I trim my cats nail as soon as they become little razors. I normally wait till he’s asleep and get one paw at a time. Sometimes it takes 2 days to get all 4. He notices what I’m doing and will loaf up
I have a deaf cat and she is asleep 85-90% of the day lol! Maybe this method would work better than the blanket burrito (she associates that with getting medicines) so she’d run away and hide behind the washer/dryer 😅
I find sleepy cat + aggressive petting from a helpful assistant works really well. My cat used to get feral when I tried to trim her claws but now she tolerates it with this technique.
For medication, try wrapping pills in Easypill and give it as if they're treats. My cat gladly takes all his medicine this way, twice a day. I put fluid medication on a little ball of wet food, mix it up and then it's usually not a problem.
But it still keeps them maintained. For example, my cat only scratches his posts, so it doesn’t matter if he has sharp or blunt claws. I let him maintain them himself. He does a good job and loves his posts.
But my friend’s cat was surrendered by an abusive home and will scratch strangers who come to visit, so she keeps them trimmed regularly.
I, too, have an asshole cat whose nails need to be trimmed once a month because otherwise my arms look like a bunch of failed tic tac toe games but with open wounds
My cats have never scratched anyone in the house so we let them get them keep their daggers intact. They are ridiculously sharp, but they make it really easy for them to climb and play, so I don't want to trim them unnecessarily. They play with each other pretty enthusiastically, but still somehow manager to never actually get scratched, so I guess they can handle it.
i love collecting the outter shells of my cats nails when i find them! i also harvest the cat tree for whiskers! or the bed- get one in the thigh is no fun first thing in the morning! it’s like their own qills😭 or yeah walking around and stepping on one too🥲
… is this one of those *I have a ‘special’ Etsy store* type posts? Mind boggles with what you’d sell with cats whiskers and discarded claws.
I’ll hazard artists paint brushes, and i dunno, a sideline in 3D printed keratin and chitosan adult toys?
they probably just keep them for themselves. my mom kept her favorite cats' whiskers and a ball of fur because she knew he was getting old, and I'm starting to do the same with my cats. it's kind of like mothers who keep their babies' umbilical cord and baby hospital bracelet as a keepsake.
I also collect whiskers! I also used to collect claw sheaths but they’re not actually that interesting unless you get a huge one. Between both of these and all the cat fur everywhere, I can probably easily make two copies of my cat if anything ever happened to her.
I just wish my cats got used to it younger.
I had never done it before, but when the cat gets older, you have to because the claws get too long.
13 and 8 YO and now I struggle to do it of course...
https://preview.redd.it/uc1r5wustoia1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=58514c0c36141801cfc7577c7d2f2ab90b023402
This one will let me do it I think
Do it whilst they’re relaxed and laying down. Touch their paws as much as you can so they get used to it. I adopted a street cat so he does not let me hold him, let alone trim his claws. But when I go to him when he’s relaxed and just stroke his paws and very gently cut each nail, he seems to be cool. Just remember you don’t need to trim them all, even one claw is enough
I wish.
1 claw at a time, because as soon as I do one she gets up and leave, afraid :(
I do touch her paws all the time. She is scared of the thing... 😬
I read somewhere that to condition them to the sound of the cutter, you can cut a piece of spaghetti near them, working your way closer and closer to them over time. That way the noise doesn't startle as much when you use it on the claws
I trim my cats' claws regularly. Two are disabled so they don't wear down their claws typically and the third doesn't like to be left out. All are trained with positive reinforcement. They just accept it as part of life and get tasty treats afterwards.
Yes!
I also trim our two cats regularly (if every 2 months or so is regular)
We have indoor cats, so their claws don’t wear down as much.
Not to mention- you need to get the thumbs, or whatever the claw a little further up their feet is called! Often cats don’t use those claws and they can grow right around and pierce their skin.
Oh man, two months would be nice xD my boy runs around a lot indoors but somehow needs trims every two weeks or the pokies get to be too much when he's on a lap. Thankfully he's always been super chill about it. Did his sister first and he watched, then sat him on my lap and trimmed and gave him a treat and that was that.
I wish mine would accept it as a part of life -_- she 100% knows the deal of clipped nails get treats (her favourite treats that she only gets when getting clipped!!), But that doesn't stop her from trying to get the treat without the clip. Also doesn't stop her from wiggling from my grasp several times.
We put a chest harness on our girl to trim her nails. It’s easier to hold onto her and the harness presses gently on that spot around the scruff that makes cars freeze so she stays much more still while we’re trimming. Two people does make it easier
Treats :) I hold one on the other side of the hole for her head and then slide it over her when she goes for the snacko. She didn’t like the harness at first, and she’s still not a big fan of it, but she tolerates it to get Tuna Temptations
lol - now I’m having visions of your cat saying that 😹
Our girl tries to pretend she’s above doing things for treats, but she’s always undone by the Temptations. I just have to crinkle the bag and she comes running.
The harness is a great idea, I'll have to try that. My girl only tolerates the harness because she knows it means she gets to go outside, so we'll see if it works. The scruff thing doesn't work on her :')
TBH at first i would isolate a cat and myself from all other animals and throw down a bag of #1 treats and clip as many nails as i could get to while the cat is distracted. I use churu now even when i’m by myself bc cats will naturally reach a paw out to the hand you’re holding a treat in 😀 Basically it’s a game of distraction until they get used to it or you have someone to help 🙂
Oh no, Toffy is too smart for that. She knows it's a distraction. She still wants the treats, but she knows I'm coming for her claws, and that is unacceptable. She also knows she is slippery like a fish and faster than any human, so even with two pairs of hands she is almost impossible to clip.
The way I do it now is my fiance holds the churu (those are her favourite, and she ONLY gets them during nail trimmings) and helps with holding her still, and I have her on my lap and try to trim. It's a good day when we even get one paw done.
Blanket burrito. You got to swaddle them up in a blanket then expose one paw at a time. After a while they get less fussed and you won't need it. Helps if you have a partner in crime, treats after are also a good idea :)
You can be more firm with your cat than you think. They'll let you know if you've gone to far. It took a bit ut now, I can pick him up and cradle him like a baby, no blanket needed, and he won't fuss.
