do a lot of people trim there cats claws?:confused:

i do it every few weeks so they don't rip up the furniture and carpets as much. Also, as mine are young cats they sometimes scratch too hard when playing so it prevents injuries.

Don't agree with de-clawing though... that seems cruel.

ok thanx , i just always wondered, in all the years iv had/looked after cats iv never once trimed there nails my oldest is 14 and has never had them trimed, and nither has any of the other cats i have/had. i have a few cat trees that all the cats use except for the foster kitten i have here at the moment , but were getting there , he likes the ends of the sofa. i think the only damage done to the house has been the corners of the walls on the wallpaper from some of them thinking there spidercat lol.
i did have a foster once who i must admit i did ask the vet about triming his nails , because he did do a lot of damage fighting with the other cats(he hated other cats) but because he was a going out cat they said they dont do indoor/outdoor cats. but that was the only one i asked about because he would have ended up doing some real damage.

I clip nails because I get "kitty hugs" where they wrap their paws around me hand/arm/leg. Shorter nails mean less scratches on me. :rolleyes: I clip nails on Damita because she is usually medicated. Ophelia will attack me or others once in awhile.

I trim Jaffa and Mosi's cos if I don't it really hurts when they scratch me! (accidentally during play or when they're climbing on me). They also get stuck on things like the sofa throw if they get too long and sharp which causes a bit of distress when they can't free themselves.

with my gang i do it for a few reasons-1 if they have a little fight i don't have to worry about serious wounds. 2 they don't get caught in the bedding/rug/cat tree(and then they risk ripping a claw out-happened once when i fell and casey got up super fast he slpit it in two and was a mess.

yea i get the kitty hugs:lol3: , i think the only time it really hurts is when they decide to jump on your back and slip:rolleyes:.
i know most of my cats would allow me to trim there nails as they love there toes being played with. but nearly all my cats do go outside only for about 10 mins at a time, and always come when called except for 2 ex strays, no chance of keeping them inside all day lol. i would have ww3. any way thanks for your views.

So I don't hear her claws on the floor when she walks, sounds too much like a dog.

So their claws don't hit the ground when they walk (can lead to all sorts of problems because they will walk differently), so when they play fight or rabbit kick each other they don't cut each other, so their nails don't grow into their pads (I adopted one or two like that)...etc

For several reasons (I trim nails starting at 3 weeks old if I have that young of kittens).

First, to cut down on tearing up carpet, furniture, drapes, etc.

Second, cause I really HATE to be kneaded by sharp little nails on my skin!

And most important - to prevent accidents when play fighting/wrestling with other cats or dogs. I had a 2 month old Russian Blue kitten nearly lose his eyesight from too rough playing with a litter mate! His eye was stitched for several weeks - vet told me another millimeter and he would have been blind in that eye!

So I started nipping the sharp tip of 3 week old kittens so that would not happen again.

PArtly so that I Dont get too many scratches, but partly cos mine are older cats who dont use scratch posts and one doesn't go out much, so hers are checked - she has very thick claws. I forgot with one oldie and hers grew into her pads so I am paranoid now. And with the fosters, they are indoor only so need to keep an eye on them.

thanks for all the great answers. i think i have been lucky with the cats iv had in my care in the past and presant , but now im wondering if i should start cliping for the medical side of things.

I trim them cos with indoor cats especially, they end up snagging everything, getting their claws stuck in fabric when they are playing so i have to free them! Also when they jump on me and cling on....ouch!! Also my bengal kneads with claws out a little, so they need to be short or i can't let him pad. Plus the bengal has a scar in his eyelid where his litter mate scratched him. he had bad infection in it but luckily it has cleared up finally.

I never used to when i had outdoor cats when i was younger, but have done since everything being indoor only.

Also my naughty lilac boy doesn't like vets................:lol3:

The most important reason I can think of to clip a cats claws is so they don't grow under and into the pads of their paws. I've seen this happen and it can be very problematic for them, not to mention painful. I think this is especially true of strictly indoor cats. They are not constantly climbing trees and filing their nails down on hard surfaces as wild cats do.

We do it to avoid accidental scratches when Sonic sleeps with us, to prevent their claws becoming ingrowing and to prevent any serious injuries when they playfight together :nod:

Actually we had a few totally outdoors barn cats, and I would occasionally trim their nails. Outside cats don't always wear down claws - you should see how long some of them get. Long enough to warrent clipping just so they don't grow into the pad!

