Do you trim your cats claws?

tankgirl1

Hiya

I would never advise trimming an outdoor cats nails, as they need them to get around safely, defend themselves etc whilst they are ot and about. On an indoor cat it is fine to do it though - I find a pair of human nail clippers is great for cats - I used to keep a pair in my pocket at work much to the amusement of my colleagues

tanith

tankgirl1 wrote: »

Hiya

I would never advise trimming an outdoor cats nails, as they need them to get around safely, defend themselves etc whilst they are ot and about. On an indoor cat it is fine to do it though - I find a pair of human nail clippers is great for cats - I used to keep a pair in my pocket at work much to the amusement of my colleagues

My old lady is an outdoors cat but she really needs me to trim her claws or they are forever getting caught in carpet or fabric chairs.. she could still defend herself if necessary with her clipped claws I only take the tips off she still has most of her claw.

tankgirl1

tanith wrote: »

My old lady is an outdoors cat but she really needs me to trim her claws or they are forever getting caught in carpet or fabric chairs.. she could still defend herself if necessary with her clipped claws I only take the tips off she still has most of her claw.

Hiya - yes, older cats claws do seem to grow quicker for some reason - perhaps they just don't maintain them as well when they are getting on a bit. It's the dew claws you really have to look out for in oldies - they can grow round and cut into the pad quite quickly :eek:
In a situation like that it's probabl best to keep an eye on them, and like you say, take the tips off so that they don't get stuck in the carpet etc. After all, most older cats live a fairly sedate life, and aren't as likely to be climbing up trees, jumping up 6ft fences, or doing the wall of death round the garden, whereas this is all in a days work for a youngster

tanith

Thats just why they appear to grow quickly because they don't get worn down with use which is why I have been clipping her claws for the last 3years..

donnac2558

I do my two once a month. Quick no problems and only takes about a minute each. I used to use human nail clippers then bought special nail scissors from the pet shop only cost a few pound.

Februarycat

tanith wrote: »

I clip my old cat Jade every few weeks.. she's 21 now and they can't retract their claws as they age so it does sound like stilettos on the wooden floors and she catches them in the sofa as she climbs/hauls herself up.. so I clip them with ordinary nail clippers she doesn't mind a bit now and just sits on my lap while I clip away..
The first time I did it I found one nail that was digging into her pad she must of been so uncomfortable but wasn't limping or biting so I didn't realise till I went to clip it.. I had to very carefully clip the point and then pull the piece out that had pierced her pad with tweezers I had no idea they were that bad. I felt sooooooooooo bad for her..

My cat is 20 and I have the same problem with her claws they curl round into her pads, so we have to go to the vets about twice a year now to get them clipped, I can do the back ones myself when she is asleep but the front ones she will not let me. She needs her's doing now so must make an appt but she hates going.

tanith

Februarycat wrote: »

My cat is 20 and I have the same problem with her claws they curl round into her pads, so we have to go to the vets about twice a year now to get them clipped, I can do the back ones myself when she is asleep but the front ones she will not let me. She needs her's doing now so must make an appt but she hates going.

I was quite nervous the first few times I did it but she gets so stressed out if I have to put her in a cat box to go to the vets I decided to persevere . I wrapped her back legs in an old towel to stop her scratching me while I did the front ones but now she is used to it and lets me do them all easily. Just out of interest how much does the vet charge? maybe I should hire myself out..:rotfl:

3v3

I do my two cats with a pair of human nail clippers (did buy a pet one, but that broke after a short time and I wasn't prepared to pay the sill amount when human ones do the job!)

I was very fortunate because the breeder I bought them from showed me how to give a basic health check and that included nail cutting. She used a pair of sewing scissors! The trick is to cut the nails where they curl (which did happen to 'rest' nicely on the breeders scissors). That is how I do them with the nail clippers, clip where the nail 'rests' on the clipper.

pinkcandyflossprincess

yes i clip both my cats claws , my half persian has a right set on him if i dont. normally my daughter holds the cats and i clip..its quite easy just push on the pads and the nail pops out so you can see where to clip. It gets rid of the sharp points..well for a bit, i think my cats have super growing nails as when i check again they are always perfectly pointed talons again:eek:
Its a lot harder doing the birds claws as it makes me nervous..if you clipped wrong they can bleed to death:eek:

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

pinkcandyflossprincess wrote: »

Its a lot harder doing the birds claws as it makes me nervous..if you clipped wrong they can bleed to death:eek:

Whereas, if you clip a cat's claws wrong, you're the one more likely to have the wounds.....:D