Save the Claws 101...

[Jeni]

Progress report time:

So we haven't gotten to the back nails yet but I do have a question. It almost seems like Aniyah is learning when TO and when NOT to use her claws. Is this possible?

For instance, she used to climb my legs, claws all the way out, whenever she wanted up on the counter or bed. Well now, she doesn't climb but stands on her hind legs with her front paws on my leg to let me know if she wants up - no claws out.

Another example - She's super playful first thing in the morning and often "attacks" my hands to get me to wake up. Well she had ahold of my hand and forearm and was kicking my arm with her back feet but yet again, NO CLAWS!

So do they learn not to use them all the time??? Seems like it but I thought I'd check

 

[jungle boy]

Maliik!!? Scratching post??!! Self-trimmed nails??! He uses everything in the house but the scratching posts. Such a brat. He has big feet and nails to match. And his nails are long and curved and needle sharp. Luckily he is very gentle and sweet and keeps them sheathed when playing with us or the other cats. My other 2 will chew the tips down on their nails but I've never seen Maliik do that. His nails don't go clickity clack on the floor like the other 2 do if I let their nails get too long.

Just took these pics a minute ago. Big Foot Freddy Krueger Cat I couldn't squeeze his toes enough to get the whole nail out because he started getting insulted at my audacity.

Deborah, either you have tiny hands or that kitty has REALLY big paws!!

 

[WitchyWoman]

Deborah, either you have tiny hands or that kitty has REALLY big paws!!

He has REALLY big paws. He's just a huge chunk of spotted love

 

[Patti]

So do they learn not to use them all the time??? Seems like it but I thought I'd check

Cats can definitely learn when it's inappropriate to use claws, but I can't say that they all learn all of the time...

 

[mhardy12]

Progress report time:

So we haven't gotten to the back nails yet but I do have a question. It almost seems like Aniyah is learning when TO and when NOT to use her claws. Is this possible?

For instance, she used to climb my legs, claws all the way out, whenever she wanted up on the counter or bed. Well now, she doesn't climb but stands on her hind legs with her front paws on my leg to let me know if she wants up - no claws out.

Another example - She's super playful first thing in the morning and often "attacks" my hands to get me to wake up. Well she had ahold of my hand and forearm and was kicking my arm with her back feet but yet again, NO CLAWS!

So do they learn not to use them all the time??? Seems like it but I thought I'd check

With my Taz when he turned 3 years old it's like a switch went off in his head and he suddenly "Got it". He has amazing claw control now and doesn't tear me up near as much as he used to and he also listens to my "No" and "Lay Down" where before he'd look at me like huh? Today laying in bed waking up I was rubbing his belly and face and he wrapped all four paws around my arms and did the rabbit punch thing with his hind legs, but no claws were out.

I definitely think they learn.

 

[adamcrssmn]

Our adult SVs are amazing with their "claw control"! Karma, our f2 female, is the one that amazes me the most considering she is, hands down, the "wild" one of our little pride... She'll jump 6+ feet in the air for a piece of chicken in my hand. Grab my hand and pull it down without even a tiny scratch... This is a good thing because I am the ONLY person who seems capable of trimming her nails, including my wife, who's been a certified vet tech for ten years!!! Our 2 f3 kittens are pretty good about getting their nails "did", thank god... Tardis has not learned "claw control" IF chicken is involved (he's good the rest of the time). I swear, he gets a whiff and every "domestic" gene gets pushed out of the way and the "savage lil' Serval" comes out... A good hard play and some food prior to "manlicure" time help a TON!!!

You can actually see her (Karma) yank my arm down... Our children (7, 8 + 10) play this game with her too. She's actually, substantially, even more gentle with them!!!

 

[Per Lausund]

Maliik!!? Scratching post??!! Self-trimmed nails??! He uses everything in the house but the scratching posts. Such a brat. He has big feet and nails to match. And his nails are long and curved and needle sharp. Luckily he is very gentle and sweet and keeps them sheathed when playing with us or the other cats. My other 2 will chew the tips down on their nails but I've never seen Maliik do that. His nails don't go clickity clack on the floor like the other 2 do if I let their nails get too long.

Just took these pics a minute ago. Big Foot Freddy Krueger Cat I couldn't squeeze his toes enough to get the whole nail out because he started getting insulted at my audacity.

Look normal enough for an SV, all ours have VERY LARGE and SHARP claws and almost never use them. They get trimmed, though, when we remember. The Bengals are always kept trimmed, they tend to remind us (OUCH).

 

[Jeni]

Cats can definitely learn when it's inappropriate to use claws, but I can't say that they all learn all of the time...

I think she knows I'm bragging about her...Left paw got trimmed over the weekend....Right paw, haha "Fat chance!" she said

But yes, I certainly DO believe she's "getting it". That goes for the not using her claws so much as well as listening when I say no. Of course she still has selective hearing on more occasions than not

 

[Jeni]

Got the right paw trimmed......a week later. Better late than never though because she attempted to climb up my leg WHILE I HAD SHORTS ON!!!!!!!!!!!! It's all good now though

 

[AundreaLea]

[quote="Jeni, post: 25552, member: 642 So, toes 11 - 20 will have to wait for the next calm moment!

[/quote]

Toes 11 - 18. Cats only have 4 toes on each back paw. Took me over 50 years to learn that one. Even after tirmming the toes for a while.

I play with the cats paws while they are asleep, gently pressing their claws out starting while they are kittens. Then the ones who don't let me trim their claws while awake, I canget them trim while their sleeping. Of course it make take more then one nap!