Clipping cat's claws?
Discussion
Just wondering if clipping my cat's claws is for the best or not really? She keeps her front ones very sharp on her scratching posts, and they're quite long. Her rear ones aren't as sharp or long, but I can hear her clicking when she walks, not that I can figure out which foot it is!
Do you clip your cat's claws? Is this worth a quick trip to the vet nurse? Thanks all
Do you clip your cat's claws? Is this worth a quick trip to the vet nurse? Thanks all
His old is your cat? This could be significant.
Generally I don't think cats claws should be cut as they shed the outer layer bug if they are stating to 'hook' round a bit too much then they may need it. Older cats struggle to retract their claws properly so this would be another reason to get them done (also aren't always as good at removing the outer layers.)
The nurse could check them and then show you what to check for.
Generally I don't think cats claws should be cut as they shed the outer layer bug if they are stating to 'hook' round a bit too much then they may need it. Older cats struggle to retract their claws properly so this would be another reason to get them done (also aren't always as good at removing the outer layers.)
The nurse could check them and then show you what to check for.
Yes we do them regularly, just take the sharp edges off really. Otherwise I end up with a lot of scratches/cuts as my cats are awfully "affectionate" on my legs/chest/stomach etc whilst laying on me..... Oh, and they have a habit of pawing me for more attention if they think I am slacking....
If they're touching the floor when she stands then they could do with a trim. Just take the tip off being careful to avoid the quick (pink bit in the middle). If you don't feel confident then you can go to the vets but honestly it's very, very easy and clippers only cost a couple of pounds.
Really easy to do if you want. No matter how sharp the clippers the claws will always fray rather than cut cleanly. Long thick claws which grow quickly in an older cat (mostly over 10) can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, be suspicious if the cat eats really well but stays thin and relatively active for the age.
Jasandjules said:
Yes we do them regularly, just take the sharp edges off really. Otherwise I end up with a lot of scratches/cuts as my cats are awfully "affectionate" on my legs/chest/stomach etc whilst laying on me..... Oh, and they have a habit of pawing me for more attention if they think I am slacking....
Ditto Tbh if you get anywhere near the quick on a cat claw you are either trimming too much off or they don't need doing.
If you really want/ need to do them it really s just the tips that should be taken off.
I can honestly say I have never needed to trim any of my cats claws until they have become elderly and that's only once every few months.
If you really want/ need to do them it really s just the tips that should be taken off.
I can honestly say I have never needed to trim any of my cats claws until they have become elderly and that's only once every few months.
Yup, echo the advice above. We have two cats and have a routine now (built into them since they were young) that the wife holds them in her arms, and I go round their toes one at a time and clip the ones that need doing.
They seem to grow differently, some are wide and blunt and others thin and sharp. I think this is just different times in the "shedding" cycle. I'll only clip the long thin sharp ones, the blunt ones don't need it. On my cats you can trim the sharp points off pretty easily without getting too close to the "quick", which is the pink bit you can see. I have some cat first aid items in a box though, including some q-tips which have antiseptic in. They could be used to help stem the blood flow that would result if clipped too short - so just be careful.
I'm really lucky that my cats are pretty docile, and they're in a routine. They know they'll get treats after, and of course always being gentle means they now trust me and just get on with it. I'd imagine that with a less than co-operative cat it could be much more distressing for cat and owner, hence the need for a vets to do it for you.
If your cats are kicking around when you do it then be extra careful, because cutting too much by accident will really hurt them and could lead to infection. So if it's too hard, leave it to a vet. But it depends on what your cats are like and how they react really.
They seem to grow differently, some are wide and blunt and others thin and sharp. I think this is just different times in the "shedding" cycle. I'll only clip the long thin sharp ones, the blunt ones don't need it. On my cats you can trim the sharp points off pretty easily without getting too close to the "quick", which is the pink bit you can see. I have some cat first aid items in a box though, including some q-tips which have antiseptic in. They could be used to help stem the blood flow that would result if clipped too short - so just be careful.
I'm really lucky that my cats are pretty docile, and they're in a routine. They know they'll get treats after, and of course always being gentle means they now trust me and just get on with it. I'd imagine that with a less than co-operative cat it could be much more distressing for cat and owner, hence the need for a vets to do it for you.
If your cats are kicking around when you do it then be extra careful, because cutting too much by accident will really hurt them and could lead to infection. So if it's too hard, leave it to a vet. But it depends on what your cats are like and how they react really.
Our older cat is a big lad (not fat, just a fairly large cat) and his claws are like scalpels if he decides to sit on your lap doing that "padding" thing, which he is often wont to do. He catches on your clothes and occasionally the carpets if he's charging about so our vet took a look and said we should be trimming them.
They do hook round quite a bit so we just take the tips off, he's happier for it cos he gets annoyed when he's padding on your stomach and catching his claws on your clothes. Not to mention that we get annoyed at having clothes destroyed.
He hates having it done, he'll wriggle and complain but he gets treats at the end of it so he's starting to come round a bit.
They do hook round quite a bit so we just take the tips off, he's happier for it cos he gets annoyed when he's padding on your stomach and catching his claws on your clothes. Not to mention that we get annoyed at having clothes destroyed.
He hates having it done, he'll wriggle and complain but he gets treats at the end of it so he's starting to come round a bit.
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