kitten doesn't sharpen claws.

Hello everyone, was just wondering if anyone has a cat that doesn't sharpen its claws? My 7 month old female pepe never seems to use her scratching posts. She runs around all the time, and is playful, and sometimes attacks the side of our couch, but i don't see her sharpening her claws. He brother does. They are indoor cats. Her claws are getting caught in the carpet now, so i have to clip them. Is this unusual?

Your situation is almost exactly like mine.  My Chula almost never scratches anything, while her brother Paul loves every scratching post he sees.  It's possible that Pepe just doesn't like the kind of post you have so you might consider trying other kinds.  There's a wide variety of surfaces and positions available so it might take awhile to find one she likes.  I'm not sure it's a problem, though, if she's not engaging in any destructive scratching.  

To answer your question, yes, you will have to clip her claws.  However, it's also usually necessary to clip claws on cats who do use scratching posts.   

Thankyou. I have clipped her claws before. It's just hard to keep her still. Even the vet had trouble! They have two big cat trees with sisal posts. I just thought it seemed strange that she doesn't bother doing it. Still ruined plenty of furniture though from running over it!

Even if she does use the scratching posts, it won't "sharpen" her claws. That only happens with outside cats who claw on trees. You will have to keep on clipping her claws from time to time. I can always tell when Mingo's claws need clipping when they feel like needles.

kitty chew said:

Thankyou. I have clipped her claws before. It's just hard to keep her still. Even the vet had trouble! They have two big cat trees with sisal posts. I just thought it seemed strange that she doesn't bother doing it. Still ruined plenty of furniture though from running over it!

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Remember - with claw clipping there's no rule that says you have to do them all at once Why not try one paw a day when they need doing....or even just a claw or two at a time when she's sleepy and snuggling with you. If you get in the habit of doing each paw and claw in a specific order, it shouldn't be too hard to keep track of how far you've got It's pretty normal for kittens to be squirmy :catguy:

Getting her used to having her paws (and even her claws) handled and stroked should set things up for a much easier future of claw clipping too. Keep a favourite treat just for claw handling/clipping, and be sure to reward every time you do it. She'll soon learn that holding still is well worth her while [article="29669"][/article][article="29683"][/article]

kitty chew said:

Thankyou. I have clipped her claws before. It's just hard to keep her still. Even the vet had trouble! They have two big cat trees with sisal posts. I just thought it seemed strange that she doesn't bother doing it. Still ruined plenty of furniture though from running over it!

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  Have found the fastest way is to make sure you have good sharp Cat nail clippers, sit on floor or bed legs straight out, flip the kitten on it's back on your lap lift your legs up, kitten is facing you. Offer toy as you distract but still clip away, kitten is nestled in grove on your lap very secure wearing dangly necklace to distract works to. Work as fast as possible less stress, hassle they won't even know what you're doing  start small a couple of nails each time until all complete. You're just trimming off sharp end. Everyone has their own method whatever works  

Thanks for the tips.