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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Claw Clipping

27 replies

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/05/2017 16:33

Does anyone have their cat's claws clipped? We got home from holiday yesterday to be met by a bloodstained Harry who we presume had stuck a claw in his face while having a scratch - he's got history for this and I had to remove an old claw from his chin once!

We are thinking of getting his claws clipped but I'm not sure whether it's a good idea or not. He hasn't got many teeth (no fangs) and I worry that we're taking away another line of defence. The garden is cat proofed so it shouldn't be a problem but I don't want to take any chances. Also he uses a scratching post and doesn't sharpen up on the furniture so I don't want to upset his delicate paws in case he starts on the sofa!

Thanks in advance for any advice

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 14/05/2017 19:54

I had them done 'properly' at the vets when he was in for a GA but generally, with Seniorboy, I used to help him out by nipping the tips of his claws off myself. (He was ageing and stiff/lacking in muscle power and teeth so couldn't really do them himself, back or front towards the end.) That seemed to work fine. Smile

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/05/2017 20:36

Thanks cozie. He's back at the vet next Monday for x rays (the next installment in the saga of his jaw) so I might get them to do them then. As long as it doesn't upset him any more than necessary!

How are things with you?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 14/05/2017 20:46

Seniorboy didn't seem to notice the clipping - not even the 'big' clipping. I'd ask them to do it while he's under for the X-ray. It's very quick.

Check they remember though. Smile

I'm well thanks. Missing my lad but Hey Ho.

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/05/2017 20:51

It would save more 'incidents' as he's not the most delicate cat out there!

Glad you're doing ok, I often think about you and Senior Boy

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 15/05/2017 16:39

How did he get on?

cozietoesie · 15/05/2017 16:40

Sorry. Or was it a week today? Smile

TheMysteriousJackelope · 15/05/2017 16:44

If he goes outside a lot I think I would leave it.

I trim our mostly indoor cat's claws myself. I use a toenail clipper and just trim off the pointy ends of her claws. I am careful to only take the nail, not the part where there are nerves or tissue inside the claw as that would hurt her a lot. It means clipping her claws more frequently but it saves her pain. Now she is old the claws are becoming very thick and curling into her pad if left, so it has to be done to save her discomfort.

I gently press on a pad so that a claw extends and then clip the end.

She only goes outside when I am with her and never more than a few feet from the front door so I don't have to worry about fighting other animals. We did see an armadillo in the garden last year but they both studiously refused to acknowledge the other's existence.

cozietoesie · 15/05/2017 17:16

An armadillo? I take it you're not in the UK. Wink

TheMysteriousJackelope · 15/05/2017 18:45

I am in the Southern US.

If you clip the claws it probably would be a good idea to set up a calendar with reminders to ensure it is done regularly. I used to do our cats once a month, but now her claws are so thick and aren't being worn down from walking I should really check her once a week.

glamourousgranny42 · 15/05/2017 18:51

My elderly cat isn't mobile enough to scratch so his claws need clipping. He doesn't like me doing it so I have to take him to the vet. They're really good. 2 minute job.

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 15/05/2017 19:55

He goes in next Monday cozie. I'm still wondering if I'm doing the right thing but that's a whole other thread!

I spoke to the vets this morning and they've made a note to clip his claws. They said if he went out of the garden they wouldn't recommend it due to his lack of teeth but as the garden is now cat proofed there's no problem. Luckily the only predators he should come into contact with are snails, although they do move faster than him sometimes!

We'll have it done this time and see how he goes.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 15/05/2017 20:00

I have a feeling - from observation only - that cats only use their teeth to do their back claws. Certainly, I never saw Seniorboy touch his back claws after he had all but one of his teeth removed - some friction on the floors was all he had.

If the lad doesn't go outside seriously - and he doesn't have many teeth left if I recall? - then you might have to assist him with those in any case.

Good luck to him for next Monday. Smile

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 16/05/2017 09:16

He's still got his little front teeth and seems to manage his back claws OK - he gets them between his teeth and pulls!

Now we've cat proofed he seems happy enough pottering around in the garden and he's got a mix of concrete, decking and artificial grass which he sharpens up on as though it's carpet!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 16/05/2017 11:07

Cats tiny front teeth are the cutest thing ever!

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 16/05/2017 11:56

I know! I love his little teeth, except when he grabs the skin on the back of my hand and pulls - they may only be tiny teeth but they bloody hurt!

OP posts:
Shriek · 18/05/2017 21:55

anyone looked at the skin above the little teeth, underneath the lip?

hilbil21 · 18/05/2017 22:07

Do you mean removing claws altogether or just cutting them OP?

Shriek · 18/05/2017 22:32

noone declaws cats do they? Shock

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 19/05/2017 09:03

Oh God no, he's having a manicure not being mutilated!

Shriek, declawing is legal in the US. Thankfully we're civilised in the UK and don't think it's acceptable to amputate cat's toes.

OP posts:
hilbil21 · 19/05/2017 09:09

Yeah that's why I was asking... I wasn't sure if you were in US or UK Confused

tabulahrasa · 19/05/2017 09:12

I used to get my cats done all the time at the vets when she got older, she just didn't wear them down right herself and I did try to do it myself but I could only get one at a time, lol

It didn't affect anything, they don't do them short, literally just trim the ends, she could still use them to climb and what have you.

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 19/05/2017 09:14

Sorry hilbil21, I should know that not everyone knows where I am Blush

I actually feel a bit guilty having his claws trimmed but as I've found more scabs (definitely not flea bites) I think it's necessary!

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 19/05/2017 10:54

Honestly - don't worry about it, mine got done regularly (she was at the vets anyway) she still had totally usable claws, just a bit shorter and not quite as pointy...not that you noticed either of those things apart from to look at when they were first done.

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/05/2017 09:19

Oh he's definitely having them done tomorrow - we've just been bathing the skin under his eye again where he's scratched it and it's bleeding. We've got an industrial sized bottle of hibiscrub now as it cost a fortune from the vet!

A quick question - how often do they need their claws clipped? I don't think DH and I will be able to do it but I'm worried about how many extra trips to the vet he'll need (and the cost!).

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 21/05/2017 10:12

Mine went to the vet ever 3 months, but they didn't need doing every time she went...that might depend on your cat though?

Once I mistimed it and she went specially, but it was just a vet nurse appointment I'm sure it was less than £10.