What would happen if a dog or cat's nail's were left to grow without trimming?

Would a cat or dog's nails peirce the animals paws if the nails were never allowed to be clipped or trimmed? And if so, would they grow through the animals toes and come back and exit through the top of the paw??What would happen if a dog or cat's nail's were left to grow without trimming?
Cats' claws are retractile, meaning they are kept within the paw until the cat chooses to unsheath them - this is to keep them sharp. They therefore do not wear down just through walking around, but cats will strip the outer layer of their claws themselves. They do this either with their teeth, or by scratching at trees and so on.





Dogs' claws are non-retractile, and will be worn down sufficiently just by walking as long as the dog is walked regularly and on some hard surfaces, like the pavement.





If a cat or dog needs its claws trimming, there is something wrong - either the animal isn't getting access to places to wear its claws, or it has a medical condition. Think about it - if animals like these needed their claws trimming regularly, what would happen to wild species like lions and wolves?What would happen if a dog or cat's nail's were left to grow without trimming?
Cats are generally not so much a problem as they tend to scratch which keeps it in check.





Dogs can vary. A dog walking around where the nail is going to get worn down doesn't necessarily need cutting. But I've heard of cases from the RSPCA or the like where the animal can barely walk and has great problems. Never heard of one that they came out the other side because if there digging into the feet the animal tends to be in such bad shape it wouldn't live for the nails to get to the other side...
We had eight cats when I lived with my parents. We never trimmed their claws and they never suffered any problems.


They were a bunch of moggies leading a good outdoor life, perhaps thats what kept the claws worn down. I can imagine that if you have a pampered indoor cat, then the claws might grow. But what sort of cat is that?
The 3 cats I've had, past and present never had to have their claws clipped, they've usually done it for themselves using a scratching pole (or on occassions the darn furniture..grrr), with a dog it's not always necessary either unless they are growing inward or making walkies uncomfortable.
impaired moblility. they would become thick hard. as far as growing into their paw....it depends on the species. Some animals nails grow more outward and some grow in a curve. the curved nails could possibly grow circular towards the bottom of the paw.
Dogs end up not being able to walk well. I have never seen them grow into their pads.
it won't normally but if the toe is numb ,there is such a possibility



cat nails just fall off xox
ive never had to trim my cat or dogs nails and ive had them for 3 years now so id say its not really a problem