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The litter tray

do you get your cats claws cut?

7 replies

purplefeet · 20/11/2010 21:14

I have 2 cats, sisters aged 10.

Since going on maternity leave 3 years ago and working part time for past 2 years, they very rarely go out. They have 2 catflaps, but choose to be inside with us.

They're both female, one is black and white and one is tortoiseshell.

The tortoiseshell's claws have become very long recently, the vet said he doesn't like clipping claws as they can grow back incorrectly. However he would do it if I really wanted him to. I decided not to, but wondered if anyone has their cats claws clipped and if it's caused any problems.

OP posts:
OldLadyKnowsNothing · 20/11/2010 21:17

Never had to, mine have always stropped their claws on the furniture/outdoors. I do have one indoor cat atm (he's literally too stupid to be allowed out) and he strops them on a sort of twine rug I have. (He's missing a back leg and can't stretch up on the one he has) Try an indoor scratching post?

OopsDoneItAgain · 20/11/2010 21:20

We always get our (elderly) cats claws cut by the vet. They just aren't active enough anymore to sort them out themselves. No problems with it, and the vet is happy to do it (for a small fee!) Tbh it needs to be done - one of them had a claw that had grown round and back into her foot and we hadn't noticed Sad

beautifulgirls · 20/11/2010 21:36

Cutting a cats claws does not make them grow back incorrectly Hmm - no idea where your vet got that idea from! However, as a vet I will usually only clip claws if they are long and causing or likely to cause issues, and then will usually try and leave the hind leg claws untouched (usually these are a bit shorter anyway) if the cat(s) go outdoors, as they need them to grip when jumping over fences etc - quite essential when running away from other cats and the like. Indoor cats I have no concerns about cutting all claws if/as needed.
Many vet surgeries run nurse clinics where claw cutting can be done for a small fee which is usually significantly less than seeing the vet for a consult.

maryz · 20/11/2010 21:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ClaireDeLoon · 20/11/2010 22:01

I did have to with my old cat (from him being about 17 on) as he stopped using his scratching post/walking as far. It was his back claws I had to do as he'd just chew his front toenails. Which is gross when they're sitting beside you on the sofa.

I just did them myself but never short and he was very placid.

purplefeet · 21/11/2010 19:35

Thanks for the advice. The front claws are so long that they don't fully retract. The cats do scractch up the furniture and carpets, I might try a new scratching post.

Thanks beautifulgirls, I'll see if my vets runs a nurse clinic.

OP posts:
cate16 · 21/11/2010 19:49

My cat is happy to let me trim hers, I do it with a pair of nail clippers out of a christmas cracker. Only do the front paws.

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