Once they have located an animal, predators need a good way to nab their prey. Both cats and raptors developed sharp appendages on their feet to sink into prey. Raptors are actually named for this ability; the name comes from the Latin word rapere, which means "to seize."
Claws and talons are made of keratin, the same material as our fingernails. They grow continuously and are naturally worn down to maintain a sharp point for hunting, defense, and, in cats, climbing. Cats developed one way to ensure the tips don't wear down too quickly. Their retractable claws hold the claw off the ground when relaxed and the razor-sharp blades extend only when needed. In raptors, the talons are gradually worn down by perching on rough surfaces, exposure to weather like rain, and sinking into prey.
After a few weeks of living with my first cat, I became alarmed when I started finding claw-shaped cases on the carpet. In raptors, the keratin sheath covers the talon bone. Finding a full sheath ripped from the bone often means a painful, bloody injury. What did this mean for a cat? As a lifetime cat owner, my husband was not phased by the cat claw sheath in my hand and assured me that it was normal. I found out that cats regularly shed the outer layer of keratin to maintain their claws. Phew!
(Finally, I just need to make a quick PSA for the unfortunate practice of declawing cats. This procedure amputates a portion of the cat's toe and causes all sorts of problems. It may prevent a cat from scratching furniture, but can cause medical issues like arthritis because the cat cannot walk normally. They may show other behavior problems like litter box avoidance or aggression. And it deprives them of doing cat specific behaviors like scratching, climbing, and grabbing prey. The practice is actually banned in many countries as an inhumane procedure. Cats need claws!)
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