are some cats nails extra sharp because they dont file them?

chausiefan

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two of my cats have normal cat nails but one cats nails are like real actual needles if she sits on my lap and "kneeds" it will go right trough my jeans.

I guess i have learned to live with it & do not mind but i was just wondering is it because she doesnt file her nails as much as the other cats? I have a million scratching posts but im guessing she does not use them as often or use them as hard which is why hers are so much more sharper and stronger? Even as a kitten i could never play with her because her nails were just abnormally sharp.

I never experienced this with a kitten/cat because every cat or kitten i had i was able to play with them and their nails were never an issue even tho i never clipped their nails
 

kara_leigh

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I have no clue. Nora uses her scratching pad ALL the time, but she gets needle sharp nails every so often. Her's are weird, though, b/c only 3 of the 5 nails on each of her front paws ever get sharp, the other two never do.
 

strange_wings

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Actually it would be the other way around. By scratching more or more thoroughly they remove the older outer sheath. Whenever that is removed the nails will feel sharper because they'll be thinner at the ends.

In her case it may simply be because her claws grow a little faster. Everyone that has multiple cats and trims claws has surely noticed that each cats nails grow a little differently including how fast they grow. Just like some people have faster growing nails!


Just trim her claws more often so you don't have to worry about her accidentally scratching you. And, by the way, claw trimming isn't some horrible chore that some make it out to be. With patiences any cat can get used to it so it's never too late to start.
 
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chausiefan

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she never let me trim them as a kitten (she was a barn kitten calico rescue and was older) so i gave up and never bothered. It wasnt such a big deal i just made sure i used string type toys where she could never get me. NOw thats shes older she doesnt like to play much.

She trys hard to be as gentle as possible but still u can feel the sharpness. I Guess it was just something that i was always curious about. COmparing her to my other cats.

I even wondered if it was just a female cat thing because all my other cats were males? LOL
 

angelwing

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You can always try and get someone to help you trim her nails or take her to a groomer. I've always kept my kitties nails very short (I cut them once a week) for my benefit as well as their own. Sometimes Paige plays really rough with Gabriel and I still find little scratches on his head.
 

strange_wings

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Start playing with and rubbing her paws and toes. Get her used to you extending her claws. From there trim only one or two claws at a time when she's relaxed/nearly asleep. She'll get used to it, but it will take time.
 

tallulah

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I have three cats and only one of my cats nails grows really quickly, even when she came as a kitten her nails were like needles, and she is the one who scratches the post and tatts at the carpet the most
 

korina

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Originally Posted by chausiefan

Even as a kitten i could never play with her because her nails were just abnormally sharp.

I never experienced this with a kitten/cat because every cat or kitten i had i was able to play with them and their nails were never an issue even tho i never clipped their nails
2 Answers to your question:

1. Yes your cat can have genetically shorter nails, I have a white fluffy mink bengal.
I cut her nails out of the simple fact they get razer sharp in about a month, if not sooner.
The points of her nails seem thinner.

She has TWO floor to ceiling towers she goes up and down every day and scratches, as well as countless carpets and posts.

2. If your cat is a softee, than cutting his nails are EASY. If he is a fatty and responds to "food stimuli" open that can of wet, grab him, clip his nails, then feed to wipe away the trauma.

I suggest (but will likely get corrected) the best tool is a human style clipper, I find them safe and farmiliar, just remember if the nail is over sheathed (there is like cavity under the nail) then cut sideways as over grown/sheathed nail can crack and split.

I hate this store, but the brand of clipper Walmart carries is great for both humans and cats, buy your kitty a new one as she can't tell you it's not sharp enough.

If your cat struggles, or just wont have it, have a friend secure the kitty (all this when napping is the best time) while you cut.

Dont forget the kitties have thumbs, and they are the hardest to clip (and shortest to grow)

3. Also DONOT buy that hideous Dremel Tool disguised as an electric nail trimmer they sell on tv.
My cat is so trained I can shave her without much fuss (and bathe her), but she would hate me for life if I tried to grind her nails.

Good luck!
 

goldenkitty45

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In my experience they don't "file" or wear down nails using a scratching posts - they do it more for stretching and reaching and scent marking with their paw pads. The nails have to be clipped short and dull about once a week.

I don't know where people get the idea that the nails are worn down from a post or tree - none of my cats ever wore their nails down like that.
 

korina

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

In my experience they don't "file" or wear down nails using a scratching posts - they do it more for stretching and reaching and scent marking with their paw pads. The nails have to be clipped short and dull about once a week.

I don't know where people get the idea that the nails are worn down from a post or tree - none of my cats ever wore their nails down like that.
Oh lord no, the scratch posts don FILE them, they SHARPEN THEM.

You need to cut your cats nails at least once a month for safety, if they are cool with it, snip off tips every week, follow up with treat or wet food or a little tuna, and the cat will get used to it.
 

Willowy

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I've noticed smaller cats have sharper claws. My mom has a teeny 6-pound female, and her claws are like razors. Her son, OTOH, who is a walrus at 17 pounds (I don't know where she put him!), has pretty dull claws. Even when they're sharp, they aren't as sharp as hers, LOL.
 
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chausiefan

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yes i noticed it in female cats mostly!
 

miamaria

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Hmm, yeah I have noticed variation in the sharpness of my cats' nails too. The little cat has way sharper talons than the big boy does. Maybe little cats just have thinner nails so they seem sharper? I am one of those people that almost never cuts their cats' nails, because they've never used them on a person with malice.
It just occurred to me though.. maybe it would be good to cut them so they can't hurt each other in play fights. Is that why it's suggested to cut them once a month?
 

trouts mom

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Trouts nails are like needles. If I leave them for 2 or 3 weeks, they will go right through my jeans and it HURTS!!!
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by MiaMaria

I am one of those people that almost never cuts their cats' nails, because they've never used them on a person with malice.

It just occurred to me though.. maybe it would be good to cut them so they can't hurt each other in play fights. Is that why it's suggested to cut them once a month?
The reason most of us trim claws isn't because our cats are trying to intentionally hurt us, but because accidents do happen. Like a cat running across your foot and scratching you, or jumping off your lap and accidentally digging claws in. Other reasons are that some of us have had cats get their claws stuck in things - furniture, curtains, carpet, etc. They can break off their claws or even break a toe in a struggle to get free.

Generally it's suggested that you trim claws every two to three weeks, depending on how fast your cats claws grow. A month, IMO, is a little too long to wait.
 
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chausiefan

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so most of us agree its more so in small female cats rather then males eh mmaybe we are on to something lol
 

miamaria

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

The reason most of us trim claws isn't because our cats are trying to intentionally hurt us, but because accidents do happen. Like a cat running across your foot and scratching you, or jumping off your lap and accidentally digging claws in. Other reasons are that some of us have had cats get their claws stuck in things - furniture, curtains, carpet, etc. They can break off their claws or even break a toe in a struggle to get free.

Generally it's suggested that you trim claws every two to three weeks, depending on how fast your cats claws grow. A month, IMO, is a little too long to wait.
Well, that makes sense. They have definitely scratched me by accident!! Thank you for the advice and explanation.. I will start trimming them so they can't hurt anyone or themselves.
 

emmylou

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Once a week is too often, in my opinion; nails generally don't grow that fast, and it would be harder not to cut the quick. I trim my cat's front claws once every three or four weeks, and that's enough.
 
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