Do I need to clip my cat's back claws???

brand leesnider

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 17, 2013
Messages
56
Purraise
10
Do I need to clip my cat's back claws? My cat is front declawed so that i am asking the question.
 

sparklexo

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
137
Purraise
13
Usually not.. I clip my cat's front claws but not her back ones. (Partly cause she won't let me! lol). One of my cats growing up was front declawed (not by us, she was a rescue) and we never clipped her back claws or did anything to them. I think usually unless they grow too long or curl inwards its ok to leave them.
 

cat dad

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Messages
117
Purraise
24
I clip my boys back claws, it makes for less dangerous bunny kicks when they play fight.

Also, I have hardwood and if I don't it sounds like they are tap dancing.
 

catspaw66

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
May 5, 2012
Messages
5,508
Purraise
1,616
Location
Waldron, Arkansas
I clip some of the ladies' back claws. Silly likes to lay on my chest and drive the back ones in like pitons.  A cat that has been declawed on the front is more likely to use the back ones to bunny-kick, to cause more damage. Just instinct.  So, yes, I would probably trim the back ones at least a little bit. Just to get the sharp tips off.
 

cassiopea

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 30, 2013
Messages
4,809
Purraise
5,702
Location
Ontario, Canada
No, I personally don't clip the back ones, just the fronts. The backs are slightly shorter and more dull already and remain so, so I don't see the need.

Overall it can vary between cats, so it is up to you on knowing what would be the most practical/comfortable.
 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

brand leesnider

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 17, 2013
Messages
56
Purraise
10
Well he fights me  when I try to clip them. He back claws sometimes catches me when I let him go after i him. The back claws leaves read marks on my arms.
 

mservant

The Mouse servant
Veteran
Joined
Jul 8, 2013
Messages
18,064
Purraise
3,451
Location
The Mouse Pad, UK
I clip my boys back claws, it makes for less dangerous bunny kicks when they play fight.

Also, I have hardwood and if I don't it sounds like they are tap dancing.
No experience of cats who have been declawed as live in UK but I regularly clip both front and back. The back claws don't tend to grow sharp quite so quickly but they do grow. The back ones will be the ones your cat uses if he's bunny kicking or tries to hold on to anything when running about or climbing on to something i.e. your leg or your back! You could get hurt even though your cat has not intended any harm.  If not clipped and your cat isn't outdoors the claws could also grow so long they curl in and dig in to the paw pads so you need to be able to look at them regularly anyway.  

IF you can get your cat used to coming up and sitting on you, or lying just beside you, and letting you touch and hold the paws first then the process is a lot easier - with some cats you can clip better if you don't try to hold and restrict them other than the paw you are clipping. Get the cat used to this before you try to introduce the clipping. It's great if you have a really trusting and relaxed cat that will lay on its back over your lap as the back paws are really easy to handle gently and clip from that position.  The most important trick is to try and keep your cat calm and relaxed, and talk gently to it so the process isn't so scary (for both of you). If they are struggling it is so much harder to do it accurately and not clip the quick which would be really painful for your cat. You need a really good secure but not tight hold on the cat's body using your body and upper arm so your hands are still free. I' sure there are video clips showing this technique - but if you can I'd go for the relaxed approach first!
 
Top