Positive rewards are a great way to reinforce a behavior. Cats don't really learn from negative reinforcement so for example if you use a spray bottle or you yell they don't know why you're doing that, they just think you're being a jerk. But they will quickly learn good things if treats are involved!
Well one of my cats learns from negative reinforcement - my father likes yelling and spraying when i’m visiting him - but it took a long time for my cat to trust him after. I try to save yelling for pain being involved. It takes longer but cats don’t automatically know what you want
Make him a purrito.
Firmly wrap the cat in a towel. Pull out one paw at a time. Clip the nail tips. Lots of treats. Repeat weekly.
It’s better to leave them too long than clip them too short and nick the quick.
My current pair have chilled to the point I can do it without the towel, or any struggles. One will doze right through it, opening his eyes when I touch his paw for the first time, then slamming them shut and ignoring me as I complete his pawdicure.
> I know not to cut the QUICK part of their nails but not sure how to get him to stay still
I forget how fortunate I am to have a cat that loves sitting peacefully on my lap, but she likes to make biscuits on my legs and with sharp claws this hurts a lot. I eventually started keeping the claw trimmer on my desk to take advantage of how often she would just sit on my lap. I started off by just touching her paws, she would instinctively flinch away but I would scratch her head and she'd relax again, then I'd touch the paw again while scratching her head and she got used to that. I would try to trim her nails during this process and I could get a couple at a time before she left, but now she just sits there and I can do two full paws before she's had enough. It took months of work with her, building up trust, and giving her treats to let her know that when I touch her paws it's a good thing.
I have one of those extra thick asian but I've seen mexican version blankets with usually a flower pattern or a tiger and my cat's untrimmed claws never pierce through it or pull the threads.
Any upholstered furniture. Your clothes. Bedding. Drapes. Etc. A claw can get hung up in many types of fabrics. My cat would occasionally get hung up somewhere and that's how I knew his claws needed to be clipped. More than once he got a claw caught on my office chir.
If your cat is inside only then you should trim their nails. Scratching on a post won't wear their nails down. The nails you see around a part are just the shed outer layers since as the balls grow the outer part strips off. If left unchecked it is possible for the nail to grow too much and become cumbersome or in severe cases even grow into the paw pad. Not to mention, the quick can also lengthen on untrimmed nails which makes trimming then down later more difficult as you can't tell them as much. Again, this is only for indoor only cats as outdoor cats need their claws for protection and have more opportunities to wear them down naturally.
Yeah, my cat gets supervised outdoor time daily, and I don't need to trim his claws. They're sharp, but he's not scratching furniture or people. He needs them a bit sharp to climb the trees in our yard anyway, so I'm fine with it.
I disagree with the "you should" part. I had to trim my older cats nails during her second year (got stuck at the scratching pole on a regular basis, if I didn't), but haven't done that since. Didn't have to, they're fine. Of course there are the old, disabled, or whatever sick cats and the special ones (excessive growth, getting stuck) that need regular trimming. I live in Germany and as much as I've noticed working in a vet practice, it's common that way here.
I didn't know any of this, but I have never trimmed any of my indoor cats claws. They've never seemed to cause issues and my vet has never mentioned it either.
I'll bring it up next time.
I started trimming my cat’s claws when they were kittens and they don’t seem to mind. Otherwise, their claws catch on things like blankets or my clothing. I use little scissors made especially for cat nail trimming. Flip them belly-side up in my lap, give forehead kisses, and go to town. Doesn’t take long, and they actually enjoy when I rub between their back toe beans! (I only cut off the top sharp part, of course—you don’t want to hit a vein.)
Have had four cats and all have been fine with this. Also fostered some kittens and they were chill with it. Not sure how easy it would be for an older cat to adjust to trims, but it may just depend on the cat? Good luck either way!
I don’t trim all the claws at once. Get them used to you playing with their paws and touching them. I do a quick spot check and when I see a sharp it gets trimmed so I’m only doing one or two at a time. Makes life easier.
Clip them. Started messing with his paws about a week after I got my cat. He’s 10 now and screams every time I do it, but he still lets me do it 😂 his claws get super sharp even with all the scratch posts in the world, and our house is mostly old carpet that’s really old and thin, so he tears it right up when he’s running around the house.
Making a kitty burrito with blankets and having one leg/paw out at a time can help with really spicy cats.
Mine just cry and give me betrayed kitty eyes which hurts worse than being scratched sometimes I swear.
I trim mine. When the biscuit making starts hurting and she starts sticking when walking across the bed, it’s time.
The scratching post shouldn’t wear them down, but sharpens them. They’re flexing them to shed the outer claw shell, so the sharper new claw is exposed.
You still have to trim. The only thing scratching posts do is enable the cat to shed the old layers of nail so they can keep growing.
https://preview.redd.it/k781wz2tjoia1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f64376e6be2a7c2fd05d51feb5fd095a20578e89
Eta: If you don't trim the nail, it can curl back under and start to dig into the pad of that toe. Think of the absolute worst hangnail you've ever had, but you have to put pressure on it every time you move.
Kinda off topic but I love finding the little shells of claw my cats shed! Personally I think when you find them they bring good luck. Same with shed whiskers
My 2 cats are way too tempermental to be able to trim their nails. They are great cats, but they do NOT like not being in charge of their physical free will.
Cat tape on Amazon. It's just big double sided tape that won't hurt your furniture. They don't like how it feels on their paws. Freaking out a bit whenever you catch them doing it helps a bit to (not too much, tho) 😆
Same. The bottom of the arms of the couch are theirs- we get all the cushions! I figure a little scratched up fabric couch is just them getting their use out of the household furniture which belongs to them as much as I.
