Trimming cat's claws?

[8bit]

One of our Maine Coons is forever snagging his claws on stuff - carpets, the sofa, duvet cover, clothes, you name it. Should we be thinking about clipping his claws?

[PaulG40]

I do my cat's claws once a month. Don't know how bigger a coon's claws are but we've got proper pet cat claw scissors, from pets@home. Tend to have to wrap up the cat in a blanket and stick a leg out of it to be safe from her going mental though. Its a teo person job, but she loves us afterwards though, lol.

[bexVN]

Get an appointment with a nurse at the vets, they can assess the nails and see if they should be trimmed back. SOmetimes lifestyle and age can cause an issue with nails, generally I don't like to mess with cats nails as they should keep them in check themselves but not alwys the case.

My eldest cat is 17 and I've just started doing his as older cats can struggle to retract their claws properly as they get older so catch in things but I only take the ends off. Cats nails grow in layers many cats pull off the outer layers (or use scratching posts to remove them) if they don't the nails can get thick as well as long (usuallly affects older cats)

My Maine COon had to have it done for a little while as she was indoors (post accident) and would rip the stair carpet to shreds)

Sometimes trimming claws may make them scratch at things more, for her it did seem to reduce it (well at least reduce the damage!)

Once you've been shown then you may feel happy to do it at home, but not too often.

[RaeB]

We have two cats, one of which looks after his claws as he is out and about all the time. The other cat doesn't like going out and as a result his claws get long. We usually take him to the vet nurse for a quick manicure, but have started doing it at home with other regular maintenance (he has long fur and needs his 'trousers' trimmed). It's a two person job, but nice and quick.

[8bit]

Nice one, thanks all.

@BexVN, I'm actually not keen on trimming them at all, I'd far rather he was able to do whatever needs doing to stop them catching himself. The cat in question is somewhere between 5.5 and 6 years old, not massive by Maine Coon standards but when we adopted them and had the vet check them out she remarked on the size of his claws.

He's not really one for using the scratching posts, he seems to use the carpet or sofa although he's starting to get better and use the proper posts. Will scratching posts or mats reduce how much he snags stuff? We put catnip spray on stuff they are supposed to scratch in an effort to encourage him but he doesn't seem to be taking the hint!

They're getting on for due their 6 month checkup so will ask them to have another look then too.

[Jasandjules]

We just clip the claws ourselves. Just rescued a pair of "kittens" and did their claws yesterday. They soon learn that it's ok and then they get a treat after too. It's one of those things, like cleaning the ears/teeth and brushing them (if you are going to do so) that's best to start as early as possible in the pets life so it accepts it as normal IMHO.

[ali_kat]

I've always just taken the sharp tips off my pair. Bast likes to stretch up and paw a hello to your leg, and it scars if I don't!

[Marf]

I clip Ben's middle claws on his front paws because they get really long and catches on everything. Literally just the end 2-3mm is enough.

[Mubby]

Tiggy cat sits and bites his, It goes right through me that noise, crunch crunch crunch! but at least they stay trimmed I suppose!