I have a kitty that has really sharp nails. I don't want to get her declawed because I'm afraid it might be hard for her to use her litter box. I want to use one of my new nail files to file down her nails a little so that they are not too sharp, but are still long enough for her to use her liter. So is it okay to do this?
2007-10-26 10:12:21 · 11 answers · asked by LD 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
She likes it when you hold and play with her paws, so the problem wouldn't be getting her to let me. I just want to know if it's OK.
2007-10-26 10:17:30 · update #1
The reason I want to do this is because when she plays with people, she leaves scratch marks, so I simply want to minimize this.
2007-10-26 10:18:44 · update #2
They are supposed to be sharp...it's a cat. And besides the cat probably won't like you doing it so you are going to have difficulty
2007-10-26 10:15:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Your kitty probably won't like having her nails filed. Their feet, and nails especially, are high sensitive and the sensation of the file on her nails will probably drive her crazy. Instead, buy a good pair of cat nail clippers (small ones for a normal size cat)--they come in different styles (I find the ones with a spring-open mechanism best because they are quick). Then just clip her nails straight across above the wick (if you're cat has clear nails, you'll be able to see the inner nerve/blood center--do not cut that or she will bleed and hurt and probably never let you get near her nails ever again). Check her nails once a week and clip when any start feeling sharp. It's fast and she'll blunt the clipped ends down as she goes about her business all week. Usually, you don't have to clip a whole lot off, just the spikey ends.
2007-10-26 17:28:42 · answer #2 · answered by Inundated in SF 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL......have fun trying to get her to let you file her nails!! The thing to do is......hold her in your arms/lap (with pillow to protect your legs), push her nail out so you can see the white "line" inside it. Then, clip the end of the nail WITHOUT going back far enough to get that white line. That's the blood supply, and if you nick/cut that, she'll bleed, and she won't stay in you lap..(or come back for more). Her nails will be blunted, but she'll still be able to use her litter....even climb, as long as she still has some nail. They'll get long/sharp again in a couple of weeks and have to be done again. As long as you don't hurt her, she should let you do it without too much trouble. Good luck.....
2007-10-26 17:23:20 · answer #3 · answered by brutusmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do not file cats claws down as they splinter because they shed the outer layers every now and then. if they are sharp (like little needles) i know they hurt. i clip my cats and kittens claws with human nail clippers put them so instead of layinf flat they are on their side then gentlely push on each toe and just trim the ends once a month and don't forget the dew claw on the side of the front legs. you can buy special clippers but i find for young cats they are too big and some adult cats don't like the sound they make. i clip 3 kitten's claws and 4 adult's claws. also get a scratching post as this keeps claws in good shape without ruining furniture
2007-10-26 17:21:46 · answer #4 · answered by kath 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get one of those special nail clippers, they are sold at pet´s stores. I clip my cat´s nails since they were kittens, now just be careful, cut the white part (only the tip) not the pink part or it will bleed. Since you mention she likes if you touch her paws it shouldn´t be difficult. The advantage is that she´ll get used to getting her nails clipped, and they will grow in a square shape, not so sharp. Make sure you give her something nice, like a cat biscuit or something. Don´t file her nails, cat´s don´t like it, they get desperated. Trust me, I´ve tried it.
2007-10-26 17:58:11 · answer #5 · answered by zarabanda77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't file the claws, you'll damage them so they start to splinter, which will be painful for the cat.
Use a nail clippers and ONLY cut the tips, where it's not pink. The pink part has a blood supply, if you cut into it it's extremely painful and will bleed like crazy. Only cut the white nail part, and don' t get too close to the pink.
2007-10-27 21:40:50 · answer #6 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, its okay to clip a little, just the tip, on a white claw you can see where it turns dark, do not clip past that, the feeling would be like clipping your nails way to short, you know how painful that can be. Then file gently. If its a tiny kitten filing should be all you need. Glad your concerned
2007-10-26 17:36:24 · answer #7 · answered by M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should invest in nail clipper made just for cats. Faster and a lot easier than trying to hold a cat and file it's nails for sure!
2007-10-26 17:33:40 · answer #8 · answered by Linzy Rae 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have 2 cats and i regularly trim their toenails using a standard toenail clipper just like you would use on yourself. when you do it use the trimmer sideways to the nail not straight on as cats have curved nails and it hard to on the nail straight on. do not cut down to the quick or the cat will bleed slightly. and do not declaw
2007-10-26 17:24:52 · answer #9 · answered by hermitofnorthdome 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. we had to do that to my cats Arby and Tango. Make sure you don't file too low. and DON'T declaw, whatever you do.
2007-10-26 17:23:27 · answer #10 · answered by Bob Stan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