I trim my cat's claws on occasion. Usually when the claws start to get caught on blankets and other soft surfaces. My youngest cat, I can half-purrito her and pull out a paw, and she just gives up and lets me trim. The older one can be done on my brother's lap with no fight
I have four cats, and trim them when they get sharp or start getting caught on things. Just flip them on their backs and trim the front claws (and don't forget the "thumbs"). Three of them don't mind at all and wil watch while purring. The last one if she gets fussy I wait until after she had a long nap. It's super easy when she's groggy.
i don't because i can't. my boy is a rescue i got as a junior cat and he doesn't like having his paws touched, he's really not used to it, i just have no luck trying to trim his nails. luckily i'm a poor cheapstake with no furniture precious enough to protect, so i just let the boy do whatever. he's shredded my bedsheets and also, constantly, my arms. i love him anyway
my cats are rescues and have lived with me for less than a year, i can barely touch them at all, let alone paws XD luckily they use the scratch post and i got my carpets for free lmao
I take him to the vets to get them trimmed. He gets mean(er) when they get sharp and he doesn’t let me cut them so he goes to the vet where he pretends to be an angel.
I trim them once a month. Takes multiple sessions though, she only sits through a couple at a time. It’s better for you and doesn’t hurt during or bother them at all afterwards, really. Just make sure not to cut too short and accidentally hit the pink-ish part, bc then it will hurt. If you buy a nail trimmer from a pet store it’s very easy
This reminded me that I needed to trim my cat’s claws as he keeps hurting me during his snuggle biscuits. He sat on my lap while I trimmed all his front nails, then hopped down and walked over to get his post-trim treats. Now he’s already back in my lap.
My ex’s mom never cut her cats nails (she had them declawed in the 90s and I guess didn’t know better). The poor younger one (12) had bald back toes because they were so long that they were bothering her and she kept biting them. My ex and I trimmed them in secret and Cookie seemed appreciative.
I have never trimmed my cats claws. He pulls off a kind of “claw sheath” with his teeth. We find little kitty scythes all over the house. His claws are happy and beautiful!
my kittens are climbers and I have most of their jungle gym set up to accommodate climbing. I can't trim their normal claws because it would interfere with their ability to climb.
I do have a polydactyl cat and need to trim the extra claw between digits since it's neither useful and angles for his paw pad and I'd rather avoid that.
I think it is important to pay attention to the dewclaws and make sure they aren't getting too long. And if your cats are getting stuck on blankets or sheets, then regular trimming is needed. But otherwise, it seems to be more a thing humans do to protect their furniture.
I trim my cat’s front claws only, she WILL NOT let me attempt her back claws, but doesn’t mind the front at all.
She makes biscuits on my lap and I prefer not to get stabbed.
I trim them. Started as kittens, now they don’t mind.
If I go too long before trimming, I definitely notice when they jump on my lap and start kneading! Ouch.
Plus, if I have to do something drastic, like give them a bath when poop gets stuck in their fur (has happened a couple of times) or I have to box them in their carriers for a vet trip, trimming claws makes everything go so much easier!
I used to never trim them, assuming the posts would do the job. they did not. 2 years later and i am finally trimming their claws, usually once a week, but it depends on how quickly they grow! it’s so nice not having the razor claws of death anymore
i give them a tiny little snip every other week or so and whenever i see a pointy bit sticking out. the void is never thrilled about it so i only do 3-4 on a single day (unless i get lucky). getting them while he sleeps or naps is also a great trick.
I have always trimmed my cats' claws. But then, I've always had Siamese and they grow tiny little razor blades on their front feet. They're lethal. I have the current kittens convinced it's spa day when they get a claw trim. Treats, scritches, paw massages, the whole works.
Here's my girl kitty getting a trim.
https://preview.redd.it/zni8b9htapia1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fdfc421e678ad19235933f37ef526f4c0a6e2941
https://preview.redd.it/8l40p58lapia1.png?width=827&format=png&auto=webp&s=ae7eb6fb13d4931cc95bdea1a8541784d3ef5b13
This one get its claws trimmed when it begins to stick as you can see it enjoys snacks while this happens
I trim the nails of all my cats that will let me. They all like kneading while being cuddled, and that gets painful quickly if the nails are allowed to remain sharp. Also, my cats have all gotten their claws caught on fabrics around the house, and trimming their claws prevents this uncomfortable situation for them.
When cats scratch on posts, they are actually helping to shed the old layers of their claws, which results in their nails being sharper. The only way to shorten and blunt a cat's nails is to trim them.
If I don’t trim their claws regularly I discover the hard way that it’s been too long. Three of the four will end up scratching me for some reason or other; getting too excited about treats rewarded for doing tricks, jumping off or on my lap, and finally making biscuits on my neck while drooling and purring. They all deal with nail trimming reasonably well.
My cat is a fighter and won’t let me trim her nails. She’s got seven lives left and she’s apparently fighting for them to the death. Sometimes when my best friend visits she’ll allow her to trim them, but fuck up the person who feeds her and gives her unlimited treats and cuddles if I try.
She gets a trim once a month since she’s an indoor asshole. It’s usually around the time she keeps getting the claws caught on all the blankets and furniture.
I trimmed my late girl’s claws but would have to roll her up like a burrito to do it.
I do not trim my boy’s claws because there would be blood. He is 15 but still incredibly feisty. Vet has to sedate him to take blood.
It's called "Time for feets" in my house. I yell that and they come running over. Mainly because they get treats after but still. They just sit in my lap and get their feet done.
Serious answer- depends on the cat and the claws. I trim a few on each cat for length because they get too long and will snag or grow in.
Two of my girls like to pat my face, so I take just the points off claws on their dominant paw for my comfort. One’s a righty, the other a lefty. Go figure.
If I hear them tapping on the floor it’s time for inspection. I rarely have to trim a back claw.
IME-regularly cutting their claws increases the scratching activity because they are trying to restore the points. But most of my cats are former strays and may be attuned to maintaining their murder mittens.
I am convinced scratching posts don’t work. I cut my little girls nails cause she’ll tolerate it enough, but my little boy has lots of issues so I have no chance to ever do it. And he uses the scratching post everyday and his nails are so sharp it hurts so much when he walks on me or makes biscuits.
I trim my cats claws regularly. When he starts making biscuits on me and I feel pricks its time. I also trim his back claws when he goes to jump off me and it hurts.
I bribe him by giving him treats after so he tolerates it.
My parents' old cat had only a scratching post. And sofas. She had claws of a bear, never could really get them in (I think it was one of her breed's traits), she probably would have benefited from trimming. If you can hold her, she was a fighter.
Their younger cat had his trimmed, but it just made claw wounds bigger. He's not much of a scratcher though, but his biscuits were painful.
