claws - front AND back?

Abi lets me clip her front claws while she naps. should I be clipping the back ones too? And do y'all prefer the scissor type or the guillotine type for kittens. Will I need a stronger one when she gets older? (makes sense)

I only clip the front claws because those are the ones they tend to do damage with. Every once in awhile, the back ones are clipped because hubby complains about them digging the claws in when they launch off his lap.

I prefer the scissor type because I can control them better. I don't think I can get the right angle with the guillotine style. The claws don't get any tougher as they get older. I use the same ones on Much who is 12 as I do on Carly and Lucy who are around 3. And these are the same ones that I used on Lucy as a Kitten.

I do recommend replacing them every few years because they do dull over time.

All nails on all feet should be checked and clipped as needed. The back ones grow more slowly then the front so you wouldn't need to cut as often - tho you should check them.

You cat needs to have his feet handled with or without nail clipping. Most people don't bother till you clip and that's why a lot of cats hate it.

I use regular finger nail clippers on small kittens and then the scissor type for older kittens/adults. If your cat is a large one, you might need the more heavy duty ones, but the scissor type should cut most cats nails without a problem.

We clip both front and back about every 2 weeks. If you leave the back ones too long it can be a little uncomfortable for the cat while walking. The back ones shouldnt need doing as much as the front, but we always think while we're there we'll do them. We use the scissor type ones

I do all the claws. Bob is so heavy that he scratches the tables whan he jumps down, and I like to keep the back ones trimmed because they're always wrestling and could injure each other by accident.

I clip both front and back, but the back doesn't need to be clipped as often. Cats will chew on their back nails, thus keeping them trimmed to a certain degree (but maybe not as short as you'd like.)

I clip the back claws if I feel they need it. The back claws can do serious damage to your skin since they are not as sharp as the front claws, so I try not to let them get too long.

Also the back actually can do more damage in fighting (even play fighting). The front claws are used for catching and holding prey, but the back are the fighting claws (they are stronger and thicker). If you've ever seen two cats fight, they are in a ball and kick and slash with those back feet.

Do a play fight with your cat and you'll see what I'm talking about. Go for the belly and the cat will wrap the front paws around your arm and kick hard with the back ones.

So trim ALL nails

I am new to the kitten/cat world.. and you all helped me less than a month ago with my new 4 month old.. and i appreciate all the good adivce you all gave. now i have a question.
Missy will not let me touch her paws without a fight.. so i was wondering.. she loves her scratching post. would it work to put a fine grade sandpaper on a box. so she could scratch on that, would that hurt her. it would trim her claws i think. Thanks in advance for your answers.

You can try, but I don't think the cat will use the sandpaper. What you need to do is everytime you play with her, handle her feet and toes. That way she will get used to you touching her feet and won't think that claws will be clipped EVERY time you touch her feet.

I think that's why people have so much trouble in clipping - the only time a person touches the feet is when the nail clippers come out. Try just playing with her feet in the meantime; but you'll have to cut nails.