a scratching post will not prevent the nails from growing. One way or another, stress or not, they MUST be clipped. Did you ever notice how as they grow the curve under?? well after too long of a time, they WILL grow into the flesh of the pad and puncture it. A very bad situation! I would suggest possibly putting it off for as long of a time as possible (minimizing the number of times she needs to be stressed) but realizing the heath risks of not doing it in time.