Nail Trimming?

Hi guys!

So, we got a new puppy, and are slowly and carefully socializing him and Evie. However, I feel safer with her having her nails long and razor sharp- just in case something should happen, she can defend herself better.

My husband, however, thinks it's healthier to trim them.

What do you guys think? Is it unhealthy to not trim her nails? Is it inhumane to let her be "velcro kitty" on the blankets and stuff?

Should we or shouldn't we trim those razors??

Thanks in advance for any opinions!

I would go ahead and trim the claws. You don't want her to injure the puppy either by fighting or unintentionally while playing. Just make sure she has plenty of high places where she can get away from the dog if she needs to.

I think its far better to trim nails. Believe me, they can still scratch and defend themselves even with cut nails. And would you rather your kitty get stuck in curtains and risk tearing their nails out or twisting their legs and hurting themselves?

Trim once a week as needed. One of my Russian Blue kittens almost lost his sight when his brother got too rough when playing. After that I started nipping nails on 5-6 week old kittens!

I agree... trimming would be a much safer decision for both animals. The cat could accidentally scratch the puppy without realizing it, and i'm sure the cat would still be able to defend itself (or run away and hide) if needed.

Good luck!

Yes, trim Evie's claws. She can still smack the puppy hard enough to get her point (bad pun) across. Just as important, Evie should have place to get away from the puppy if he starts pestering her too much. Maybe, a baby gate to keep the puppy in one part of the house and then she could escape over the gate if she needed to.

Thanks for your input, guys! I just always assumed that since in nature they didn't get their nails trimmed it was better... Of course that's why I asked!

Unfortunately, baby gates wouldn't help- he is already 45 pounds and jumps like kangaroo! We have other things for her though.

Thanks again! Guess we will be trimming some nails tonight!

Thanks for your input, guys! I just always assumed that since in nature they didn't get their nails trimmed it was better... Of course that's why I asked!

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In nature they are constantly climbing over all kinds of different terrain and are using their nails on trees and different surfaces to keep them from ingrowing or anything. However... our cats are no longer in nature, so we have to take care of their nails.

Trim them. Your cat doesn't need to be able to shred your puppy anyways.

I also suggest you start working with your puppy's paws so that you can trim his nails if needed and so that he will be used to people handling his paws. Your vet will appreciate this.

Originally Posted by Plebayo

In nature they are constantly climbing over all kinds of different terrain and are using their nails on trees and different surfaces to keep them from ingrowing or anything. However... our cats are no longer in nature, so we have to take care of their nails.

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Very good point- one I should have realized! Thanks!

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Trim them. Your cat doesn't need to be able to shred your puppy anyways.

I also suggest you start working with your puppy's paws so that you can trim his nails if needed and so that he will be used to people handling his paws. Your vet will appreciate this.

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Sometimes I think he needs a good shredding!! Totally just kidding. And yeah, I definitely always start working with making my pets let me touch all parts of them- paws included. He's already a very good boy!

Thank you all!

I finally summoned up enough courage to trim my newly adopted kitties' claws...I was so afraid that they would struggle. I've been medicating them every single day I've known them and it's a daily fight to burrito them.

And though they squirmed a bit at first for one and at the end for the other...I was able to clip the front paws for both of them. Wow. What a pleasant surprise! There wasn't any struggling at all. I was tempted to do their back claws but didn't want to test their patience. Hopefully they won't figure this one out and start fighting when we clip again.

And no treats were involved. They just don't dig the treats.

I highly recommend getting both your cat and dog used to having their nails trimmed. The earlier you start the more tolerant they are going to be of it in the future. Although cats do vary in their tolerance... It will cut down on wear and tear on you, your belongings and your other pet.

And god forbid if you ever need to have their feet looked at by a Vet (infected and torn claws are alll too common -I used to work a Practice as a recept) they will be a much better behaved. The costs add up if you have a pet that has to be sedated to be poked at.

Get a good, easy to use, sharp pair of pet nail trimmers. You may need 2 sizes one for dog and one for kitty. Don't go after them with your embroidery shears!

I think it's good to trim the nails too. We trim Hades also but we're looking into getting him soft paws they are caps for cats nails you glue them on and they grow out and you just trim and then replace the caps. They come in different colors and on the site they said the glue is safe for pets. They're like $18 for so many pairs.

I've been trimming Kitty's nails since he was just a couple months old, and by now he's pretty used to it. He doesn't love it, and squirms a bit, but he lets me do it. I think he understands that even though it kind of annoys him, it's part of how I care for him. He's so good about it that I can just use my own nail clippers (I know, I know....some people will say this is not safe, but I swear that it is with him).

I seem to be the only who doesn't trim her cats claws!!! Mine does go outside though and I see him on his back legs scratching down the bark of a tree! He loves it. I have never had any problems with his claws and I would also say that if you let your cat outside, make sure that they can defend themselves too, ie, don't trim them down to nothing!

I just want to add before anyone comments - We live in a remote area, no cars or roads nearby, we don't have any significant predators of cats, no rabies or contracted any other outside nasty. He is in fact a very healthy and active cat! So I am happy for him to go outside when I am at home althugh he is always in over night and to be honest, he always comes back home on time