Do you clip your cats nails or leave it to scratch and keep them down?

Question

My cat's nails are starting to catch on the carpet and sofa when she climbs up on it. I have a scratching post and a tough fibre door mat which she scratches on both regularly, she used to scratch the sofas alot but thank god has stopped that now! Should i also clip her claws, she is quite tame when she isnt in her mad half hour so i could try doing it myself, not sure if its best to just leave her to file them using the post.
What do you do with your cat? How much would a vet charge roughly in the uk for clipping?

Answer 1

Hi there...ideally clipping the nails on a regular basis would help keep the nails from growing into the cat's paw pads as scratching post and mats only help shed the nail's sheathing.

Here is an instructional video on how to trim cats nails by Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine for feline health: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/trimming_claws/full_movie.shtml

And a website with photos and instructions: http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm

If you need initial assistance your veterinarian can show you how to begin this regular routine, however costs vary from clinic to clinic.

Answer 2

I am a breeder of Scottish Fold cats and I also rescue cats. All of the cats have their claws clipped. If they weren't clipped, since they're inside cats, the claws would grow around into the pads on their toes and cause pain. Even though you have a scratching post and fibre door mat, it still isn't enough to wear the claws down. If they were living in an environment with a rough concrete floor that might work. I have a special scissors I got at a pet store ($4US) that has short, bent blades with a notch in one blade. I start clipping when they're kittens so they get used to it. Some never do, though. This can be a two-person job if the cats are adult. I put kitty on my lap, get kitty happy and purring and give her a treat and all the time am talking softly. Then I take the paw and gently press the claw out with one hand and clip with the other. (I am sitting in an armchair with the cat between my elbow and body and the rest of the cat on my arm so I can reach under the cat to grab the paw.) I do the rear claws with the cat on it's back, but my cats are used to being picked up that way. If kitty gets too upset about it, stop and give a treat and stop for now. You don't have to do all of them in one sitting. Just make sure kitty gets a treat afterwards so she associates it with something good. (You can do this every two weeks or wait as long as a month.)

You could also call around to vets and groomers to see how much they would charge.

Answer 3

I just got a cat and went through the same thought process. I decided to clip her nails myself since it would be a little cheaper than going to the vet (and my cat is not a huge fan of the car). Make sure you but clippers made for cats, and that you don't cut them too short. It's better to cut a too little than too much.

I find that if I catch her just after she wakes up, and isn't in her spazzy mode, she's more apt to letting me cut. Sometimes you have to do two or three and then take a break. Finally, don't forget her "thumb" claw!

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I have had cats for 30 years and NEVER cut their nails. First they don't like it and second if you do it wrong the cat can suffer badly.This is one of the reasons I believe cats should be allowed outside and not caged in the house. I have 3 at the moment and they have a couple of wooden posts in the garden that they scratch and keep their claws in order.I have never had a cat with claw problems and I have had quite a few over the years.

Answer 5

I let my cats' claws grow. But, once they start getting in the way (like you just described) I do clip them. They sell cat claw clippers, but what i found works best is human nail clippers. I just plop them over on their backs and snip them off. Be careful not to trim too far down, as cats have nerve endings and veins in their claws. You can see the difference between where is okay to clip and where is not (it changes color).

I personally wouldn't waste money for a vet to clip them when it is easy to do it yourself.

Oh, one more thing: it is good to let cats keep their claws (even if they are clipped), so thanks for letting yours keep them,

good luck!

Answer 6

I have scratching posts, too, but even though my cats use them, I still have to clip their nails. If she'll let you, just calmly hold her in her lap, and push each nail out separately. Then clip off the sharp end, but not far enough back that you get the white line running thru it. That's the blood supply, and it'll hurt like (you know what), bleed, and she won't let you do it again. So, go ahead and clip....carefully. I don't know what vets charge to do this, but you could always call and ask. Good luck....

Answer 7

i have a cat that lives inside, i clip her claws as they get too long! its fairly easy to clip them, just make sure you dont cut the 'quick' (the pink bit you can see inside) as it can be sore for them and will bleed a lot! im not sure how much a vet would charge, maybe around £10. it might be worth buying some proper animal claw clippers and do it yourself, but if you are still unsure ask your vet.

Answer 8

I clip my cat's claws from time to time when she will let me. (Some cats are better that others about this) Ask your vet (or someone else who knows) to show you how. Then maybe once a month give them a snip. That should curtail most problems.

Answer 9

Fingernail clippers! When viewing the cats nail you'll notice the tip is white or clear and a little further back you'll notice it turns pinkish..(this is the blood supply to the nail). When clipping the nails stay in front of the pinkish area and you'll be fine.

FYI: Should cost you 4 or 5 bucks at the Vet.

Answer 10

Phone a vet and ask their advice. Cats claws are not like dogs claws, you have to be very careful with cats claws.