Pets Keepers Guide Forums

Hello,

I am wondering if you should cut your cat's nails if they scratch the sofa or don't go outside to scratch their nails on a tree? Is there a risk if it get too long? Or is it bad to cut it and we should leave it like that.

Thanks for your help

No, I have never tried cutting the nails of any of my cats. I give them a scratching post to trim their nails themselves. For some of my dogs, I did have to cut their nails. Especially the Shih Tzu. Not the Bangkeaw, though. The Bangkeaw keeps its nails short by digging holes.

We clip our cat's claws. When we don't keep up with it on a regular basis, the claws often get so long that they catch in fabric and the cat cannot move, struggling and getting all hysterical! So it's best to keep them trimmed. Our DSH does a pretty good job on chewing at his claws to keep them trimmed, plus he uses the scratching posts pretty regularly (also the stairs! Grrr! ) The Tonkinese has more trouble with his claws, or maybe I just notice it more because he's always on my lap and he sleeps under the covers with me at night against my bum, so I FEEL those sharp claws! I have to keep his claws trimmed or I pay the consequences! And, yes, we still have some ruined leather furniture and stuff from their claws. Also, our cats are not allowed outdoors. It's safer & healthier to keep your cat indoors.
Here's a link on trimming claws: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/cat_claws.aspx

Cat scratch pads really do not work in my opinion. Since most cats including mine do not cooperate when you try to cut their nails, I recommend having them cut by a groomer or by the vet. I live in Key West, and I have a groomer cut my 2 year old Bengal's nails for seven dollars. My older cat is a tough customer, so I have my vet cut her nails for thirteen dollars. It ends up being about $20 per month. That is not much money considering how much stress it takes off of me in so many ways.

My fiancee and I always cut the cats' nails every two weeks or so. It still doesn't prevent them from scratching the sofa and my office chair. They have a board to scratch on and even a carpet, but they still persist in scratching our sofa. Nothing you can do about it, except get a spray. We now have a sofa cover to prevent and it helps mildly.

I trim my cat's nails frequently with a trimmer made specifically for cats, not sure I'd want to try using a human nail clipper though. It definitely helps cut down on the shredding of my furniture and I've also kept up with it more often as I just brought home a 7 week old kitten and my 3 year old cat isn't overly fond of him yet and I'd rather not have her swatting at the poor thing with sharp little daggers.

If you must trim the nails of your cats, you should use something like this:

The hole at the end of the clipper keeps the nail in place as you trim it like this:

Be very careful not to trim off too much. Cut off only the tip. If you cut too far in, you will draw blood and your cat will be hurt. Once it's hurt, you will have a hard time persuading it to let its nails be trimmed the next time.