I've never trimmed a kitty's nails before so I've a few questions about it!
At what age can I start to trim his nails?
Is it easy to do or should I get the vet to do it?
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I've never trimmed a kitty's nails before so I've a few questions about it!
At what age can I start to trim his nails?
Is it easy to do or should I get the vet to do it?
I have never trimmed a cats nails before but have to do my dogs all the time. If the same applies to cats as dogs in theory it's easy but in reality no its not! If you cut too far you will make it bleed and once it bleeds it is hard to stop. If the nail is white you can see the pink bit inside the nail that you have to avoid but if it's black you should see a little hook at the end of the nail where it gets narrow. I would just use human nail clippers for a cat and just take off the little hook at the end making sure you don't go to far (it's a good idea to have some stop bleed handy which you can buy from pet shops). Sometimes with my dogs I file them as it is less frightening but it's a job I always hate doing. I think it's something you need to get used to though as I would have thought taking to the vet would be expensive and you may need to go quite regularly. You will get more confident the more you do it (or so I've been told:huh:) Good luck. It may be harder with a cat cos not sure if they will sit still like my dogs do.
To be honest Im not looking forward doing this. When I told about my in-laws about trimming the cat's claws, they were really surprised! They had many cats and they said that they never ever trimmed their nails. But I guess this is because they've always been outdoor cats.
Ive seen the 'How to' on the internet, but still doesnt make me feel confident in doing it. :001_unsure:
Once a month I clip the nails of our cats and rabbits with this type of nail scissors:
http://images.kapaza.com/photos/16900000/16928986.jpg
It's much easier to use something like this than a regular nail clipper for humans, cause it fits better around the nail and you have a better grip on the nail while clipping it. You have more chance on little accidents with regular nail clippers. ;)
The most important thing is to stay calm and not stress about it. It's really not so difficult to do, but you will make it more difficult by stressing about it (your cat will sense your stress and might think that something really bad is going to happen, so it will get stressed as well).
Apart from all this, I guess Karena's advice is quite complete. :)
Some great advice on here. We have to trim Lucius' claws once a fortnight it seems at the moment! We find it works better if we do it together, i'll cuddle Lucius and hold his paw out, pressing gently on the top of his paw, over a claw, gently pushing it out, and Tom clips it off.
As Karol said, stay calm and keep kitty calm - that is key that they are niced and relaxed, before you start clipping take a good look at the nail and see the blood vessle is so you don't get it. As Karena said, just nip the end off.
Like all things they get used to it!
I clip my indoor cats claws about once a month. My cat that goes outdoors doesn't seem to need it although I check them regularly. Harley has had it doen so many times now he isn't bothered. As per previous posts it's not too scary once you done it the first time!!
I put the cat on my lap, to my cheast. Put the tail between your knees, with one hand I take the claw press out the nail and with the other I clip only a little bit of the nail. Don't take too much of, when they fall they will use their nails to get a hold and if they're too short they will not be able to do so. Just a little is enough. When the cat is still young be firm but kind. If he doesn't want it, just do one nail and the next time another. It is important to let them know it's not scary. If you don't start when they're small it's hard to learn when they're grown up. Same goes for brushing teeth.
I have always cut my cats claws - usually monthly but I found that Sarah (MC) needs hers done about every 2 weeks at the moment. I have wooden sleepers in the cat enclosure outside and it seems good for making nice sharp claws.
I did stop doing one of my old cats when she got arthritis in her shoulders and found her claws caught in the carpet a lot.
I found that doing them from kittens and doing them often ensures they get used to it and they all seemed to accept it.
I put them on my lap upside down with their backs agains my chest and hold the foot and gently squeeze the claw out. I only take the tip off and have never had a problem ( I could just be lucky) and I use nails clippers only because I am used to using them having done so for about 20 years.
There is nothing worse that a furry rattly material mouse being chased in the bed and being attacked by sharp claws into my back!!!!
The Cornell Feline Health Center have this movie tutorial for trimming your cat's claws.Follow the link*RoyQuote:
Originally Posted by IrishKitty
Play Entire Video | Partners in Animal Health
we've never cut our cats claws but they've always been allowed outside. I might have to look into it.
Would one of those new claw cutters work... almost like a nail file? Has anyone tried them....
Scrap; My parents outdoor cat has never had it's nail trimmed either. I'm planning to bring my cat to the vets to get his first trim done there. I can watch how it's done close up!Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrapdragon
Not sure what new claw cutters you mean. Have you got a link to them?
