Trimming claws?

[Breheart]

Ah I think there is a good place to draw the line Depends on if it is done right, and the reasons that make it necessary or not. Depends on the cat, the person, the environment. I believe I am "doing it right then" hehe. I try to take off as little as possible, I worry about getting anywhere near the quick, it would kill me to cause my baby any pain like that.

 

[Michelle Anderson]

One of my main reasons to clip her nails is because when she's playing; she'll sometime get a claw stuck...and I have to physically help her "unstick" it. I just get a bad visual of her ripping one out. My oldest daughter had a guinea pig years ago, and it got one of it's nails caught on the cage somehow; and I had to take the poor thing to the vet to have it's paw stitched up....I had never seen so much blood from just a small animal! It was quite disgusting, and also a nice vet bill....that visual, and that day always sticks in my head when the cats get their claws stuck on something. So for me, I feel it necessary to clip them; at least every now and then...when I notice that they are getting "stuck".

 

[barbja]

What is the purpose of trimming a cat's nails? They take care of them theirselves pretty well don't they? I'm pretty sensitive to the whole issue with declawing a cat, and if the reasons for trimming nails is the same, to protect furniture or what not then my response is ... If you can't train a cat not to claw furniture then ... DON'T have a cat. Doesn't get any more simple than that ... If there is another reason that is actually for the benefit of the cat please share.

Oh gosh Rob, I guess you've never had a cat that has decided that the best thing ever is to come up and knead on your lap a little before curling up on it. Razor claws on skin, through sweater, jeans, blanket, whatever is not a very pleasant experience! I clip our cat's front claws, but not the rear. Makes for a happy home for all of us (they don't like it when I flinch when they come to cuddle).

 

[melissam87]

Yeah, well the world isn't that black & white. If you have to train a cat not to claw furniture then don't have a cat. Most of us prefer them to use litter boxes too rather than free wheeling it all over the house. Sometimes compromises have to be made in order for two different species to co-exist in the same abode.

My vet prefers my cats' claws be clipped prior to a visit because they are large cats with large claws who are sometimes difficult to handle and she doesn't want to get injured.

Sometimes claws need clipped if they keep getting caught in carpeting or other fabric to prevent injury to the cat.

I keep my cats claws clipped because they sometimes play very hard with each other and have injured their eyes or caused abscesses from clawing each other so I do it for their health.

Amen! I play with my cats often. Many times I will hold a feather in my hand and it's much better for my hands if they are trimmed. Also I agree with Deborah about protecting them from each other. I have the vet office cut Nikita's nails. I've tried to do it alone but she does these crocodile rolls and escapes my grasp. It's not worth the battle. I started now with my kitten so hopefully she will be accustomed to it eventually.
Has anybody ever used this device for restraining their cats:

http://www.petkaboodle.com/products...eaning-Bath-Bathing-Washing-Bag-Restraint.htm

I can't imagine even getting it ON Nikita to use it in the first place. LOL

 

[Kronos]

Have you tried tough love? Kitty doesn't get his way when he struggles and flails? Kronos was that way too as a kitten. Holding him firmly and gently until he settled worked well, and at that time I was only able to trim about 1, maybe 2 claws at a time. Then lavishing with praise and treats for a job well done, only after sitting still and accepting what was being done to him.

Now I can do all 4 feet at once and he waits patiently for his treat at the end

 

[Spartacus]

What brands of clippers do any of you use to trim their nails? Has anyone tried the Pedi Paws trimmer which is supposed to round and smooth the nails some? Spartacus will finally be home with us next week, 12 weeks old, and we want to make sure to start training him on things like nail trimming, leash walking, bathing, teeth cleanings, and whatever else we can.

Speaking of which, do you use tooth paste to brush their teeth, or is there some sort of pet paste or something?

 

[HappyS]

This may not be helpful just yet but i purchased the following items to use on my Savannahs after MUCH research and when we get the kitties and will review them later:

I actually got the safari nail trimmer for multi pets and it's tiny! But super well reviewed. I'll let you know how that goes.

And toothbrush and paste I got CET cat toothbrush and sample poultry paste. Rather not buy a whole tube and have them detest it.

 

[Spartacus]

thanks so much....man now I know why it takes a baby 9 months before it gets here...there is so much preperation to be done.

 

[So Cal Mary]

The basic reason for trimming claws is the same as for trimming a horse's hoof. In the wild they are naturally worn down by rocks and rough terrain, but domesticated animals don't get that; so we have to help them out. I only trim to take the edge off my boy; something that nature would do for him. He never offers a claw; but should he need to, I know he has them! As for training them not to claw furniture, my Tobey is very intelligent and by giving him his space to do what comes natural, he typically avoids my space. When he does 'slip', we remove him to his tree or post, and encourage that behavior. They learn VERY quickly about good vs bad; but they still are a cat

 

[admin]

The basic reason for trimming claws is the same as for trimming a horse's hoof. In the wild they are naturally worn down by rocks and rough terrain, but domesticated animals don't get that; so we have to help them out. I only trim to take the edge off my boy; something that nature would do for him. He never offers a claw; but should he need to, I know he has them! As for training them not to claw furniture, my Tobey is very intelligent and by giving him his space to do what comes natural, he typically avoids my space. When he does 'slip', we remove him to his tree or post, and encourage that behavior. They learn VERY quickly about good vs bad; but they still are a cat

This is so true - thanks for posting!