Neither of my cats have ever deliberately scratched me because they are both big softies and very good about being handled, but I've had some really nasty accidental wounds from them.

I have 2 long permanent scars on my right foot from where Sonic ran over my foot at full speed and his back foot left nasty deep scratches (I couldn't get my trainers on for 2 days it was so painful!), I hadn't clipped their claws as often as I normally do because I lost the clippers, if they had been done recently it wouldn't have happened.

And Radar left my arm looking like a pincushion just from kneading on it when he was getting his morning cuddles from me, loads of tiny bleeding scratches, and he actually left a claw-sheath embedded in my skin like a thorn! They also both get caught in the net curtains which they like to bat at, if their claws are long.

So I clip them both about once a week, Radar kneads a lot and also puts his paws up on my knee when he wants something, both of which are painful if his claws are sharp, and Sonic walks over our faces and arms when we are in bed and leaves scratches if his are sharp, so I see it as a necessity. Neither of them go outside so they don't get worn down any other way.

I am very lucky in that both of mine are very gentle, Radar sits completely still for claw trims, just letting out the occasional pitiful mew to let me know he's not keen on the situation, and Sonic wriggles a bit but submits when he realises that it will go quicker if he sits still.

You didn't lose the clippers - the cats hid them ;)

Ummm can I add a question to this? What kind of clippers do you use and how far back do you actually go? My friend said regular nail clippers are ok, and go to where the nail starts to curve. Is this correct. I had a horrible night last night with Cali AKA LUCIFER the Satanic cat, and Trotter playing nascar over top my my head. I have scratches everywhere. It looks like I just took a razor blade over my forehead!!! YIKES! I want to start trimming their nails. I know its going to impossible to do with Herc but he almost NEVER has his claws out. Actually I dont think he has ever used his claws for anything except that last time he got a bath and clawed Dave.

I've only ever had the girls claws clipped once. They have a turbo scratcher that helps pull their old claw sheaths off, and i often find a couple on the stairs where they've been chasing each other and obviously getting their claws in for a good grip :blush:

I will clip mine occasionally if they're on my lap and the clippers are within reach :rolleyes: they're pretty good about it, i can just about get them all done before they realize what I'm doing :lol3: but I don't make a habit of it. Mine also have turbo scratchers and an alpine scratcher that do a good job. I always check to make sure there is no ingrowing though :nod:

oh, and i use regular human clippers, but you have to turn them to the side, and i recommend just clipping off the tip, that way you don't risk going to low and cutting into the quick

i clip mine for the previousely stated reasons... & also because Java & Cable both wear soft claws, & if you don't clip first the claw will pierce right thru the soft claw. i've done it since they were kittens, & they're used to it... they don't like it, but they're used to it. Pixel & Chip are both front declawed, altho Pixel has regrown one of hers. i check it, but it didn't fully regrow, so it hasn't ever needed clipping. i use a claw clipper (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441777735&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033731&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1179420393325&itemNo=7&Ntt=clipper&In=Cat&previousText=clipper&N=2023690) i got at the pet store. i used to use regular nail clippers, but the claw clipper works better, IMO.

I use the scissors type (but use regular small nail clippers on kittens). Just cut back till you see the red vein - take a look at where it is in strong light, so you have an idea. Basically you take of the sharpest part where its curved.

IMO I don't see how some of you can STAND those really long sharp nails that are curved. They catch on too many things!

All other cats Ive had were really good about not scratching anything. It was only really noticable during kneadings or playing. But my mom didnt even know you could trim cats nails. None of us were willing to risk a limb either...Tomorrow Ive got a friend coming over who trims her kittens nails so shes going to help me do the babies. Im not even going to try Hercules because he is a very even tempered weenie and never used his claws for anything, even play fighting. And I know that if I try to do his its going to be WW3 in my house. But I will be watching more closely to make sure his nails arent getting too long. I dont want his growing into his pads...Do you guys trim the back ones too? I think with having a dog I want to leave just a bit more defense for them when Bruno comes sniffing...

Yep - all 4 feet get trimmed on all cats in the house :) The back just don't need it as often (usually every other time) - I check and clip as needed once a week.

