noun

a curved pointed horny nail on each digit of the foot in birds, lizards, and some mammals.

nail,talon,unguis,pounce

verb

scratch or tear something with the claws or the fingernails.

the kitten was clawing at Lowell’s trouser leg

scratch,lacerate,tear,rake,rip,slash,scrape,graze,dig into,maul,savage,mutilate,scrabble at