Cat Retracting Claws

All the felines, except cheetahs, are capable of extending and contracting their claws at will. In the case of cheetahs, the fastest animal on Earth, their claws are always extended to keep its running speed, which he depends on for hunting rather than the effect of surprise.

The retracting mechanism of the claw is formed by an elastic ligament that joins the last two bones of the paw connected by tendons to the muscles of the legs.

Under normal situations the claw is kept sheath under a layer of skin thanks to the tension in the ligament. When a stimulus appears, the muscles retract the tendons and extend the last bone, pushing the claw forward and out. At the same time, the tendons hold the two final phalanxes for the articulations to be kept rigid.

Sharp claws
To keep their claws sharpened is an instinctive behavior. Free cats sharpen their claws on trees and similar, in the same place everyday.

Domestic cats using their instincts do the same . . . but on furniture and rugs.; so if you don't want spoiled furniture and others at home, give the cat a small straw mat and teach him to use it for scratching. It's no use trying to convince the cat not to scratch the furniture if you don't give him alternatives.

Cats that roam free don't have trouble keeping their claws sharp, while does in houses need to have them clipped every now and then, it's a very delicate job and it is better to leave it to specialists.

There are many veterinarians that operate domestic cats to extract their front claws. This practice is not very well received, and most of the feline associations are against this practice and forbids the participation in shows of cats without claws.

In fact, the opinion of the majority is that the claw extraction is a cruel and unnatural practice that deprives cats of a very important psychological weapon. We also have to say that, when a cat without claws escapes from home and has to live on the streets, he has little possibilities of surviving, the absence of claws impedes him to hunt, defend himself or escape from his enemies.

Although the claws are perfect for climbing up, they are of no great help for climbing down, that is because they are curved backwards and don't permit a good hold. This explains the weird way cats have when coming down from a high place, rotating the body and jumping forward.

The depurated technique that cats apply to climb and the clumsy way in which they come down, has made many owners have to call the fire department for help on bringing them down.