Does my cat need her nails cut? Or is using a scratching post enough?
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at
7:25 pm
My cat will not use her scratching posts, but she does rake her nails across cardboard boxes, but I’ve noticed how long they are and how sharp. Does my cat need her nails cut? Or is scratching them on cardboard enough?
realme1960
Filed under: Cat Scratching Post
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You should trim them. The first person who answered is right Cats scratch to sharpen their nails.
To trim their nails I use scissors made for them and keep styptic nearby in case I accidently cut too far in and hit the blood vessel.
If you wait until they’re sleepy it’s much easier to do. They won’t struggle much, but it is best to have a second person just in case.
In good lighting look at the nail. You’ll be able to see, unless your cat has dark nails, the vessel. You want to cut below this. If you accidentally cut it use the styptic to stop the bleeding.
It’s easy to do, but don’t do it if you’re unsure about it. Have the vet or a groomer do it.
Scratching them is what makes them sharp. They should be trimmed on a regular basis like a dogs, if they are indoors. Will save your skin and furnitures life…….
Unless she is tearing up your furniture, the boxes are fine. If not trim them yourself,w/ a cat you usually need a 2nd pair of hands. And just tip the ends.
They really should be cut from time to time because if they get too long thy can get ingrown. Scratching boxeshelps them from being so sharp, but wont make them any shorter. Many pet shops/groomers or vets do it, they charge about $5.00, it’s much easier then doing it yourself, unless your cat doesn’t mind you doing it. My cats seem to behave much better for the groomer.
Cardboard and scratching posts only serve to sharpen and clean the nails. While they help the cats to relieve their urge to scratch, it doesn’t help them to maintain a good length.
I have to trim my kitty’s nails about once a month. When she stretches her little paws out to get my attention and it feels like needles, I know it’s time for a trim.
Here are some articles from the world wide web with some how-to instruction…
If you’re still uncomfortable trimming them, veterinary offices and professional groomers will do it for you for a nominal fee.
Scratching posts and cardboard sharpen the nails. They do need to be cut. If you don’t cut them, they can snag on the carpet and the cat may pull the nail off to escape. This has happened to one of my cats twice. As much as he hates having his nails cut, I’m sure the pain of pulling off the nail is much worse.
I’ve been breeding 20 years now, but had cats all my life.
We always cut our cat’s claws every three to four weeks. They spend the time in between, sharpening them up again. If your cat doesn’t use the scratching posts, rub Catnip all over them, either fresh, or you can buy Catnip oil through your vet or a good pet shop. Also attach toys, and dangly bits to the posts, and encourage your cat to use these toys.
Claws should be kept trimmed for several reasons, it saves wear and tear on your curtains, carpets and furniture, threads being caught and pulled on your clothes, helps avoid being scratched, (and getting infected from scratches).
if you do trim her nails be really carefull not to cut them to short.
You should keep her nails trimmed. If you’re not confident in trimming them, have your vet or a tech show you how. They could grow around and back into the foot pad if you don’t keep an eye on it. Like anw122 said, it’s easier when they’ve been sleeping.
I guess I’m the nay-sayer. I’ve have a total of 5 cats and only trimmed the nails of the first….once. He went spastic scratching and clawing at everything until they were sharp again. I’ve never trimmed again. The vets I’ve had have never said anything about trimming. I suppose on your next vet visit (or call the office) ask.