Claws - and not retracting

dinahsmum · 20-02-2005, 12:15 PM

My two are old ladies now, and neither of them retract their claws fully and tightly now. They hitch on clothes etc and get tangled. Any hints for helping? Tizz's are very bad, and she doesn't sharpen them now, so I tend to just snip the very ends off with clippers, otherwise they curl into her pads.

Is it just another age thing - I don't really think there's anything I can do but if anyone has any tips..........

Mags · 20-02-2005, 12:38 PM

DM Cassie is the same and she is just over 7. She gets her claws caught in the carpet and is really pulling to get free. She won't let me help her and I get frightened that she will pull her claws out.

As for clothes, 5 mins on your lap and they are ruined with pulled threads!!

She uses her scratching post regularly but that doesn't help....and also the fact that she doesn't go out much this time of the year.

As for clipping her claws....she doesn't like to be cuddled so there is no way she would let me do that to her.

So....I'm afraid I'm not much help to you DM, just got the same problem.

Do you think the vet could offer any advice other than clipping their claws?

shonedek · 20-02-2005, 01:29 PM

theres not a lot you can do about this.Its an age thing and it wont get better.Its to do with the muscles that help retract the nails back.Its actually very common.The best thing to do is just keep clipping them so they dont get caught.This is something we do with the Persians all the time.They have to have nails clipped otherwise they pull out chunks of hair.

dinahsmum · 20-02-2005, 04:23 PM

Thanks both!

I thought it had to be an age thing. So, either put up with it or pull their claws out with pliers then?

Guess we'll put up with it

The clipping (just the tiniest bit, to take off the really sharp end) seems to work quite well.

Mags · 20-02-2005, 04:25 PM

I wish I could clip Cassies claws but she just doesn't like being held still

I'll just have to get her some little pussy boots!

dinahsmum · 20-02-2005, 04:26 PM

oooh yes - little suede ones with satin bows

Abbi · 20-02-2005, 04:30 PM

I am due to clip my little ones claws today, I can tell they need doing as the are catching on everything! They don't like it but I have to do it as they are indoor cats.

Mags · 20-02-2005, 04:37 PM

I think I'll get the vet to do it when she next has her jabs!

Abbi · 20-02-2005, 04:40 PM

My mums has a lady come to her and cut her cats claws once a month - she is a pet beautician! She has a years waiting list she is that good!!! She does birds, cats, dogs the lot!

Mags · 20-02-2005, 04:42 PM

What a good idea! I wonder how much they charge?

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