Do you trim your cats claws?

Fridaycat

As I've said before on these forums (and I bet some of you are sick of hearing it by now lol!), I am due to get two pedigree Bengal kittens in August.

(Video if you want to see the gorgeous little pair - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whC1Pt_DAwY; but apologies in advance that I am no Steven Spielberg :eek:)

My breeder and I are discussing taking them to a show in October to see if (a) it is something I would like to get involved with and (b) more importantly, see if it is something that the kittens will enjoy.

One of the requirements of showing cats is that you trim their claws. NOT totally declaw them like I have seen on some Americans cats :eek:, but just trim the sharp tips off, obviously avoiding the quick. So it is basically, just like us trimming our nails.

What do you think of doing this to a cat? I can see quite a few advantages - no shredded leather sofa like I have now from our other 3 cats, no blood drawn when playing with them and they get too excited, no claws digging in your back when they climb up it to sit on your shoulders (Friday is the worst for this!). And, it causes no pain. But are there any disadvantages that I've not considered do you think?

rising_from_the_ashes

OMG I wouldn't get even one done on mine!:eek: (I'm pretty sure de-clawing is illegal in the UK).

Most cats should manage to keep their claws "under control" - they need them to be a decent length, spike at the end etc to help with everyday life (climbing trees, gripping the ground etc in wet conditions).

Personally, I wouldn't do it.

Fridaycat

Hi rising! I'm not talking about de-clawing at all - I agree completely with you that cats need their claws to climb trees etc. I'm just talking about trimming the very tips of the claw, the very sharp point at the end

*BigBird*

My DH used to trim his old cat, Junior's claws. She rarely went out (through her own choice) and they would get quite long, to the point where she'd be sticking to the carpets and furniture as she walked. He'd just nip the ends off to keep them more manageable for her, certainly not to the extreme of de-clawing.

We don't do it with the 2 we have now as they are very much outdoor cats and happily scratch the trees and fence outside to keep their claws in check.

If you start them young and don't make a big deal of it, I'm sure they'll get used to it. Junior didn't mind having it done, DH would do it when she was crashed out on his lap and she'd barely even wake up.

rising_from_the_ashes

Fridaycat wrote: »

Hi rising! I'm not talking about de-clawing at all - I agree completely with you that cats need their claws to climb trees etc. I'm just talking about trimming the very tips of the claw, the very sharp point at the end

Hi :wave:

Sorry if that came out wrong - I know you're not going to de-claw just mentioned in case anyone thought "oh that's a good idea".

I still wouldn't take even the ends off (sorry) - I have been tempted sometimes tho' when Archie's kneading on a rather sensitive part of my anatomy and the needles are digging in!:rotfl:

Naide

I'd be shredded human if I attempted that with my cat :eek:
She owns me anyway. I can just tell.:rotfl::D:rotfl:

Fridaycat

Naide wrote: »

I'd be shredded human if I attempted that with my cat :eek:
She owns me anyway. I can just tell.:rotfl::D:rotfl:

As BigBird said, if you start them young, there shouldn't be any issues. I've watched videos on You Tube of people trimming cats claws (yes, there are many on there :rotfl:) and none of them seemed to mind at all. But I agree that if you wanted to suddenly start it with some older cats, you may have some issues! And we are all slaves to our feline owners I think

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I take my kitty to the vets when he claws need trimming. Too risky trimming at home.

It's only as she has gotten older that I've needed to have her claws trimmed at all.

Wonder_Girl

I clip my 9 month old kittens claws, just 1mm-2mm about every 4-6 weeks, although she does go outside she doesn't really scratch anything (except me!). I only do it when I notice they are getting so long they start to curve round. It doesn't stop her climbing or bother her in the slightest. I have done it from when she was tiny so she is used to it now.

I don't need to do my adult cat as she will scratch the tree, also she would NOT tolerate it, she doesn't talk to me for hours when I give her flea drops!

HTH

WG x

Fridaycat

Wonder_Girl wrote: »

, she doesn't talk to me for hours when I give her flea drops!

HTH

WG x

Thanks, WG! I know the feeling of cats not talking to you - one of mine (Harry) sulks for two days when he comes back from the cattery

spookylukey

I do both my cats fairly regularly, maybe once every 6 weeks. One of them tolerates it with no issues and stands there like a horse while I pick up each paw to do it. The other one squeals, writhes and squirms - you would think I'm cutting his toes off the amount of fuss he makes!

They are both very affectionate and 'paddle' on me so it's a necessity!

Edit to add: I started when they were kittens to try and get them used to it. The objector used to be fine with it but now weighs 6kg+ and has decided he doesn't like it!