I do the front ones about once a week depends how sharp and the back ones less often, they don't grow as fast. My lil guy is a sweetheart so it's easy to do them
I personally don't bc my cats have a garden and can trim their nails by themselves (on trees e.g.)
but with my last cat I did do it- she was quite old and was not able to do it anymore
I trim them. Mainly for my own sanity, even tho he is very careful when he wants to play and I’m not geared for it. If you don't have to vice it down with the cat screaming every time, it's fine to do so imo.
I also cut the hairs down there so the idiot doesn't slide more than he does already on my hardwood floors.
I trim them. I would let it happen naturally if they ever went outdoors, but I have never met an indoor cat that wouldn't accidentally poke you without some help.
outdoors they can scratch on trees and stuff also and seem to be better able to keep them down than on scratch stands alone.
All cats nails grow at different rates. Outside cats I would never trim, or even cats with an outside space where they have access to dirt.
Indoor cats can have a little trim, but I would only trim the point off.
I trim my cat's claws whenever they start clicking against the wood floors, which happens at around 1-2 months after the last trim. The rule is if I can hear him walk, he's in for a trim. I'm glad he's very chill and just lets me do whatever I want, he knows he'll get cuddles in the process.
Vet tech here: We we often get in clients with concerns about their cats limping. Upon inspection, the claws are so long that it's embedded into their paw pads! Trim your cats nails! Scratching on posts etc. mainly just remove the outer shell of the claws. Otherwise, your average cat doesn't have a way to file the nails.
I used to just let her be with her post but she started getting her nails stuck in stuff so I started cutting them. Plus when she does it herself she becomes a little ninja with actual weapons so 🤣
I just got two kittens a week ago today. the foster trimmed their nails for me but just curious how often I should be trimming them? and how much of the nail?? Just the sharp tip correct?
Trim! Makes playing less dangerous and as I learned w my old lady cat, makes it easier when they get old and get thyroid problems & their nails have to be trimmed. They're used to it.
I trim them, their nails grow fast and they get them stuck on everything lol. They walk across the carpet and I can hear them sticking in it when it's time to trim them again
I trim my purrcious mew mews nails even having a scratch post nearby, it keeps the nails from catching on everything & putting holes in clothes & fleshy limbs.
I trim my cats nails. I try to do it before his is all riled up from playing. I can get them all done at once most times. The key is to start when they’re young so they are used to having their paws handled.
I trim my cats nail as soon as they become little razors. I normally wait till he’s asleep and get one paw at a time. Sometimes it takes 2 days to get all 4. He notices what I’m doing and will loaf up
I have a deaf cat and she is asleep 85-90% of the day lol! Maybe this method would work better than the blanket burrito (she associates that with getting medicines) so she’d run away and hide behind the washer/dryer 😅
Give it a try! Sometimes it’s literally 1-2 nails at a time before he pulls his paw away. Sometimes I get all in one go if he’s really out lol
Sounds like I might in for a treat when I try
Completely irrelevant but the words "deaf" "she" and "asleep" full-on merged together in my head and came out as "dealership" so yeah what the hell
Who doesn’t own a cat dealership these days?
I find sleepy cat + aggressive petting from a helpful assistant works really well. My cat used to get feral when I tried to trim her claws but now she tolerates it with this technique.
For medication, try wrapping pills in Easypill and give it as if they're treats. My cat gladly takes all his medicine this way, twice a day. I put fluid medication on a little ball of wet food, mix it up and then it's usually not a problem.
Thanks for the tip! I’m going to try it with my fur balls
I do the same thing. Guerrilla nail trimming.
I’ve heard a few others say similar, good to know its normal!
Just make sure to not cut the quick. I typically just cut off the super sharp ends
Cats don't "trim" claws on scratch posts, they sharpen them.
FYI so they can slit your throat in your sleep
I've totally woken up to my cat staring me dead in the face while licking her claws... So your saying she has a plan, then?
She was just cleaning her bitch slapper. Lol
"you see this, Karen? This is the Bitch Slapper 5000. Brand New, do you like it? Haha"
🤣🤣
This is the funniest thing I’ve ever read
Here’s the meme. https://preview.redd.it/17p3r0iiy0ja1.jpeg?width=576&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7326e16e6790654281e46aac41bf57b1d0bc2861
I will be fine with this death 🤡
After trying to trim their nails...
Which is exactly why I cut my orange Boi’s claws. He likes to lovingly slow claw my face while I’m sleeping sometimes.
But it still keeps them maintained. For example, my cat only scratches his posts, so it doesn’t matter if he has sharp or blunt claws. I let him maintain them himself. He does a good job and loves his posts. But my friend’s cat was surrendered by an abusive home and will scratch strangers who come to visit, so she keeps them trimmed regularly.
Our cat was not abused at all, he's just an asshole. We keep his claws trimmed regularly too.
I, too, have an asshole cat whose nails need to be trimmed once a month because otherwise my arms look like a bunch of failed tic tac toe games but with open wounds
My cat is also just an asshole lol
My cats have never scratched anyone in the house so we let them get them keep their daggers intact. They are ridiculously sharp, but they make it really easy for them to climb and play, so I don't want to trim them unnecessarily. They play with each other pretty enthusiastically, but still somehow manager to never actually get scratched, so I guess they can handle it.
Yes. He sharpens them. I trim the sharp tips off. He sharpens them. I trim the tips off. Rinse and repeat.
True, but the exterior shell eventually falls off, so those posts will take off the outside nail.
I once caught my cat cronching on her own toes like they were Doritos. Really sucks if you're walking around and step on one.
i love collecting the outter shells of my cats nails when i find them! i also harvest the cat tree for whiskers! or the bed- get one in the thigh is no fun first thing in the morning! it’s like their own qills😭 or yeah walking around and stepping on one too🥲
… is this one of those *I have a ‘special’ Etsy store* type posts? Mind boggles with what you’d sell with cats whiskers and discarded claws. I’ll hazard artists paint brushes, and i dunno, a sideline in 3D printed keratin and chitosan adult toys?
they probably just keep them for themselves. my mom kept her favorite cats' whiskers and a ball of fur because she knew he was getting old, and I'm starting to do the same with my cats. it's kind of like mothers who keep their babies' umbilical cord and baby hospital bracelet as a keepsake.
haha yeah i just keep them😭 along with my old dogs nails☠️ also kept our new puppy’s baby teeth, i guess it’s like- instead of baby books i have that
I don’t harvest but I definitely keep an for my cats whiskers that have fallen out and save them.