Roy Snell: Excellent video. Thanks for posting :)
I have always been lucky with my babies as the breeder has always sat them on her lap at least a couple of times & just snipped a very small amount off so they get used to being held & the noise from a very early age,like everyone else has said sit them with their backs against your chest & away you go.I always find by sitting them like that & tickling their tummy & whisper sweet nothings{as you do}into their ears at any chance you have gets them used to being in that position so they are then more relaxed when you need to do the nails,I also handle the feet & toes {same even with dogs}as much as I can,you can't beat playing this little piggie went to market with an animal but again it gets them used to having that part of the anatomy handled so they don't bother when you hold them there for nail clipping. I have eight coonies {two belong to daughter luckily}& they range from 3.5kgs to over 10kg & they all sit like angels for claw clipping I am pleased to say.
I work at a vets & sweat more over holding animals to have claws clipped than anything else ......
When we picked up Simba his breeder showed me how to cut his nails - she had her husband hold him while she snipped them off with nail clippers. She made it look very easy and Simba was very good but I have yet to try myself. I do my dogs nails regularly but they are easy as I just tell them to sit and be still. I think if you are at all unsure or nervous it is probably best to take him to the vet Dee. I had a neighbour once that took her dog regularly to the vet to have his claws clipped cos he was so bad.
I liked the video Roy - very helpful.
Exactly my point Karena about trying to make sure all feet are handled well when they are babies,dogs or cats,I am always amazed at owners who struggle think the easy way out is to take them to the vets,it might be for the owners but not the veterinary staff,we have no magic wand to wave,muzzles on dogs,wrestling with three spare legs while trying to hold the fourth out for the vet,little dogs wriggle & big ones you end up straddling & if you are really lucky you end up in a heap on the floor,ok now we are allowed to wear trousers but not so good when it was dresses,with cats you have teeth as well as those unclipped talons to contend with,I have to say though most cats are better behaved than dogs...
Yes I do agree go along to the vets to be shown how to do it but if kitten is going to be an indoor cat you will be running along to the vets a lot in his lifetime,I clip our cats claws every month & that way the leather sofa keeps purrfect !
Just found this link that I found quite useful, going to give it a go with human nail clippers to see how I get on, they suggest you do it when pus is quiet. - Hmmm not sure about that one, Harry will soon wake up when he sees something new to play with he he. Anyway will let you know how I get on, that's if I got any fingers left to type a post !
Clipping a Cat's Claws (Toenails)
We clip our four MC's front nails every 2-4 weeks (unless we get lazy). We have tried to be good about doing the boys since they play roughly and one is a kitten still.
I actually prefer human nail clippers to the cat clippers, but we do use the bigger ones (sometimes called toenail clippers), as the smaller ones can be too small. We usually do this as a team with my wife holding a cat on her lap while I hold a foot and clip. You just press the foot in the center of the ped and the nails come out. The problem with MCs, though, is the amount of hair on the feet. This can make it pretty difficult to find the nails even when you have them sticking out. It does work best when the cats are calm. I also sometimes do a few nails by myself when they are dozing. Mixed success with this. Obviously do not cut into the pink part of the nail!
The main reasons we clip nails are: (1) so you can play with them without getting scratched, (2) so they don't get caught on cat tree carpeting, (3) so they are less likely to injure each other when playing.
Don't forget to do the dew claws, as we find these can become a problem with cat tree carpeting plus they can still scratch you during play. We do not bother with the rear nails, as we don't find a need to have them clipped.
Some of the cats are more cooperative about this than the others, but none are as bad as some dogs that I have seen. Since you need to do this at least about once a month, taking them to the vet is not too realistic.
I'm sorry I don't have al ink... I've seen them on tv or at the shop. I will have to see what I can find.
Well surprisingly enough I had very little trouble clipping Harry's nails. As NCarver said in his post we used toenail clippers and yes the problem was more about finding them with all the hair. I've never needed to do this before because we have always had outdoor cats so I was quite surprised as to how soft their claws actually are.
I actually managed to cut one paw of nails today before he lost patience! He was very good for a little while. I used large nail clippers - it seemed quite easy to snip off the little hook bit. Hopefully I will be able to do the other paw later - just have to remember which one I've done:LOL:
Hiya, Im just wondering why we should clip our Cats claws? Loads of people and sites talk about it as if it's the done thing but no one says why. Please enlighten me as ours are 6 months and it's not even crossed my mind, also the Vet has never suggested it and we were only there for the snip last week. Thanks in advance.
