Trim cats nails or not?

Hi, this will probably sound a little silly to experienced cat parents but do I need to trim my cats nails or do I just leave them?
I'm quite new to cat parenting as I've always had dogs up until I took in my oldest cat cocoa in to my home a year ago so I'm still learning a lot! My cats constantly use their scratching posts we have aroun the house and I've never notice their nails are too long or anything so I've never trimmed them?

That's a good question.

I personally got my boy into the habit of grooming nails since 2 weeks, so it was easy.  Even though we had scratcher's he sill managed to take out 4 of our plush dining room chairs.  And with his rough play, it was necessary, but he loved his "beauty regiment". lol

My girl is heavy and it's necessary or else they bend back and stick into her pads.  She hates it and it takes both my hubby and me to clip them, but now she's getting used to it, and it takes about a minute, I finally have it down to a science.

BUT if you don't notice the cat being effected by nails, and they are able to keep the length down by using scratcher's should you still trim them. HMMMM - I personally would say yes.  It's a good habit to get into but if the cat is older and not used to it, clipping may be a challenge.

It can be tricky if the cat is resistant, and most of all you don't want to harm the kitty in any way, and trimming nails can turn into a horrific experience for both the kitty and you.

I'm sorry- I realize I was no help whatsoever.

I feel confident that a more experienced member will chime in with a better answer.

My younger boy I trim his nails.  He is my former feral, oddly enough.  He loves for me to play with his toes anyway, so I just clip-clip! the sharp tips off when I notice them getting long.

My older guy I take to the vet most of the time.  He is an angel for them, purrs, never even pulls his foot back....but he throws a tantrum like a toddler if I try it at home.  And he likes his toes played with too!

Thanks for those answers! They were helpful! I do check their nails but they always seem the same length and I find them broken off sometimes on te scratching posts. Think I'm going to consider getting them used to trimming incase anything pops up in the future!

I never have.  Even my inside cats are good about using their approved scratching posts to trim their nails themselves.

BUT

Sometimes when they get old they can't do it themselves as arthritis limits their mobility.  One old gal's claws grew very thick, another had just the nails on one paw grow very fast.  Then I have to do it for them and there is one right now with only mobility problems who needs help trimming her nails and she's not used to me doing it.  So I guess in the long run it is good to get them used to having them trimmed.  Part of the problem for me is mine, until recently, have always been inside/outside cats and I want their nails left natural so they can climb trees.

Piano Cat said:

 
I never have.  Even my inside cats are good about using their approved scratching posts to trim their nails themselves.

BUT

Sometimes when they get old they can't do it themselves as arthritis limits their mobility.  One old gal's claws grew very thick, another had just the nails on one paw grow very fast.  Then I have to do it for them and there is one right now with only mobility problems who needs help trimming her nails and she's not used to me doing it.  So I guess in the long run it is good to get them used to having them trimmed.  Part of the problem for me is mine, until recently, have always been inside/outside cats and I want their nails left natural so they can climb trees.

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I didn't even think to ask if the cats had access to the outdoor.

My experience is with indoor only.

Something to keep in mind.  If done right, it could turn into a great bonding moment between you and cats.

I clip my cats' nails every few weeks or so. They have plenty of things to scratch but their nails still get long and very sharp. Sharp claws on bare Human skin = big ouch

My vet told me it wasn't really necessary in most cases. Which is good, because I doubt either of mine would allow it

When my younger cat was a young kitten, he didn't really have the hang of retracting and extending his claws appropriately, and I trimmed his claws then. As he got older, he figured it out, and I stopped trimming because it wasn't necessary. He knows to scratch his posts and not the furniture and loves to climb.

I have a friend with a cat who is the biggest darling but loves to make biscuits all day... on your face. My friend trims his cat's claws. The act is harmless and adorable but would be terribly painful if he had pointy claws. That cat also isn't very fond of climbing so doesn't seem to miss them.

I'd say there's no straight yes or no answer; it just depends on if you have a situation. I'd probably say if you get a kitten it's a good idea to get them used to trimming so that you can without a fuss if you later have a reason to. If you decide you don't need to you can always just stop, like I did.

I have to trim my cats' nails, because even though they have an abundance of scratchers and posts they use (constantly it seems one is going at it on a scratching post), their nails grow very long and start to curve to their toe pads, especially on their dewclaws.  It seems the scratching posts and cardboard scratchers just make them sharp and pointy (and pulls off the sheaths) but doesn't wear down the length at all.  They just get longer and longer if I don't trim them back.  I use a pair of human toenail clippers, that is what my vet uses as well.

Wurp, as he is growing older, also has a problem with thickening nails and he doesn't retract them as far as he used to.  My cue now to either attempt to trim them or take him and get them trimmed is when I hear the "click click" as he walks across the hardwood floor. 

I tried both, trimming and not trimming, and the results are:

1) If the claws are trimmed really short (which is how kitty initially came to me from the shelter) he becomes the clumsiest kitty in the world. Even jumping on the armrest of the couch becomes a challenge... Kitty tree becomes a health hazard for the kitty.

2) Letting the claws grow out made kitty very confident about climbing his cat tree BUT he started scratching the couch. I also get shredded when he is too excited or simply runs or jumps on top of me, ouch!

So I decided to trim just the really sharp needle-like part of his claws, like 1 millimeter, so he doesn't become 'disabled' but won't accidentally hurt me. 

KiraTheCat said:

 
I tried both, trimming and not trimming, and the results are:

1) If the claws are trimmed really short (which is how kitty initially came to me from the shelter) he becomes the clumsiest kitty in the world. Even jumping on the armrest of the couch becomes a challenge... Kitty tree becomes a health hazard for the kitty.

2) Letting the claws grow out made kitty very confident about climbing his cat tree BUT he started scratching the couch. I also get shredded when he is too excited or simply runs or jumps on top of me, ouch!

So I decided to trim just the really sharp needle-like part of his claws, like 1 millimeter, so he doesn't become 'disabled' but won't accidentally hurt me. 

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I just nip the sharp tips off too, I stop where it starts to widen and go towards the quick.  But when I take Wurp to the vet to have his done, they go a bit farther back, but I haven't noticed any clumsiness.  I'll watch after the next time he goes and see if I can tell a difference.  He may be too and I just haven't noticed.

hbunny said:

 
I just nip the sharp tips off too, I stop where it starts to widen and go towards the quick.  But when I take Wurp to the vet to have his done, they go a bit farther back, but I haven't noticed any clumsiness.  I'll watch after the next time he goes and see if I can tell a difference.  He may be too and I just haven't noticed.

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It could be different for each cat, I suppose. Otherwise it would have been mentioned more often since lots of people trim their cats' nails  

I didn't think much at first, just thought I got a clumsy cat, ha-ha   But we decided to let his nails grow out and what a difference! he is like a little monkey on that cat tree of his. Runs floor to top perch just using the vertical part! And doesn't miss a single mousy toy anymore. He became REALLY good at snatching them mid air. And NO MORE falling of the couch while trying to jump on it, which was kinda embarrassing... I could be imagining it but he seems happier having back his claws... 

Pls, let me know if you spot any difference with Wurp and the length of his claws, I'm really curios )))

@KiraTheCat   it's about time for me to take him in and get them clipped, I'll let you know how he does!