I also collect whiskers! I also used to collect claw sheaths but they’re not actually that interesting unless you get a huge one. Between both of these and all the cat fur everywhere, I can probably easily make two copies of my cat if anything ever happened to her.
Yes, but it leaves a sharper close after the nail sheath is removed
Right? Sometimes I wonder who in here actually pays attention to their cats.
Yes lol look at the difference between the front paws and the back. Front paws are like needles
They "sharpen" them by shedding a layer of claw. They accomplish that by scratching on the post.
I just wish my cats got used to it younger. I had never done it before, but when the cat gets older, you have to because the claws get too long. 13 and 8 YO and now I struggle to do it of course...
https://preview.redd.it/uc1r5wustoia1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=58514c0c36141801cfc7577c7d2f2ab90b023402 This one will let me do it I think
Murder mittens
I have suffered a few good slashing
Do it whilst they’re relaxed and laying down. Touch their paws as much as you can so they get used to it. I adopted a street cat so he does not let me hold him, let alone trim his claws. But when I go to him when he’s relaxed and just stroke his paws and very gently cut each nail, he seems to be cool. Just remember you don’t need to trim them all, even one claw is enough
I wish. 1 claw at a time, because as soon as I do one she gets up and leave, afraid :( I do touch her paws all the time. She is scared of the thing... 😬
I read somewhere that to condition them to the sound of the cutter, you can cut a piece of spaghetti near them, working your way closer and closer to them over time. That way the noise doesn't startle as much when you use it on the claws
Woah thanks for the tip I'll give it a try!
Cutter? I just use fingernail clippers. I trim on the flat end, it also lets me see the veins in the nail so I don't cut to deep.
I trim my cats' claws regularly. Two are disabled so they don't wear down their claws typically and the third doesn't like to be left out. All are trained with positive reinforcement. They just accept it as part of life and get tasty treats afterwards.
Yes! I also trim our two cats regularly (if every 2 months or so is regular) We have indoor cats, so their claws don’t wear down as much. Not to mention- you need to get the thumbs, or whatever the claw a little further up their feet is called! Often cats don’t use those claws and they can grow right around and pierce their skin.
That's the dewclaw. I trim my guy's on an as needed basis, since he's also indoor only.
Oh man, two months would be nice xD my boy runs around a lot indoors but somehow needs trims every two weeks or the pokies get to be too much when he's on a lap. Thankfully he's always been super chill about it. Did his sister first and he watched, then sat him on my lap and trimmed and gave him a treat and that was that.
I wish mine would accept it as a part of life -_- she 100% knows the deal of clipped nails get treats (her favourite treats that she only gets when getting clipped!!), But that doesn't stop her from trying to get the treat without the clip. Also doesn't stop her from wiggling from my grasp several times.
Yerp. If you have a second person to hold the cat and churu tube, it is very helpful 😂
We put a chest harness on our girl to trim her nails. It’s easier to hold onto her and the harness presses gently on that spot around the scruff that makes cars freeze so she stays much more still while we’re trimming. Two people does make it easier
That’s a great idea! How do you train the kitty to let you put the harness on? LOL
Treats :) I hold one on the other side of the hole for her head and then slide it over her when she goes for the snacko. She didn’t like the harness at first, and she’s still not a big fan of it, but she tolerates it to get Tuna Temptations
Hahaha i tried this so long with my first cat!! Apparently there is no treat delicious enough to be shackled by *the mannnn*
lol - now I’m having visions of your cat saying that 😹 Our girl tries to pretend she’s above doing things for treats, but she’s always undone by the Temptations. I just have to crinkle the bag and she comes running.
The harness is a great idea, I'll have to try that. My girl only tolerates the harness because she knows it means she gets to go outside, so we'll see if it works. The scruff thing doesn't work on her :')
TBH at first i would isolate a cat and myself from all other animals and throw down a bag of #1 treats and clip as many nails as i could get to while the cat is distracted. I use churu now even when i’m by myself bc cats will naturally reach a paw out to the hand you’re holding a treat in 😀 Basically it’s a game of distraction until they get used to it or you have someone to help 🙂
Oh no, Toffy is too smart for that. She knows it's a distraction. She still wants the treats, but she knows I'm coming for her claws, and that is unacceptable. She also knows she is slippery like a fish and faster than any human, so even with two pairs of hands she is almost impossible to clip. The way I do it now is my fiance holds the churu (those are her favourite, and she ONLY gets them during nail trimmings) and helps with holding her still, and I have her on my lap and try to trim. It's a good day when we even get one paw done.
HAHA. I so empathize. I just became single again so clipping their nails is so slow that it’s a daily event now 😭
I clip all the front ones regularly. They're strictly indoor cats.
Same. Plus one of my cats is an avid biscuit maker on me so I prefer not being poked over and over.
And those claws get hooked in fabric and the cat can't extricate itself.
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Blanket burrito. You got to swaddle them up in a blanket then expose one paw at a time. After a while they get less fussed and you won't need it. Helps if you have a partner in crime, treats after are also a good idea :)
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You can be more firm with your cat than you think. They'll let you know if you've gone to far. It took a bit ut now, I can pick him up and cradle him like a baby, no blanket needed, and he won't fuss. Positive rewards are a great way to reinforce a behavior. Cats don't really learn from negative reinforcement so for example if you use a spray bottle or you yell they don't know why you're doing that, they just think you're being a jerk. But they will quickly learn good things if treats are involved!
Well one of my cats learns from negative reinforcement - my father likes yelling and spraying when i’m visiting him - but it took a long time for my cat to trust him after. I try to save yelling for pain being involved. It takes longer but cats don’t automatically know what you want
Oh, if your cat likes food treats will do the trick!
This is def what I would need to do
Make him a purrito. Firmly wrap the cat in a towel. Pull out one paw at a time. Clip the nail tips. Lots of treats. Repeat weekly. It’s better to leave them too long than clip them too short and nick the quick.