If cats go outside they wear their nails down naturally but if you keep your cat indoors they will keep growing. As a lot of cats go outside they often don't need their nails cutting - maybe your vet just assumed you would be. If you don't clip them the claw can start to dig into the soft pad on the paw as it curls round on itself. It is very necessary to clip it's claws if you are intending on keeping him indoors. Also if your cat is like Simba and like to climb up your leg to see what you are doing - it doesn't hurt as much:LOL:
Nails clipped save the furniture,clothes etc. I never done it to my little domestic moggies as they were out & about climbing etc but these ones lead a different lifestyle so just helps make it easier on everything.We have got one lovely tear in the leather sofa where I had forgotten to do one of the cats claws once so it hasn't happened again,all claws done once a month,a vet would never suggest cutting the nails it is just an individual personal thing.
For cats that are shown it has to be done,don't know that it makes that much difference if they decide to stick them into you though,as yet have been lucky enough not to find out....
Maybe we're just lucky, our cats have a cat shaped door mat in our bedroom that they use, and a 6 foot 5" scratch post down stairs that they love to climb, and they scratch them both like mad and there are often nails (shells like casings) from old nails left behind. Im not convinced it's going to be necassary for us to do but if im proven wrong then I guess i'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it. Im not apposed to cutting them but we'll see. They wont be going outside.
Thank you though.
Like I said in my post: The main reasons we clip nails are: (1) so you can play with them without getting scratched, (2) so they don't get caught on cat tree carpeting, (3) so they are less likely to injure each other when playing.Quote:
Im just wondering why we should clip our Cats claws?
As other people have pointed out, it also helps make it less likely they can damage furniture.
I like to really play with our guys, as they love chasing hands, grabbing arms, etc. However, if their claws are not clipped, you will end up being quite scratched up. If they are clipped, I almost never get hurt at all. Of course you may not want to play with yours like this.
We also find that as their front claw become very long they curve quite a bit, and this can cause them to have real problems getting caught on the carpeting on many cat trees and scratching posts (other than sisal). Trimming the nails really helps with this.
I'll buy some tomorrow and see what's what and the play fighting is great, i love my shredded hands, I wear my scratches with pride! Plus it's the bite that you want to watch and Im not about to pull there teeth! LOL!
Thank you.
I was wondering the same thing, but realised if cats didn't go outside they wouldn't get the chance to wear their claws down.
our moggie loves to dig his claws in and he scratches things he shouldn't... lucky not the leather lounge, but the cover on the pool table.
I think I will handle Gryfns paws, then if i have to do it I won't have the problems. He will be going outside into a cat enclosure, and I'm going to try to get him some large branches to scratch. There is one in there that we used when we had birds but I don't think its strong enough at the top to hold gryfn's weight.
I usually clip the nails on my coon once or twice a month...that way it doesn't hurt so much when we are playing:LOL:
I wait until he he is sleeping to cut his nails, it is so much easier that way...he hardly notice it :winkwink:
It has been great reading all the replies on such a simple topic as nail clipping,why we do it etc. One point to make though is if they are cats that are allowed to roam free they do need to keep their talons as nature intended because they are used as means of defence & also,bless,for catching those little items of prey & as much as I cherish keeping my furniture in one piece as long as possible never would I have backed the nasty declawing of them {is this still legal in some countries}at the end of the day we are just taking off that little hook that is not needed for our very pampered pets,even dogs have that trimmed off of their nails if they don't get roadwork. Wether nails are clipped or not it pays to keep an eye on the older cat,as their claws don't retract so much they do become very
susceptible to ingrown claws,very often have a cat in at work where owners think they have broken their leg & one claw out of pad later we have a miricle cure.
Now what was my first job this Sunday morning,Ah I know,where are those clippers.....
Yes of course your absolutely right, an outdoor cat will almost always look after their own claws, the point I think we have all made is that indoor cats are a different kettle of fish so to speak, although we all have scratch posts, they are by no way enough to do the same job as being outside. Infact, when I came to cut Harry's nails a couple of them had already split obviously from using the scratch post and as you know on a human can be painful if not looked after. I think it's a necessity with indoor cats for the cats wellbeing and ours. Declawing on the other hand, well that's another topic, I think I could probably say our thoughts on this horrible subject would be the same it makes me mad:pissed: Thanks for everyone's input on this subject ! :smile:Quote:
Originally Posted by jckkerrison