How long should i wait until I start trimming my kitten's claws?

Question

My two kittens are about 9 weeks old right now. How old should they be until i can start trimming their claws?

Answer 1

Why the heck do you want to trim their claws? I can't imagine they can be too long at the age of 9 weeks, they are babies!
We never ever trimmed a claw of any of our cats - they did it by themselves. They also used some of our furniture too, OK, thats how cats are - so what? If you've got a problem with that you shouldn't keep cats at all..

Answer 2

Start now. But, a word of caution... attempt it only when they are in "rest" mode, after they have eaten and are sleeping. When they are active, alert or playful you will end up struggling with them and they will hate the association of having their nails clipped with that. Make it as easy for them as you can. You might even give them a treat after. In addition, if you are unable to do all of the claws at once, just do one paw or a couple of them on one paw and then come back to it when you have the next opportunity. Have the clippers handy in a spot nearby where your kittens often rest or where they might generally cuddle up with you. Sometimes you will have to get your kitties used to you touching their paws. They might not like it. So, make sure you regularly touch their paws and toes in a gentle and loving way so they can get used to it. Then when you go in to clip its not this huge trauma for both of you.

When you clip, make sure you just get the little hooks for now. On cats with black or dark claws it can be really hard to see where the "pink" starts. The "pink" is the area in the claw where the nerve endings and the blood vessels are. You can see the pink if you extend a claw and hold it up to the light or put a light behind it. Make sure you leave some space between that and where you clip. Otherwise it can really hurt and will bleed. Your cat will be mad and you will feel sad. When the cats get bigger it may be easier to get more because it should be easier to see. And last of all, make sure that you get one of those clippers especially made for cats. Do not use a human nail clipper. This can cause splitting of the nails in a cat and be painful for them. You might ask your vet to recommend a pair. I found out myself that the best isn't necessarily the most expensive.

Scratching posts are mainly to help curb cats need to stretch their claw muscles and they have a instinct to do that. It definetely will NOT dull their nails. My cat always uses the posts to scratch and if the claws get long they are razor sharp. The nail particles they you see next to scratching posts are called "nail casings" and are the outer part of the nail that is shed. I don't know where people get the idea that this somehow negates the need to trim. Check their paws about every two weeks or so for growth. That should be often enough to keep things well trimmed. This is such a better option than declawing and it makes things easier on your furniture and your skin. Just make sure they don't get outside because essentially they do not have the protection of their claws for defense when they are trimmed.

Answer 3

Why do you want to trim your kitten's claws?

Train your kittens to keep their own claws trim with a scratching post. If you are worried that your kittens will scratch you, you need to encourage positive play behaviour by stopping when they get too rough.

Claws are very important for cats who go outdoors as they need to defend themselves if they are attacked and they help them to climb.

If you insist on trimming your kittens claws, please ask your vet to do it. You could hurt your kittens if you are inexperienced.

Hope this helps.x

Answer 4

Right now! Kitten nails grow very fast and are very sharp.

Don't worry if you can't get all the ten front ones on each kitten at one time. Just do a few and go back to it later. Kittens are very wiggly and you don't want it to become a stressful situation for them. Also when they are sleepy in your lap make a habit of "massaging" the pads of their feet. That's pleasurable for them and makes handling their feet a pleasant association.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter how old they are. You can start trimming as soon as there is enough to trim. Just don't cut too close to the pink part inside their nails. Otherwise, they'll be a major pain when you try to clip their nails later on.


The sooner the better, really, because that way they'll be used to it and later on in their life, you'll be able to clip them without much fight.

Answer 6

hello, I surely have had some cats over the years and have trimmed their nails. i do no longer think in declawing the two, that's horrendous. They do sell cat clippers in puppy shops, walmart etc. i might get a smallish pair no longer a pair for canines. i'm going to be trustworthy with you i take advantage of toe nail clippers on my cat. I take a seat on my sofa or mattress (crosslegged) wrap my cat in my comforter and basically have the paw i'm engaged on out. carry the paw including your thumb on the staggering so as which you will squeeze the nails out to clip. do no longer decrease too a strategies down, you will see the exterior and comprehend the place to stop. The dew claws on the front ft are problematic yet while no longer executed would desire to curl up into the paw. in case you will have yet another individual help you. communicate soothingly on your cat and have a handle while executed. you will possibly no longer have the ability to do all paws yet attempt to and verify out to do it rapid. they are such little biters lol Sorry for writing lots purely prefer to help. I surely have additionally executed force by utilising clippings while he's laying in a container together with his paws over the realm. do no longer think of he likes being on his lower back too lots. desire a number of this facilitates.

Answer 7

You can start now. They are so soft, you can even use regular nail clippers. Getting them used to it is a bonus for you. Play with their feet a lot and trim ever few months (more as they are growing kittens, less, later in age).

Answer 8

If your cat has a scratching post you shouldn't even have to cut there claws.Many times on our scratching post you will see that they actually shed the outer nail.If you find they are too long though be very careful you can really hurt a cats foot by doing this.If it's not done properly.

Answer 9

When they can jump up on a bed or sofa. Can't remember how many weeks that is. Otherwise, they need their claws to help them get up, and "save" themselves when they get into trouble.

Answer 10

You could have already started. My kitties were 5 weeks when I started snipping the very end off of the nail.