Cat's claws?

Question

My cat seems to have a problem with his claws at the moment. He keeps getting them stuck in things e.g. the carpet as he walks, the furniture if he stands up against it or your clothes if he’s sat on you. He doesn’t seem to be in pain with it just a bit surprised and panicked when he’s claws are stuck. His claws do seem quite long however he’s never had a problem before or needed his claws trimmed and I though cats do this naturally anyway. He’s always refused to use a scratching post or anything similar but like he said it’s never been a problem. Also at the base if his claws it looks red and if it’s sore – although he doesn’t complain even if you touch the red parts.

He’s otherwise fit and healthy.

Hope someone has an idea of what the problem is and how to stop it.

Thanks

Why would he suddenly need them cutting now when he's never needed it before? Is it something to do with age or has he just got lazy?

Answer 1

Cats use scratching posts to get rid of the dead sheath on their front claws and they chew them off of their back ones. Sometimes things go awry and cat claws continue to grow and need human intervention.

Claws are retractable, do you see them all the time? If he is getting caught while walking, that isn't normal but some cats do dig in when sitting in your lap or getting onto the furniture.

I would get a toy on a wand or pole and see if you can get him to use a scratching post by playing around the post with the toy. You can certainly trim his nails every week and a half or so but you will need to continue doing so or they can grow too long.

Is he grooming himself regularly? Lack of grooming can be a sign of physical problems. He may have been chewing at them all along but hasn't been lately. Cats and dogs often do not show pain or discomfort the way humans do and he could simply be masking his discomfort if the base of his claws are irritated.

Answer 2

I'm amazed to hear that you've never trimmed them before. If you take your cat to the groomers, they usually trim it for you.

It is a good idea to trim your cats claws at least once a month. I trim them whenever I get a chance, which can be a few claws today and a few more tomorrow, every other week. I trim the claws when they get pointy. Claws that are too long will cause problems-catch on things, partial retraction causing pressure where it should not.

My kittens like to scratch a sisel scratching post. You can try spraying catnip on your scratching post to entice him. Catnip does not do anything to my kittens , they just like using the scratching post/ pad. Does he scratch anything around the house? Does he scratch you? I'm impressed that his claws has never been a problem for him or you. With our sisel scratching post, you can see shaving of claw left behind from their scratching. I find that it actually sharpens their claws when they use it, so I make it a point to trim regularly. Getting accidently scratch by them leaping off you is no fun.

Trimming the claws is very easy if you have a cat who cooperates with you. Purchase a simple small nail trimmer (like a little scissor with two small arched blades coming together). Start by just playing with his paws and extending out the claws until he is used to you doing that to him then when comfortable introduce the clipper. I like to trim my kittens claws when they are busy and happily grooming their body or when they are really tired and falling asleep. I found it harder when they are paying attention to the clipper and their paws being held. They will pull their little paws away.

Answer 3

Many cats will actually bite off there nails tips if too long. Since your cat is not doing this, the claws are getting caught in everything and causing irritation. If you can, trim is claws or have the vet do it. If you decide to do it. Hold the claw up near a light and trim just short of the vein. If that is snipped it is painful and will bleed.

Answer 4

I have had cats all my life and have never had to trim their claws. But then they have all used scratching posts, rugs and the outdoor environment to scratch against so the claws have manicured themselves!

I wouldn't worry if the cat gets their claws stuck in clothes, furniture occasionally but if the claws look a bit red at the end, a check up and advice from the vet is a good idea.

I would take your cat to the vet for a professional opinion rather than take any action yourself. :)

Answer 5

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Answer 6

If he regularly goes outside, then his claws would normally wear down through use. However, if he's not going outside as often, or he's an older cat and isn't doing as much climbing etc. as he used to, this might account for them being too long.

The quick of their claws should be a pink colour. If it's red and looks sore, then it's worth taking him to the vet for a check-up. Hopefully there isn't a problem with his paws, in which case the vet will show you how to trim his claws.

Alternatively, if you want to try trimming them yourself, the web article below has photos and teaches you how to do this. If he already allows you to handle his paws, this will make the task less stresstful for both of you.

http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm

Answer 7

Yeah definatly sounds like he needs his claws clipped.

Cats tend to keep them filed down themselves by clawing at things (and when they go for a wander outside). But if he is staying in alot, they may be growing too much.

I know when my cat was a kitten and we didn't let him outside (until he was 6 months at least) his calws got really really sharp and they were getting caught in materials and he was scratching us without realising, and the Vet trimmed them, and even though it drive him mad not have sharp claws for a while, they grew back, but didnt grow back as sharp and we have never had a problem with them since and he's never had to have them done again.

Answer 8

They need clipping. I'd guess that he's going out and about less because of the colder weather - I just had to trim claws on a couple of our cats that usually don't need it.
Just use nail clippers and take the sharp tips off, as long as the clippers are sharp it won't hurt ( but he may fuss about being held still while you do it. So it's best to have a helper with you.)
If you don't trim them he could get caught up while you're not around and break one too short then he really will be in pain.

Answer 9

You simply have to clip his claws. They'll keep growing and can curl into the pads if left completly to their own devices. Or a nail could get badly caught in something and he can panic and hurt himself.

You can get clippers at the pet store. Your cat might not even mind but if he does just go slow and do one nail at a time, then give a treat and a rest, come back later in the day and do another. There is no rush. Take all week if you need to. Be sure to clip the white part and not the pink "quick".

Or take him to a groomer. For $20 it'll be done in five minutes or less.

Answer 10

You need to take your cat to the vets. My cat has 6 toes and her claws grow very quickly i advise you to have them trimmed every 8 weeks or they will grow into the pads of the skin. Very painful if you ignore this. Good luck !!!