Clipping back claws

ncarpi75 · Feb 4, 2006

Hello all!
I adopted two adult cats on 1/2/06. Both cats have their front paws declawed.

The vet clipped their back claws three weeks ago, but I am not sure how frequently they need to clipped.... I read somewhere that it should be done every month....is that accurate?
Thanks!!

goldenkitty45 · Feb 4, 2006

I clip nails as needed - usually check them every week or two. The back grows slower then the front but they can do more damage with the back as they use them more for fighting (kicking).

ncarpi75 · Feb 4, 2006

thanks!!!

missymotus · Feb 4, 2006

I don't clip the back claws, they tend to chew them down to a good length themselves.
If you're not comfortable clipping yourself it's very inexpensive to get a groomer or vet to do it.

ncarpi75 · Feb 4, 2006

I am going to check them every so often and if I think they need to be clipped, I'll take them to the vet!

Thanks!!

mlckeysue · Feb 4, 2006

i can usually tell by feel when the boys need their claws trimmed. i have to wrap mine up in a blanket except for the one paw i'm clipping at a time. they dont care for it much, but we get through it just fine!

goldenkitty45 · Feb 5, 2006

I can see taking your cat once to a vet for nail clipping. But watch how they do it. You'll save a lot of money by doing it yourself. Its not that hard to do.

I took our rabbit once to get nails trimmed - cost me $10. They did it just the same as a cat - so I did them myself

snosrap5 · Feb 5, 2006

I haven't had to clip the back claws ever. They seem to chew them down themselves. It's actually quite funny to watch

!!

ncarpi75 · Feb 5, 2006

Layla was chewing on her claws last night so I am hopeful!! I would like to be able to avoid the clipping process if possible!

shambelle · Feb 6, 2006

PJ is a terror when it comes to claw clipping, so we rarely do it - the vet does it for us, or we let her chew them down herself. PJ's grow very fast - its been 3 weeks since they were clipped and they're gigantic again. Teddy's are much slower - maybe every 6-8 weeks is all he needs.

We can clip Teddy's nails, but he has to be mostly asleep. That works really well - I can get almost all of his nails done if he's in the middle of a good nap!

Both of our cats were front declawed when we adopted them, so we thought they would be sensitive to having their back claws clipped; turns out one is and one isn't.

pui hang · Feb 6, 2006

I need to clip my girls' claws. I would prefer to get my vet do it but they don't like to travel in the car so I'm going to try and do it with my husband's help. Can anyone recommend some clippers to me? I had a look in Pets At Home this evening - they had 2 different types in stock - one looked like a pair of scissors and the other looked like a huge pair of pliers. Apparently, there is something in between called a Guillotine something but there was no stock so I don't know what they look like. I'm basically looking for something that is easy to use.

Also, how much should I be clipping off? They're only kittens and I'm conscious that I don't want to clip off too much in case I damage the quick or hurt them

sar · Feb 6, 2006

Originally Posted by Pui Hang

I need to clip my girls' claws. I would prefer to get my vet do it but they don't like to travel in the car so I'm going to try and do it with my husband's help. Can anyone recommend some clippers to me? I had a look in Pets At Home this evening - they had 2 different types in stock - one looked like a pair of scissors and the other looked like a huge pair of pliers. Apparently, there is something in between called a Guillotine something but there was no stock so I don't know what they look like. I'm basically looking for something that is easy to use.

Also, how much should I be clipping off? They're only kittens and I'm conscious that I don't want to clip off too much in case I damage the quick or hurt them

I use the scissory type ones - they're easier to handle and stay on your fingers whilst comforting a wriggly kitty!

Basically, as a rule of thumb, I would say just cut the points off their claws - not lower than the pink area! If you are still concerned, there is styptic powder that you can keep in that will stop the blood if you do manage to snip the quick - but I'm sure you won't!

It's great that you're getting your kitties used to it earlier, as it will get them used to it!

pui hang · Feb 7, 2006

Originally Posted by Sar

It's great that you're getting your kitties used to it earlier, as it will get them used to it!

Yes, that's what we're hoping. We used to struggle doing Mittens because she wasn't used to it and it always took 2 of us - one to hold her and the other to clip. Bella should be relatively easy to do but Cinders is going to be interesting because she doesn't like to be held!

Now, am I supposed to do the back claws as well or not? We didn't on Mittens but whenever she went in for a fructosamine test or for any other reason, we would ask our vet to clip her claws and he used to do her back ones as well.

sar · Feb 7, 2006

Originally Posted by Pui Hang

Yes, that's what we're hoping. We used to struggle doing Mittens because she wasn't used to it and it always took 2 of us - one to hold her and the other to clip. Bella should be relatively easy to do but Cinders is going to be interesting because she doesn't like to be held!

Now, am I supposed to do the back claws as well or not? We didn't on Mittens but whenever she went in for a fructosamine test or for any other reason, we would ask our vet to clip her claws and he used to do her back ones as well.

Can you hold Cinders as though she was a baby? My three all love being held this way, so it makes clipping claws easier, as I have a good grip on them and they're close to me! You'll just have to try and see which ways they will tolerate!

I don't clip my kitties back claws on a regular basis - generally when I notice them - but it's entirely up to you! I would get them used to the front claw clipping first though!

pui hang · Feb 7, 2006

Originally Posted by Sar

Can you hold Cinders as though she was a baby?

No chance! She struggles as soon as her feet leave solid ground!

I swear she is a kitten that suffers from vertigo

Still, between my husband and I, I'm sure we'll find a way to make it a pleasant experience (like bribing them with treats after!

)

sar · Feb 7, 2006

Originally Posted by Pui Hang

No chance! She struggles as soon as her feet leave solid ground!

I swear she is a kitten that suffers from vertigo

Still, between my husband and I, I'm sure we'll find a way to make it a pleasant experience (like bribing them with treats after!

)

Poor Cinders!

Yes, my three definitely expect a treat or two after their manicure!!

yosemite · Feb 7, 2006

We hold the cat between our legs with their back to us and our arm around their body. We use human nail clippers but turn the clippers on their side, i.e., we don't clip from top to bottom as it's easier to see the quick (pink part) and just clip the end of the nail.

Yes we do both front and back but find the back ones don't need clipping as often as the front. We do them about every 2 weeks or thereabouts.

ncarpi75 · Feb 7, 2006

I want thank everyone for the words of wisdom!

Their back claws still do not appear to need to be clipped and it has been about 4 weeks now. But, I will continue to monitor!

ncarpi75 · Feb 20, 2006

Okay, it is getting to the point where I think their back claws need to be clipped. I made the decision to clip them myself so I am off to Petco to purchase clippers. Wish me luck!! I am nervous, but this is one of my mommy responsibilities!!

sar · Feb 20, 2006

Good luck!

Just remember, it's better to take less off than too much! You can always clip again!

I'm sure you'll do brilliantly!!

Let us know how it goes!

Clipping back claws

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