe. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Supplies Cat Nail Care Cat Food Cat Styptic Powder Cat Nail Caps Cat Nail Clippers & Grinders Cat First Aid Cat Health & Wellness Dog Nail Caps Dog Paw & Nail Care Remedy+Recovery Cat Nail Care Curicyn Cat Nail Care Miracle Care Cat Nail Care Curicyn Cat Styptic Powder Remedy+Recovery Cat Styptic Powder Bissell Cat Nail Care Four Paws Cat Nail Care Well & Good Cat Nail Care Dogswell Cat Nail Care Soft Claws Cat Nail Care
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored