Cat Claw Clippers

MrsManda

Hi all,
can anyone recommend claw clippers for small cats?

thanks in advance
x

Caroline_a

I would use an ordinary pair of nail clippers - you don't need to cut loads off, just take the points off. Personally I like to leave my cat to 'sharpen' her own claws though, but if I show her I have to cut them.

Mankysteve

You do have to be careful clipping cats claws as there blood vessels in there. http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm

Personal I wouldn't bother. Got about as much chance of holding our family cat still enough as pig flying.

MrsManda

Thanks for your comments.
I think my cats claws do need clipping as they seem to be getting too long to full retract. They were clipped by the vet a few weeks ago when they got their last vaccinations so it's not as if we've left them for months.

The girls don't seem particularly inclined to stratch things, they rarely use the scratching post, don't scratch the furniture and don't seem particularly interested in scratching anything in the garden where they spend most of their time playing.

tanith

As cats get older they aren't able to retract their claws as well as when they were young , and if my 20yr old cat is anything to go by they don't go out so often and consequently don't wear down their claws.. I clip my cats with an ordinary pair of toe nail clippers (they are bigger than ordinary nail clippers ) I just take off the tips every couple of weeks thats all that needs doing and there is no danger of cutting the blood vessels as you are only taking off the tips. The cat soon gets used to to idea and mine now lets me do it with no problem at all...

lostinrates

some cats don't retract claws..like siamese. I have to clip my cats' claws even when they are outside all day climbing and wearing them down. I've seen the fairly horrific results of someone NOT clipping their cats claws and it growing so long it was starting to go into the foot pad.

Human nail clippers are fine, and yes, take just the very tips off if you cannot see the quick.

MrsManda

Thanks for all your advice

They're only 8 months old and tiny so they're still kittens really and are general moggies so I think they are supposed to retract their claws - they always have done since we've had them anyway.

bratz81

I clip my cats claws as he's an indoor cat so he doesn't get to wear them down as much as he would outside. He does have a scratching post, but his claws still need clipped now and again.

I use human nail clippers, newish ones mind so they're not blunt and only take of the tips. You can see on my cats claws where the blood vessels are (this part of the claw is darker) so I know the 'shortest' I can go if needs be, though I never ever go this short.

Also helps that he just lies there and lets you clip them, so there's been no fighting or accidents

dizziblonde

I just nip the very tips off using human nail clippers - she's indoor, can't get a good scratch going on her post anyway because of missing a back leg leading to stability issues (and me laughing at her when she falls over trying) and it saves my legs from utter shredding - thus ensuring her a ready supply of further cuddles.

She's very very docile though and will happily let you do it - but she's not a cat who goes nuts with you touching her paws anyway - she'll even high five you on occasions.

Bitsy_Beans

Hmmm I've pondered starting this with my 14 week old kitten. She'll happily let me play with her paws and her claws and I wondered if I invested in lots of time getting her used to it she'd let me continue.
I've got clippers so would be ideal to just take the sharp tip off and save my legs from her vertical climbing!

catswhiskers4

I got cat clippers from Pets at Home. They're like these ones:

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/small-scissor-nail-clippers-for-cats-and-dogs-by-mikki-15576

I have used normal nail clippers though too.

Mine are indoor and need it done. I can tell when its time to do it as one of them will start 'clicking' as he walks across the carpet - one of his claws will start catching.

I started them off when they were kittens and they just let me do it now, so its maybe best to do it when they're young so they get used to it. One of mine purrs when he's getting his done (I think because he's worried), but sits perfectly still.