Do cats nails need to be cut?

[Felix]

Hi i am a new owner of a pet cat.I was wondering if i need to get my cats nails cut

[catmandu]

I think,that the answermis Yes,or they may get too long,and dig,into thier paws.But then again,I have never been able to Do John

,or Rocca,and have,to wait,for the Vet,to do the job.

[Felix]

Thank you for the information.Felix is going to the vet to be neutered on wed so i'll get them to cut his nails then if needed!!

[janelle]

Sure cut them, not hard at all. Ask your vet to show you. They have special clippers for animals but I use just a clipper I use on my nails.

Cut the ends and DO NOT GO PAST THE PINK PART OR THEY WILL BLEED. I have always clipped my cats nails and it's so easy. The hardest part is getting them to co-operate. With my first cat I waited for him to be sound asleep and he just laid there and let me do them. With my second Siamese he is a light sleeper so I need to take him into the bathroom and let him sit on the counter top. I pick up each paw and clip the nails. He likes that position better than holding him since he doesn't like to be held. Then with my little cat I hold her under my arm and clip her little nails before I put on her soft claws. She is a little demolition derby that scratches furniture so she has to wear claw protectors,

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

First of all: to Pettalk!!

Yes, it is necessary to cut your cat's nails. If your cat is stricktly indoors, it has to be done more often. My Maya is very easy to do this. She just sits there on my lap while I do the cutting. Inka, that is a different matter... . With her, I can only do one paw per day, as she can get so wild; so if I don't want to end up full of scratches..... !! Buy a special cat-nail clipper. You can buy those at any petstore. Take the smallest one you can find (the larger ones are for dogs!).
Good luck with the neutering!! What's the name of your kitten?

PS. Of course, it is always easier to let your vet do the chore

[janelle]

It's easier but expensive. LOL

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Originally posted by janelle
It's easier but expensive. LOL

I know , but the cat is going to the vet to be neutered, so ...

[Felix]

Thanks everyone for the information!! I dont think id be able to do my cats nails myself...too wild after the vet does it i'll get it done at a pet grooming shop....to be on the safe side poor fella got to go in tomorrow.Im sooooo nervous cuz i dont know what exacly is being done!!!! WISH FELIX LUCK!!!!!!!

[ramanth]

Good luck Felix!

[cruisetime]

I actually had to return the cat nail clippers - couldn't really see what you were doing with them. A lot easier with small regular finger nail clippers. Actually a lot easier with two people. Hubby holds cat and I cut nails.. Debbie

[IRescue452]

Its easier to cut their nails then to take care of their paws when they rip their nails out getting them caught on something or to buy a new couch/wall/door/bed/carpet when they use it for a scratch post.

[Felix]

My felix has never scratch on the furniture im lucky that way!!I bought him a scratching condo and he barely uses that.....he a GOOD kitty cat

[RedHedd]

I do my two's nails myself. It's not easy, they're both wiggle-worms and scream bloody murder - you'd think I was killing them! I wonder what my neighbors think but it's a lot cheaper than having the vet do them and it's realy not THAT difficult.

I find the small scissor-type of clippers easier to use.

My RB Goldie was impossible to do - one time it took THREE techs at the vet's office to hold her down to clip her nails while she yeowled I do miss her.

[janelle]

I had to fight with my Simon to clip his nails. Only one trip to the vet for neutering so only one time for the vet to clip. LOL

But when I clipped his nails the way HE wanted them clipped he was fine. I was holding him upside down on my lap, He is a claustophobia, don't hold me tight kitty so that was way too wrong for him to behave for me. I learned he wanted to stand on the Bathroom counter top and let me pick up his paws. Then he will stand and be patient for me.

I think it's all in learning what is comfortable for your cat. They are dolls and very sweet when we understand them and how they want to be treated.

[catnapper]

Welcome to PT!

Trimming nails is oh-so fun! LOL... but it does get easier with practice. And I've found that the better the trimmers the easier the job. I started out with the small ones that you can find anywhere, and now have "professional" ones that fit my whole hand. All I can say is "WOW, what a difference" You have more control and things go much faster.

Depending on how low on the paw you go, depends on how often you trim. I can go fairly low on Harry's paw, and need to trim his nails less often than anyone else's - for some reason, his veins are not as far into the nail as the others.

Sorry if its a bit blurry, but here's Harry's nails. you can see how far back I go on him. I trim him about once a month.


Feel free to PM me for help.