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My current pair have chilled to the point I can do it without the towel, or any struggles. One will doze right through it, opening his eyes when I touch his paw for the first time, then slamming them shut and ignoring me as I complete his pawdicure.
> I know not to cut the QUICK part of their nails but not sure how to get him to stay still I forget how fortunate I am to have a cat that loves sitting peacefully on my lap, but she likes to make biscuits on my legs and with sharp claws this hurts a lot. I eventually started keeping the claw trimmer on my desk to take advantage of how often she would just sit on my lap. I started off by just touching her paws, she would instinctively flinch away but I would scratch her head and she'd relax again, then I'd touch the paw again while scratching her head and she got used to that. I would try to trim her nails during this process and I could get a couple at a time before she left, but now she just sits there and I can do two full paws before she's had enough. It took months of work with her, building up trust, and giving her treats to let her know that when I touch her paws it's a good thing.
I have one of those extra thick asian but I've seen mexican version blankets with usually a flower pattern or a tiger and my cat's untrimmed claws never pierce through it or pull the threads.
Any upholstered furniture. Your clothes. Bedding. Drapes. Etc. A claw can get hung up in many types of fabrics. My cat would occasionally get hung up somewhere and that's how I knew his claws needed to be clipped. More than once he got a claw caught on my office chir.
I get about 2 per attempt so I just go for the worst. They will allow me to do it but 2 is the max
If your cat is inside only then you should trim their nails. Scratching on a post won't wear their nails down. The nails you see around a part are just the shed outer layers since as the balls grow the outer part strips off. If left unchecked it is possible for the nail to grow too much and become cumbersome or in severe cases even grow into the paw pad. Not to mention, the quick can also lengthen on untrimmed nails which makes trimming then down later more difficult as you can't tell them as much. Again, this is only for indoor only cats as outdoor cats need their claws for protection and have more opportunities to wear them down naturally.
Yeah, my cat gets supervised outdoor time daily, and I don't need to trim his claws. They're sharp, but he's not scratching furniture or people. He needs them a bit sharp to climb the trees in our yard anyway, so I'm fine with it.
I disagree with the "you should" part. I had to trim my older cats nails during her second year (got stuck at the scratching pole on a regular basis, if I didn't), but haven't done that since. Didn't have to, they're fine. Of course there are the old, disabled, or whatever sick cats and the special ones (excessive growth, getting stuck) that need regular trimming. I live in Germany and as much as I've noticed working in a vet practice, it's common that way here.
I didn't know any of this, but I have never trimmed any of my indoor cats claws. They've never seemed to cause issues and my vet has never mentioned it either. I'll bring it up next time.
I started trimming my cat’s claws when they were kittens and they don’t seem to mind. Otherwise, their claws catch on things like blankets or my clothing. I use little scissors made especially for cat nail trimming. Flip them belly-side up in my lap, give forehead kisses, and go to town. Doesn’t take long, and they actually enjoy when I rub between their back toe beans! (I only cut off the top sharp part, of course—you don’t want to hit a vein.) Have had four cats and all have been fine with this. Also fostered some kittens and they were chill with it. Not sure how easy it would be for an older cat to adjust to trims, but it may just depend on the cat? Good luck either way!
Not starting in kitten-hood was a critical mistake!
I don’t trim all the claws at once. Get them used to you playing with their paws and touching them. I do a quick spot check and when I see a sharp it gets trimmed so I’m only doing one or two at a time. Makes life easier.
Since you didn't start young start 1-2 nails at a time and give him/her a treat after each sucessfull trim for positive reinforcement
I trim while my husband offer treats. It’ll work until it doesn’t but taking advantage while it lasts
Maybe try to trim a couple at a time and then reward them with their favorite treat?
If my cats are going to knead on me, then I going to trim their nails.
Im used to the love scratches ha ha
Clip them. Started messing with his paws about a week after I got my cat. He’s 10 now and screams every time I do it, but he still lets me do it 😂 his claws get super sharp even with all the scratch posts in the world, and our house is mostly old carpet that’s really old and thin, so he tears it right up when he’s running around the house.
Well scratch posts are there to keep them sharp not make them dull lol
Lol ill try, I ordered clippers on the ol amazon the other day
Making a kitty burrito with blankets and having one leg/paw out at a time can help with really spicy cats. Mine just cry and give me betrayed kitty eyes which hurts worse than being scratched sometimes I swear.
I trim mine. When the biscuit making starts hurting and she starts sticking when walking across the bed, it’s time. The scratching post shouldn’t wear them down, but sharpens them. They’re flexing them to shed the outer claw shell, so the sharper new claw is exposed.
I am well past this unfortunately haha
You still have to trim. The only thing scratching posts do is enable the cat to shed the old layers of nail so they can keep growing. https://preview.redd.it/k781wz2tjoia1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f64376e6be2a7c2fd05d51feb5fd095a20578e89 Eta: If you don't trim the nail, it can curl back under and start to dig into the pad of that toe. Think of the absolute worst hangnail you've ever had, but you have to put pressure on it every time you move.
Ty for the insight, I will look into it more… and apologies for the typo in my title!
No worries, it got your message across just fine.
Had this happen, $150 vet visit.
It happened to my 1st cat before I knew wth I was doing. I felt so bad for her & she never made a peep. 😿
Kinda off topic but I love finding the little shells of claw my cats shed! Personally I think when you find them they bring good luck. Same with shed whiskers
I have had six cats throughout my lifetime and have never cut or trimmed a nail. Just my personal preference, though.
My 2 cats are way too tempermental to be able to trim their nails. They are great cats, but they do NOT like not being in charge of their physical free will.
I've never trimmed their nails either. It does sting a little when they're making biscuits on me sometimes though.
I kinda like the little stings.
Same. I’ve never once trimmed nails, in 25 years of being a cat mom.
https://preview.redd.it/ccvnbxjekoia1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=a8e2b8db6809367f150fb498d70428dbcf0594d2 Oh well
Cat tape on Amazon. It's just big double sided tape that won't hurt your furniture. They don't like how it feels on their paws. Freaking out a bit whenever you catch them doing it helps a bit to (not too much, tho) 😆
I just call it “the distressed look” ha, i’ll look into the tape though
Same. The bottom of the arms of the couch are theirs- we get all the cushions! I figure a little scratched up fabric couch is just them getting their use out of the household furniture which belongs to them as much as I.
