Trimming felines' claws is important to overall health

I have tried to address the "how to" of feline claw trimming in the past. Just the mere task of learning the technique is fraught with frustration. So much so, that many feline enthusiasts simply leave the task to the professionals such as groomers or veterinarians. Still others seek surgical alternatives.

Some of us might believe all this claw trimming is necessary to preserve household harmony. That is, to keep our belongings and house furnishings from becoming ruined feline shreddings. In reality, it is to lessen nail and nail bed problems that may, over time, lessen your feline's mobility.

True, felines try to keep their claws in good condition by play-hunting, marking (scratching) and climbing, but they still need our assistance to stay in top form. A mere scratching post is not enough. Playing alone does not take the edge off the nails like real hunting and tree climbing.

As inside felines have evolved, they need us more to keep them conditioned in every aspect of health.

If you think of your feline's claws as epidermal structures, not unlike our fingernails, the idea of maintenance is easier to grasp. Their claws are much more complex than our nails because they can retract their claws at will.

Their paws house tissue like rubber bands to allow retraction and extension. The feline is literally flexing its muscles when it chooses to extend its claws. That translates to more parts of the paw to keep healthy.

If you routinely clip their claws you are regularly monitoring the health of the tissue. If you hear your feline's claws clicking on the floor you may have waited too long to trim, so much so, that you may be flirting with a future medical issue.

Besides you monitoring the condition of your feline's claws and paws, watch how your feline treats its own paws. Their behaviors are indicators of health, both good and poor. Constant licking or limping may indicate an obvious trauma problem.

In play or jumping they may have distended or pulled a claw by snagging something. The toes or nail bed may appear inflamed and swollen. Some felines may just be uncharacteristically inactive or uninterested.

Swollen or inflammation can be caused by bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. Besides inflammation, check the color of the claws for abnormalities and any discharge. Prompt detection and veterinary care are important for an accurate diagnosis.

Infections can also be fungal and autoimmune. Ringworm is a fungal that can attack the nail and anil beds. When a feline suffers from autoimmune problems, antibodies usually attack the nail beds and skin. Left untreated, this type of infection results not only in hair loss, but can escalate into open sores that will cause the infection to spread further.

Your feline can also suffer trauma to its paws and claws from your failure to properly monitor or control your home environment. Chemicals and thermal burns can account for some major paw injuries. Cleaning agents, stove tops, older furnaces and dryers can send a feline to the veterinarian for a bandage job (if lucky) or for a serious surgery.

Your job-description as "feline caregiver" does not stop with mere claw trimming. It requires an evaluation of overall paw, claw and nail bed health as preventive maintenance. Your scratching post and cat tree do not do an adequate stand-in for you either. You need to be "hands on" when assessing your feline's health in all areas, especially, as your feline ages gracefully.

Age alone can present even more issues with epidermal health.

Featured felines:

• Donovan is a black and white male with fluffy, long fur. He was found in a backyard in Des Plaines. He is currently in our cat room, where he spends most of his time on the shelves around the room, but does occasionally visit the cat tree by the window.

If you spend some time sitting on the floor, he will come over by you for a little attention. He is still a little hesitant around people, but is rapidly changing into a friendly guy.

Come in and visit with him for a while. He might just be the one you want curled up next to you on the couch while watching TV or reading a good book.

• Iris is a small, black and white female. She was found in a parking lot before being brought to the shelter. She is a very active little girl who likes attention and loves to play. Don't let her size fool you, though.

She spent a couple of weeks in a pair of condos before moving into room 1 with cats that are much bigger than she is. Iris will stand up to any of them.

Come in and spend some time with this feisty little girl and help her burn off some energy. She just might have enough energy to follow you home.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3, all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.