Is it necessary to trim an indoor cat's claws on a regular basis?

Question

When I first got my cat, the vet said I should clip her nails on a regular basis. However, my cat absolutely refuses to let that happen! She uses a scratching post all the time. Is that good enough?

I would never get my cat declawed.

Answer 1

If your cat uses a scratching post and is not tearing up your furniture ....there is no ned to trim the claws.

Answer 2

I clip all of my cats' claws about every two or three weeks. They don't particularly like it, but I've worked out a method that does the trick. If I have someone else available to help me, they hold the cat by the scruff of the neck on a table. They talk to it and pet it, keeping it on its side. I use special clippers that look like a small pair of scissors. They're easier to use and they don't make as much noise as some other clippers. I hold the paw firmly and gently squeeze the claw out, then carefully clip the end, making sure not to get into the quick (the part that bleeds). When we're finished, I pet the cat and give it a small treat.

If I don't have someone available to help me, I put two squeeze type clothespins on the scruff of the neck, and that cat just falls over like it's paralyzed. I talk and pet it in between trimming, then give it a treat when I release it.

A scratching post does not dull claws - it removes the old layers of claw. If your cats don't scratch anything except the scratching post, I suppose you don't need to trim them. Keep in mind, however, that during playtime (with you) an accidental scratch from a clipped claw is much less painful than one from a sharp, pointed dagger. Also, if I haven't trimmed them recently, my cats tend to get caught on things with their sharp claws - my clothing, the carpeting, and the screen door, for example. They aren't scratching, just reaching, and the extremely pointed claws catch more easily than the blunt ends of trimmed claws.

Answer 3

I have a Siamese cat Sarah, and I have had her for 4 yrs. I have never clipped her nails because even though she is a inside cat she still goes out every day for about a hr. She uses trees to scratch on and I have a piece of carpet right inside the door that she uses too. I don't see any reason to clip your kittys nails. A cats nails are their defense against other animals.If your cat starts to use your furniture just tell her no and put her out for a few minutes or put her by her scratching post. Good Luck and God Bless.

Answer 4

i know this is an old question but i stumbled on it and felt a need to say something in case someone reads this and takes the advice.

if you dont want to declaw your cat that is fine. many people are against it and i get that. but if you choose to not declaw then know that you do need to trim your cats nails. there is a reason your vet said to do it. sure when your cat is young their nails may not get to wild but with age and lack of care eventually the nail can grow so long as to dig into your cats paw pads and cause some pretty traumatizing damage. if your cat can be a bit of a bear when trying to trim his ir her nails and you cant possibly do it monthly then do it as you can. pay attention to your cat and make sure its nails arent getting too long if you can manage trim just the ones you are worried about. if you cant even do that i wouldt recomend that you take them to your vet either once a month or every other month for a toe nail trim.

Answer 5

No animal is happy to get their claws cut. I would suggest getting a nail clipper especially for cats. Makles things a lot eisier and a lot faster. Once their claws get so long they will shed off. Normally when they are clawing at the post. Just make sure to keep plenty of them. Once they start clawing at the carpet or on wooden posts it does not take long for them to get ruined. If you do not want to clip their nails then don't. I have never clipped my cats nails in the 7 years i've had him. He only has his rear claws.

Answer 6

I wouldn't ever do that to a cat, if i want a cat, i'll deal with the whole package, i know what their nature is. if your cat is using the scratching post, that means she's already trained to do so. My mother in law has three cats with no claws and two with claws. She decided to keep the claws on the two cats because they have been good about scratching, and have their scratching pad and post. So just do it if you want to do it, but if she's being a good cat, why put her through that ?

Answer 7

My cat is an indoor cat and I've neve clipped her nails. I didn't even know that cats needed their nails clipped, I thought the scratching post wore them down enough.

Answer 8

i have no problem clipping my Kitty's nails but i have been doing it since they were babies...if you are having problems try using a friend to hold the cat...by the scruff or in a blanket of some sort...be careful not to cut to short. if you feel as though you do not want to do this just go to your vet once a month and it should only cost 7 or 8 dollars and let the pros do it.

Answer 9

No its not necessary, if your cat is scratching on a post then she is doing it herself naturally. I would only suggest trimming her claws if she starts attacking furniture or humans, as its not really needed for anything else.

Answer 10

well if she is scratching enough you might not need to but check them like once a month. you can wrap her in a towel and just have the arm out that you are clipping, you might need a second person to hold the cat if it is still struggling.

Answer 11

dont have them removed like that other person said, its extremly painful to the cat, and he needs them. the scratching post should be enough, it always has been whenever ive had a cat, but u should check them every once in a while to be sure.