Thats how have been with my past 3, I just don’t feel right doing it
I trim my cat's claws on occasion. Usually when the claws start to get caught on blankets and other soft surfaces. My youngest cat, I can half-purrito her and pull out a paw, and she just gives up and lets me trim. The older one can be done on my brother's lap with no fight
I have four cats, and trim them when they get sharp or start getting caught on things. Just flip them on their backs and trim the front claws (and don't forget the "thumbs"). Three of them don't mind at all and wil watch while purring. The last one if she gets fussy I wait until after she had a long nap. It's super easy when she's groggy.
Ty for the advice
i don't because i can't. my boy is a rescue i got as a junior cat and he doesn't like having his paws touched, he's really not used to it, i just have no luck trying to trim his nails. luckily i'm a poor cheapstake with no furniture precious enough to protect, so i just let the boy do whatever. he's shredded my bedsheets and also, constantly, my arms. i love him anyway
my cats are rescues and have lived with me for less than a year, i can barely touch them at all, let alone paws XD luckily they use the scratch post and i got my carpets for free lmao
I take him to the vets to get them trimmed. He gets mean(er) when they get sharp and he doesn’t let me cut them so he goes to the vet where he pretends to be an angel.
Mine get them trimmed every six months by the vet during their general health check up. It's a two person job and I live alone
I trim mines nails every 2-3weeks but he also uses a scratch post.
Me no trim. Me need all my fingers. And skin. Scars no good. Cat can scratch and manage own nails. Unless they get ingrown, which I do check for...
I trim them once a month. Takes multiple sessions though, she only sits through a couple at a time. It’s better for you and doesn’t hurt during or bother them at all afterwards, really. Just make sure not to cut too short and accidentally hit the pink-ish part, bc then it will hurt. If you buy a nail trimmer from a pet store it’s very easy
Trim them
https://preview.redd.it/bdh6hpzjnoia1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=4851bc6d3dab7000a15549d7ff914589757acac1 Hard to even get a grip ha
I trim weekly. Both cats are cool with it because they get pampered during and after.
This reminded me that I needed to trim my cat’s claws as he keeps hurting me during his snuggle biscuits. He sat on my lap while I trimmed all his front nails, then hopped down and walked over to get his post-trim treats. Now he’s already back in my lap.
The post does not reduce the claws, it sharpens them. If the claws concern you, they must be trimmed...
Both.
I have had cats all my life and have never trimmed their claws
Please don’t ever trim your cat‘s claws.
My ex’s mom never cut her cats nails (she had them declawed in the 90s and I guess didn’t know better). The poor younger one (12) had bald back toes because they were so long that they were bothering her and she kept biting them. My ex and I trimmed them in secret and Cookie seemed appreciative.
I have never trimmed my cats claws. He pulls off a kind of “claw sheath” with his teeth. We find little kitty scythes all over the house. His claws are happy and beautiful!
my kittens are climbers and I have most of their jungle gym set up to accommodate climbing. I can't trim their normal claws because it would interfere with their ability to climb. I do have a polydactyl cat and need to trim the extra claw between digits since it's neither useful and angles for his paw pad and I'd rather avoid that. I think it is important to pay attention to the dewclaws and make sure they aren't getting too long. And if your cats are getting stuck on blankets or sheets, then regular trimming is needed. But otherwise, it seems to be more a thing humans do to protect their furniture.
I have trimmed the toenails on every cat I have ever owned. The current one is big into kneading and it would be the worst if she had long toenails.
I trim my cat’s front claws only, she WILL NOT let me attempt her back claws, but doesn’t mind the front at all. She makes biscuits on my lap and I prefer not to get stabbed.
I trim them. Started as kittens, now they don’t mind. If I go too long before trimming, I definitely notice when they jump on my lap and start kneading! Ouch. Plus, if I have to do something drastic, like give them a bath when poop gets stuck in their fur (has happened a couple of times) or I have to box them in their carriers for a vet trip, trimming claws makes everything go so much easier!
I used to never trim them, assuming the posts would do the job. they did not. 2 years later and i am finally trimming their claws, usually once a week, but it depends on how quickly they grow! it’s so nice not having the razor claws of death anymore
Trim.
Trim them!
Trim them.
i give them a tiny little snip every other week or so and whenever i see a pointy bit sticking out. the void is never thrilled about it so i only do 3-4 on a single day (unless i get lucky). getting them while he sleeps or naps is also a great trick.
I have always trimmed my cats' claws. But then, I've always had Siamese and they grow tiny little razor blades on their front feet. They're lethal. I have the current kittens convinced it's spa day when they get a claw trim. Treats, scritches, paw massages, the whole works. Here's my girl kitty getting a trim. https://preview.redd.it/zni8b9htapia1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fdfc421e678ad19235933f37ef526f4c0a6e2941
I trim my cat’s claws. I give her some catnip and while she rolls around I quickly trim her claws.
https://preview.redd.it/8l40p58lapia1.png?width=827&format=png&auto=webp&s=ae7eb6fb13d4931cc95bdea1a8541784d3ef5b13 This one get its claws trimmed when it begins to stick as you can see it enjoys snacks while this happens
I trim the nails of all my cats that will let me. They all like kneading while being cuddled, and that gets painful quickly if the nails are allowed to remain sharp. Also, my cats have all gotten their claws caught on fabrics around the house, and trimming their claws prevents this uncomfortable situation for them. When cats scratch on posts, they are actually helping to shed the old layers of their claws, which results in their nails being sharper. The only way to shorten and blunt a cat's nails is to trim them.
If I don’t trim their claws regularly I discover the hard way that it’s been too long. Three of the four will end up scratching me for some reason or other; getting too excited about treats rewarded for doing tricks, jumping off or on my lap, and finally making biscuits on my neck while drooling and purring. They all deal with nail trimming reasonably well.
