Cats have retractable claws which are useful to hunt and climb, and at the same time, they have a special system for nails growth that is different from dogs’ and human beings’: nails do not grow in a linear way but in layers, therefore they are never left without their weapon since under the lost nail there is always another one to replace it. That is why it is wrong to say cats sharpen their nails: the right thing to say would be that when they are supposedly doing so, they are actually removing the top layer (already dry and useless) of their nails.

Because of this, the trimming of their claws must be done frequently and carefully not to damage the non-corneal ungueal tissue.