are you supposed to clip a cats nails?

Answer 1

If your cat doesn't go outside and doesn't have means to scratch his nails on the inside (scratching post) then yes you have to trim them. but you only trim them a little bit, if you go to far, you will hit a blood vessel and it will hurt the cat as well. So just trim the very edge of it, your best bet is to get them a scratching post and they will keep them trimmed themselves.

Answer 2

Yes, you can but some cats you dont need to. Just depends on the certain cat. If you would like to clip your own cats nails, its easiest to use human nail clippers. Just remember, do not cut the quick which is the pink part you see in the nail. If you cut it, it will be painful and it will bleed, and the cat can bleed to death. I suggest going to the pet store and getting a product called kwik stop. It works very well and is used to stop the bleeding. Good Luck and have fun!

Answer 3

Some answerers seem to have confused declawing (removal of the first joint of the toe, which includes the claw) with trimming (snipping off the sharp point of the claw). Think of declawing like cutting off the tips of all of your fingers, and trimming like trimming your own finger nails.

If you're not going to declaw (make your own decision on that -- it's almost as divisive as abortion!), you really should trim the claws for indoor cats if you value your furniture. Even well-trained cats with proper scratching posts will still occasionally scratch in unwanted places. Proper trimming (only take off the clear/whitish part -- don't down into the cuticle or quick, just like cutting your own nails) with a proper clipper (cat claws are not human fingernails, and should not be clipped with the same tool -- they're shaped quite differently) is harmless to the cat and can save you from painful moments like having a scared cat jump on you or a happy cat kneading your lap.

Answer 4

If it's an indoor cat, it probably won't wear down its nails just from scratching posts, so you do need to trim them occasionally. You're not removing its defenses, you're just taking off the sharp point. Make sure you get clippers designed especially for cats; they have a round hole in which you insert the nail. It's much easier and more effective than trying to use clippers for human nails, which are flat instead of round.

Answer 5

i clip all my cat's nail every 2 weeks. don't use human clippers, as they can pinch and hurt. clip just where the nail curves and not into the pink or they will bleed. i started when my cat's were you'd and i put them on my lap, on their back's. you have to get them used to it . one cat i could only do one foot at a time, then i'd have to go back latter and do another paw. now i cat do all 4 at once. be gentle and don't scare them.

Answer 6

You can trim your cat's nails. You need to buy a special cat nail trimmer. Your cat probably won't like it. You can have a groomer trim them also. You don't want to trim too much because you can cut into the "quick". Basically, it is where a blood vein in the nails starts, you can usually see where the quick starts because it is a darker color. When I worked at a groomer people used to bring their cats in to have their nails trimmed.

Answer 7

Yes, you should. Use a nail clipper but only cut about 1/4 of the tip of the nail.

Answer 8

I do it. I just take off the sharp tip every once in a while. My cats are indoor cats and they just don't get their claws worn down enough on the scratching post alone.
But, if you never done it, make sure you check with your vet on how to do it. Because you can hurt them if you clip them too far down.

Answer 9

I have to clip my cat's nails at least once every two weeks, otherwise she might rip my face off.

Answer 10

Yes, when they get exessively long its always recommended to have them cut down. Dont cut a whole heap, just basically trim them. If you cut too far down, like our own finger nails, it will hurt ur cat and can also result in bleeding.