Claws

[Phoenix]

Soon I'll be taking Beauty back to the vets to have her claws trimmed. She doesn't need them doing right now, but she will soon! I'm phoning up this afternoon to get her an appointment to have them done.

If I could do them myself, I would (problem is I can't find the quick - you know, the bit of the claw that if you cut it it will start bleeding)

For future reference, whereabouts on the claw is the quick? I can't find it on Beauty's claws! :oops: :?

[Mags]

The quick is easier seen if the cat has white claws, it shows up as pink inside the claw. It can be almost impossible to see if the cat has black claws.

The claw should never be clipped right down to the quick............. you can see the position of the quick here (http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm) and also the correct way to clip the claws.

[Phoenix]

The quick is easier seen if the cat has white claws, it shows up as pink inside the claw. It can be almost impossible to see if the cat has black claws.

The claw should never be clipped right down to the quick............. you can see the position of the quick here (http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm) and also the correct way to clip the claws.


I know that the claw should never be cut right back. I think you just cut off the very end, don't you?

I'll be getting the vet to cut her claws - Beauty's highly reluctant to show me her claws (she knows I spoil her - I think that's why)

[meep]

Does she use a scratching post?

My two love theirs! There's a large square base to it, and I frequently have to hoover up HUGE chunks of claw. I never realised before, but it seems cats naturally shed the outer layer of a claw, like a very thin shell. I found one that was a good few layers to it, and it looked like a velocoraptor claw from Jurrasic Park! :shock: At first I was worried they shouldn't be shedding the entire outer layer of a claw but theyv'e been doing it sine I got them and they have very strong, healthy claws and still love using the scratching post.

[Elaine]

I know that the claw should never be cut right back. I think you just cut off the very end, don't you?

I'll be getting the vet to cut her claws - Beauty's highly reluctant to show me her claws (she knows I spoil her - I think that's why)

I think you have pretty much answered your own question;)

[dandysmom]

Does she use a scratching post?

My two love theirs! There's a large square base to it, and I frequently have to hoover up HUGE chunks of claw. I never realised before, but it seems cats naturally shed the outer layer of a claw, like a very thin shell. I found one that was a good few layers to it, and it looked like a velocoraptor claw from Jurrasic Park! :shock: At first I was worried they shouldn't be shedding the entire outer layer of a claw but theyv'e been doing it sine I got them and they have very strong, healthy claws and still love using the scratching post.

I think that's normal, meep; I've always found shed bits of claw, some very large and double layered, as you say. Leia keeps hers in excellent shape; have never trimmed, but did all the others except Patches, who shrieked like a banshee, thrashed wildly and insisted I was amputating her toes without anaesthetic! :roll:

[angieh]

Yes the outer "shell" of the claw being shed is normal meep and yes, it does look like something from Jurassic Park, but much smaller!

Merlin keeps his front claws perfectly well on his scratching post and I've never had to trouble with them. It's his hind claws that now cause a bit of a problem. I managed to get the vet to trim one side for him before his cyst operation and I was very glad this was done as he did not have two scimitar-like weapons to scratch at his face with after the collar was taken off - he still has two very long claws on the other side though and made such a fuss - just like dandysmom describes, that I hesitate to take him back for the other side to be done. I can hear him clattering about on our laminate kitchen floor!

[Phoenix]

Does she use a scratching post?

My two love theirs! There's a large square base to it, and I frequently have to hoover up HUGE chunks of claw. I never realised before, but it seems cats naturally shed the outer layer of a claw, like a very thin shell. I found one that was a good few layers to it, and it looked like a velocoraptor claw from Jurrasic Park! :shock: At first I was worried they shouldn't be shedding the entire outer layer of a claw but theyv'e been doing it sine I got them and they have very strong, healthy claws and still love using the scratching post.

She doesn't use a scratching post as such, she scratches part of the fence that she lies down on (sometimes) and she'll scratch the carpet. She has difficulty reaching up vertically to scratch.

[Phoenix]

I think you have pretty much answered your own question;)

Like I've just said, I can't find the quick :oops: I've tried to get Beauty to let me see her claws but she isn't having it (I dare say she'll be more than happy to oblige showing her claws to the vet - she gets them out while she's trying to escape out the door, she seems to find it easier landing with them out a little)

[dandysmom]

They do make horizontal scratchers; she might find one of those easier to use.....

[Phoenix]

They do make horizontal scratchers; she might find one of those easier to use.....

If I can find one ...

(She prefers using hte bottom of the fence outside, there's a little bit that sticks out of the bottom of the fence that she lies down on, it doubles up as a scratching post)

[Mags]

There are plenty of scratching pads here.......reduced too!:)

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/scratching_posts/scratching_pads

[dandysmom]

I have a largish tree branch salvaged from the arborists who were cutting down and sawing up a dead tree quite a few years back. Leia loves it, as did my others. And you can't get much cheaper than free!

[calismum]

I started a few cats back to trim their claws from when they were kittens. I have already 'done' kinsi. Only took about 1mm off but it gets them used to it, and if it ever needs doing then, not quite so much of a problem.

Love the idea of an old bit of tree branch, much more natuaral as well. - might look out for one, what a great idea.

Other brill scratch idea I found was in PaH. A sleeve that clips on to a table leg. Had a look on the web site to post link but can't find it?

[dandysmom]

I started a few cats back to trim their claws from when they were kittens. I have already 'done' kinsi. Only took about 1mm off but it gets them used to it, and if it ever needs doing then, not quite so much of a problem.

Love the idea of an old bit of tree branch, much more natuaral as well. - might look out for one, what a great idea.

Other brill scratch idea I found was in PaH. A sleeve that clips on to a table leg. Had a look on the web site to post link but can't find it?

Agree 100% that starting them as kittens is the answer; worked with mine. Very difficult if you've rehomed an adult....:roll:. I can't take credit for the tree branch; my neighbor asked the tree men for one for her two, and called me. The bark is almost worn off a part of it where they've scratched. Leia has never once used the scratching post part of her cat tree....