Cat claws are connected to their toes and leg through ligaments and tendons. The phalanges are the equivalent of the fingertips on human hands, and the metacarpal bone is the same as the heel of a hand. Both bones are connected to the skin and are protected by a layer of skin called the quick.
Cat claws also have nerves and blood vessels within them. These are just a few of the many functions performed by these vital body parts.
The nail in a cat's paw is made of a protein called keratin. This protein grows from a blood supply inside the nail. When the blood supply is cut, the outer part of the claw begins to die and becomes a "sheath" surrounding the younger, healthy nail.
A healthy house cat's claw sheds its dead keratin every two to three months. This leaves a claw shell on the scratching post and a healthy nail underneath. Make sure if you take your cat to a professional that they have pet groomer insurance.