I'm just paranoid of another accident like the eye one with my RB kittens!

I got sick of bleeding every time she ran across me feet with the poop-crazies or decided to play... also it keeps her from ripping the window screens to bits. I've done it since she was two and a half months old.

We clip about every 10 days for two reasons, our safety and theirs. :)

Bijou likes to knead my face and neck while he has his little "suckle" before bedtime and if I didn't clip nails, can you just imagine what I'd look like!

He also got his nails caught in something one time and ended up having 2 of them bleeding which I'm assuming was caused by his efforts to free himself. I've also seen him get them caught in the screen door.

I use human clippers but I turn them and cut from the side which seems to make a cleaner cut. I basically just clip the shart point before the red line.

If you start them young, they get used to it and although I don't think they ever learn to like it, they tolerate it and always get a treat afterwards. :nod:

I clip my cats because they are indoors so don't get access to trees, concrete, rocks etc, which would naturally wear their claws down. Also because I would look like Freddy Kruger when Portia pads on me at night :rolleyes: and because they get caught in the couch, and blankets and the carpet.

They don't like it, but I don't do it that often so they don't mind too much

Because DH and I get walked and ran over in bed, by both cats. It's not uncommon for Tomas to run over my head.:rolleyes:
I think that answers the question well enough.;)

I clip for the obvious reason of not getting scratched as much. Also, when our kitties are playing and I haven't clipped them in awhile I notice puffs of fur floating around the room.....Sometimes Enzo will be playing by himself and next thing you know he has pulled a little patch of fur off his belly by rolling around and his back feet hitting his belly. His belly looks a bit sad right now, you can see his pink belly skin!

I clip my boys' front claws, but not their back paws. Maybe I'll take a look at their back claws because of some of the things in this thread. I clip them every week or two weeks, and that works for all of us (they don't particularly like it). I also use the clipped that are linked above. They work pretty well.

I clip their claws so they don't damage the furniture, me (accidentally, of course), or themselves when they are play-fighting.

If you are thinking about clipping your cat's nails, I'd wear something long-sleeved you don't care about just in case until they get used to it.

If the claws are light colored, then it's easier to see the quick, and just clip before that. I don't have any experience with dark colored ones. I'm sure you know how it feels when you cut too close to the quick, your kitty ain't gonna like it either! :lol3:

Tricia

Unlike dogs, cats rarely have dark colored nails :) Even the black cats have white nails. Maybe cause they are retractable they don't need to "match" the fur.

I really hate dogs with dark colored nails - you can't see the vein!

do a lot of people trim there cats claws?:confused:

B/c they get sharp. I also have dogs and they play - I feel there is a less of a chance for claws to get caught on carpets and dog faces if they are clipped. She doesn't mind it at all. I use a clipper made for cats

I really hate dogs with dark colored nails - you can't see the vein!

Use a dremel tool - a grinder. That way you are less likely to cut the quick and the nails can get rounded and very nice.

Use a dremel tool - a grinder. That way you are less likely to cut the quick and the nails can get rounded and very nice.




Oh my gosh what a great idea!!!!! I am going to have to try that! Do they hate the noise and the feeling of it though???

This site will give you detailed instructions. Remember, each dog is different.
http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/index.html
I do mine on a grooming table once a week, it goes fast & the nails look great.

I do Sweeties nails every 2 wks. However Juno is a different story. She doesn't mind having her nails clipped, its catching her thats the problem. I hold the cats and my daughter clips. Sweetie won't use any scratching post and has ruined a wicker hamper. Clipping her does help. I'm thinking about hot pink soft paws for her. I never clip the back paws and you need to make sure you clip all five of the front nails. Some ppl. forget about the dew claw.

Besides those listed, my main reason is that when they knead my arm Jordan & Isaac get really into it and it hurts and leaves marks when I don't trim their claws regularly. I don't know if anyone said this but when you start when they are young it's not a big deal when they are adults. And I should add that Jordan likes to try to rip the vets face off so the vets are slightly less intimidated if his claws are clipped.

We do for many of the reasons already listed, to avoid injury to themselves[ie; getting stuck in something] other pets, us LOL..

We trim everyones nails here from cats to dogs, to rabbits..;)

I clip my cats nails because if I don't, they accidentally scratch me much more easily. Also, they get their nails caught on the carpet when they get too long.