Clipping nails

[Tina]

I have to admit to never having trimmed/clipped either of my girls' claws. Luckily they both do a lot of scratching (Miw on the scratching post like a good girl, Mousie on the kitchen table leg like the imp she is!) so their claws aren't too bad.

I think Mousie would probably sit quietly and allow us to clip her claws.......she's very easy-going and used to sitting still for medication and blood tests, so claw clipping would be a breeze.

Miw, however........I don't think I'd dare to even try! As it is, we need 3 people and full body armour just to do her monthly flea treatment, and that's just a little drop on the back of her neck LOL!

[calismum]

Originally Posted by dandysmom

LOL! Patches always thrashed like a wild thing and let out bloodcurdling screams that I was amputating her toes without anaesthetic...but she was 1 1/2 when I rehomed her and had never had her claws clipped....and never would! I gave up...that, or A & E!

That's how I feel, but she is still young and such a little madam - I feel I should not give up just yet (so far it is 80:20 to her I think)

Originally Posted by Tina

I have to admit to never having trimmed/clipped either of my girls' claws. Luckily they both do a lot of scratching (Miw on the scratching post like a good girl, Mousie on the kitchen table leg like the imp she is!) so their claws aren't too bad.

I think Mousie would probably sit quietly and allow us to clip her claws.......she's very easy-going and used to sitting still for medication and blood tests, so claw clipping would be a breeze.

Miw, however........I don't think I'd dare to even try! As it is, we need 3 people and full body armour just to do her monthly flea treatment, and that's just a little drop on the back of her neck LOL!

That reminded me - I had the same problem when we did her flea treatment. OMG I have a monster!!

Honestly of all the cats I have ever shared my life with she is the most determined, cussed, sweet, loving, single minded, quirky one I have ever known. A beautiful, little fluffy challenge!

Maybe once she starts to go out she'll keep them short enough for me not to bother with (x's fingers and pleads)

[angieh]

Merlin's front claws have never been a problem as he uses his scratching post and looks after them himself. We only really noticed how long his hind claws were after we had laminate flooring put down in our new kitchen about 18 months ago as they clatter when he walks! Luckily, before he had the op to remove his cyst, I asked the vet to clip the ones on that side so that any scratching he might do to the op site would not be so disastrous. He definitely put up a fight, struggled and cursed - but at least he only clattered on one side until they grew again!

[dandysmom]

Now that you mentioned rear claws, I wonder how Leia keeps hers so sharp and not long, as she doesn't go outside. I just looked at her feet to her annoyance and the back claws are short and very pointy...how does she keep them like that?

[calismum]

Originally Posted by dandysmom

Now that you mentioned rear claws, I wonder how Leia keeps hers so sharp and not long, as she doesn't go outside. I just looked at her feet to her annoyance and the back claws are short and very pointy...how does she keep them like that?

No idea how they do it. Alfie has very short back claws to. Kinsi just seems to have long claws for her size - hopefully she'll grow into them. I used to have a cat - Max - who chewed his claws!

[dandysmom]

I think what you mean by chewing their claws is when they pull off the old claw sheath. I often find one lying about the house; guess that's how Leia keeps hers short, although I've never seen her doing it. But have seen the former cats doing it occasionally .....

[angieh]

Yes Merlin "chews" his toenails (as I call it) and often I find the discarded sheaths lying about. I expect the new ones underneath are much sharper!