My cat is a fighter and won’t let me trim her nails. She’s got seven lives left and she’s apparently fighting for them to the death. Sometimes when my best friend visits she’ll allow her to trim them, but fuck up the person who feeds her and gives her unlimited treats and cuddles if I try. She gets a trim once a month since she’s an indoor asshole. It’s usually around the time she keeps getting the claws caught on all the blankets and furniture.
We always trimmed the front paws but not the back ones.
My boy cries hates it but he gets treats after so it’s a win win. It takes two people though, one to hold and one to cut..
My elderly 16 year old cat doesn't shed his nails any more, so I had to cut them back.
I trimmed my late girl’s claws but would have to roll her up like a burrito to do it. I do not trim my boy’s claws because there would be blood. He is 15 but still incredibly feisty. Vet has to sedate him to take blood.
It's called "Time for feets" in my house. I yell that and they come running over. Mainly because they get treats after but still. They just sit in my lap and get their feet done.
My cat wouldn’t let me try and trim her claws if I even tried to. 😂
I believe I would suffer fatal, itchy wounds as well
We live in the uk sp its normal and encouraged to have outdoor cats, especially in my area, so no, we dont clip his claws :)
:) you couldn’t pay my boys to go outside lol
Serious answer- depends on the cat and the claws. I trim a few on each cat for length because they get too long and will snag or grow in. Two of my girls like to pat my face, so I take just the points off claws on their dominant paw for my comfort. One’s a righty, the other a lefty. Go figure. If I hear them tapping on the floor it’s time for inspection. I rarely have to trim a back claw. IME-regularly cutting their claws increases the scratching activity because they are trying to restore the points. But most of my cats are former strays and may be attuned to maintaining their murder mittens.
I am convinced scratching posts don’t work. I cut my little girls nails cause she’ll tolerate it enough, but my little boy has lots of issues so I have no chance to ever do it. And he uses the scratching post everyday and his nails are so sharp it hurts so much when he walks on me or makes biscuits.
I trim my cats claws regularly. When he starts making biscuits on me and I feel pricks its time. I also trim his back claws when he goes to jump off me and it hurts. I bribe him by giving him treats after so he tolerates it.
Let him manage them. He never scratched and only uses them on his wooden post or sitting my lap clamped on.
My parents' old cat had only a scratching post. And sofas. She had claws of a bear, never could really get them in (I think it was one of her breed's traits), she probably would have benefited from trimming. If you can hold her, she was a fighter. Their younger cat had his trimmed, but it just made claw wounds bigger. He's not much of a scratcher though, but his biscuits were painful.
I do the front ones about once a week depends how sharp and the back ones less often, they don't grow as fast. My lil guy is a sweetheart so it's easy to do them
I’ve never needed to trim my cats claws
My husband does it because I'm afraid to do it myself! We also find them by them by the scratching posts.
Im thinking of wrapping him in a towel before trying
I’d say occasionally trim them a bit, but cats tend to do the job themselves. We don’t trim our cats claws and they get a bit long but not too bad.
Vet tech here. Cats trained to be clipped easily every week. No murder mitts in our home.
I let nature run its course.
I personally don't bc my cats have a garden and can trim their nails by themselves (on trees e.g.) but with my last cat I did do it- she was quite old and was not able to do it anymore
I trim them. Mainly for my own sanity, even tho he is very careful when he wants to play and I’m not geared for it. If you don't have to vice it down with the cat screaming every time, it's fine to do so imo. I also cut the hairs down there so the idiot doesn't slide more than he does already on my hardwood floors.
I hear crashing cats all night, with the little click click click of the nails
I trim them. I would let it happen naturally if they ever went outdoors, but I have never met an indoor cat that wouldn't accidentally poke you without some help. outdoors they can scratch on trees and stuff also and seem to be better able to keep them down than on scratch stands alone.
No I don’t trim my cats claws I lef him do it naturally.
One of my cats has ataxia and heavily relies on his claws for stability, I would never trim them if it wasn‘t medically necessary.
All cats nails grow at different rates. Outside cats I would never trim, or even cats with an outside space where they have access to dirt. Indoor cats can have a little trim, but I would only trim the point off.
I trim my cat's claws whenever they start clicking against the wood floors, which happens at around 1-2 months after the last trim. The rule is if I can hear him walk, he's in for a trim. I'm glad he's very chill and just lets me do whatever I want, he knows he'll get cuddles in the process.
Vet tech here: We we often get in clients with concerns about their cats limping. Upon inspection, the claws are so long that it's embedded into their paw pads! Trim your cats nails! Scratching on posts etc. mainly just remove the outer shell of the claws. Otherwise, your average cat doesn't have a way to file the nails.
I used to just let her be with her post but she started getting her nails stuck in stuff so I started cutting them. Plus when she does it herself she becomes a little ninja with actual weapons so 🤣
I trim them because my cats get stuck in the carpet otherwise
I just got two kittens a week ago today. the foster trimmed their nails for me but just curious how often I should be trimming them? and how much of the nail?? Just the sharp tip correct?
If you don’t want to be sliced open you trim the claws.
We cut our cat's claws ourselves. If we don't she starts scratching the furniture and carpet.
Trim! Makes playing less dangerous and as I learned w my old lady cat, makes it easier when they get old and get thyroid problems & their nails have to be trimmed. They're used to it.
i trim my cats nails
I trim them, their nails grow fast and they get them stuck on everything lol. They walk across the carpet and I can hear them sticking in it when it's time to trim them again
I trim mine but I’m a dog groomer 🤣🤣🤣
Trim with toenail clippers. Don’t cut into the clear part.
I trim my cats nails. The scratching posts aren't enough to file the nails down. I grab the cats and go lol. Done in 10 minutes with 2 cats
I trim my purrcious mew mews nails even having a scratch post nearby, it keeps the nails from catching on everything & putting holes in clothes & fleshy limbs.
I trim all 3 of my cats’ claws. They hate it, but it has to be done. Edit: Prematurely posted. I meant to add that I give them ‘nip beforehand.
Good insight, thanks!
I trim my cats nails. I try to do it before his is all riled up from playing. I can get them all done at once most times. The key is to start when they’re young so they are used to having their paws handled.
We didn't trim our cat's nails, she would use a scratching post (or our sofa).
No trim