How often should I cut my cat's nails?

Question

I don't agree with declawing but the trouble is my cats' nails grows oh so quickly. How often should I cut the nails so I can know that he won't hurt me or any of my family members when he's playing. Any reccomendations?

He will jump onto my back and literally dig his claws into my back. This hurts like hell if you could only imagine so no, I refuse to NOT ignore the nail problem!

Answer 1

You'll notice when its time when:

A) it draws blood/hurts when they scratch/knead you
and
B) when they get suck to things like bedspreads, carpet, and furniture.

Cats like to groom their own nails (that's why they kill yur furniture), so get a scratching post. Since yur cat's nails grow so quickly, get one that's carpet but'll stand yur cat's constant scratching. Almost like the carpet in school portables. (if that makes sense) Good luck and give yur kitty a pet for me. lol.

Answer 2

I always have done their nails once a month. But my kitties have plenty of scratching areas, including a plain old 2x4 they work on. Try to find someone to help, and it is easier if you wrap kitty up in a towel and pull out one paw at a time. I have one cat who has been getting her nails cut for 11 years, every month, never got hurt, and she screams bloody murder every time. If you do draw some blood, cornstarch, or even flour will staunch the drops.

Answer 3

I would say check in 2 weeks, it depends on how old the cat is. My cousin's cat is a kitten and his nails get sharp quicker, and my cats are 4 and their nails take longer to sharpen up, but are very thick. They also sharpen their nails on my closet post, which leads to more problems. Just cut them once they start to hurt you.

Answer 4

I clip my cats nails whenever I feel they are too sharp (or he starts digging on the furniture).....about once a month, give or take.
It is good to have some sort of scratching pad or post for him. My cat loves his, and saves on the furniture.
Cats will dig and scratch things to file their own nails, it'll make him feel better.

Answer 5

I trim my cats nails whenever I notice them getting too long. Usually about once a month. The best time to do this is when your cat is sleeping. By the time my cat realizes what I am doing she is too sleepy to run away.

Answer 6

When i first got a cat i planned to cut and was encoraged by my boyfriend not to.
3 years into owning three of them, they only use nails if they see i have a fabric on.
I think i have been stabbed once, acidently as one was hoping on the bed, and never scratched.
Why dont you try not cutting them and see?

Answer 7

I usually do it by my "ouch" response when a cat starts kneading on my lap!

The nails do grow quickly it seems and they also grow unevenly. So it best to get the cat used to having its paws "massaged" and it is a pleasant experience. Then you can just push them out and see which ones need to be trimmed.

Answer 8

If it is an outdoor cat, don't clip the nails. The cat uses them for protection. Indoor cat, you can get them clipped every couple of months.

Answer 9

When they get sharp, and you go "Ouch" when he claws you. I have to cut my cats nails at least once a month.

Answer 10

About every two weeks -- unless your cat goes outside on a regular basis. Indoor/outdoor cats tend to grind their claws down a bit when they walk on concrete and pavement...and when they climb trees. If your cat is strictly an indoor cat however, every two weeks ought to do it.