Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would like to attempt to trim my two cats' nails and am having some major apprehension about doing this. I have a female who is about 1yr and a male who is about 5 mos. They have very different temperaments: Molly, the 1yr old, is very timid about being touched around the paw area. Only rarely, when she is extremely relaxed and sleepy - does she let me handle her paws. She has actually developed a skin eritation on the pads of her front paw (we suspect from overgrooming) and needed to have a powdered medication applied to help it heal. This might be why she is so hesitant to let me handle her paws. Ziggy, on the other hand is so relaxed and slack, and therefore easy to handle. He loves to get his paws stroked. I am more nervous about Molly. I would probably entertain the option of taking Molly to the vet to have it done - but worry that even they would not be able to handle her; and might suggest anesthetizing (hope not). Any suggestions? Also - other than the potential to shred furnitute or clothes - does NOT clipping their claws do more harm to a cat?

If you provide appropriate scratching posts for her, she may well use them rather than clothes and furniture. Generally cats keep their nails groomed by scratching, most do not "require" nail trims (I have one that is the exception to that, when she starts clicking when she walks, it is time for nail trimming!) I haven't heard of any cats that require anesthesia for nail trims, but that doesn't mean it isn't needed, just haven't heard of it. Generally, it is less stressful for the cat if you can do it at home if needed. Did the vet ever biopsy the paw to find out what exactly is going on with the wound? There are other things aside from over grooming....allergy related eosinophils are one of them, but fairly easily treated typically. Just a thought, good luck with her!
Terri
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Mia Liger Fluffy Banzai Smudge Hazy
& Midas ~ Golden Retriever and honorary cat

I trim nails when needed which isn't very often in the summer. Winter they need it more (my cats go out side). Some times if you don't trim their nails the nail grows around in a circle and grow back into the paw. When you trim Molly's nails do you hold her foot firmly? Some cats have really ticklish feet.

? Some cats have really ticklish feet.

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Jamie your right aboutthat.When i tickle Babbas back paws he goes crazy.He sure don't like it.
As far as nail clipping i used to clip his nails when he was younger but haven't for a long time.It didn't hurt him a all and kept him out of trouble.
Lou

>>I would like to attempt to trim my two cats' nails and am having some major apprehension about doing this. I have a female who is about 1yr and a male who is about 5 mos. They have very different temperaments: Molly, the 1yr old, is very timid about being touched around the paw area. Only rarely, when she is extremely relaxed and sleepy - does she let me handle her paws. She has actually developed a skin eritation on the pads of her front paw (we suspect from overgrooming) and needed to have a powdered medication applied to help it heal. This might be why she is so hesitant to let me handle her paws. Ziggy, on the other hand is so relaxed and slack, and therefore easy to handle. He loves to get his paws stroked. I am more nervous about Molly. I would probably entertain the option of taking Molly to the vet to have it done - but worry that even they would not be able to handle her; and might suggest anesthetizing (hope not). Any suggestions? Also - other than the potential to shred furnitute or clothes - does NOT clipping their claws do more harm to a cat?

Supply plenty of scratching posts and you shouldn't have a problem. Get Ziggy started now on the nail trimming while he is young. You should start on tooth brushing too. Molly may le you handle her paws more once her irritation clears up. I have one cat who had frostbitten pads when I rescued him and he is very paw shy now. So I have to have hubby hold him firmly while I grasp the paw and trim the nails. I do get whopped quite a bit. LOL. Not trimming the claws will allow them to get very long and curved under and easily snagged on clothes and furniture and carpeting and can cause the cat to pull nail out. Not to mention their sharp claws digging into soft flesh. Ouch. I do keep my cats claws trimmed. We have grooming sessions every 2 weeks. I have never seen a cat need to be anesthesized for claw trimming. The vet or vet techs know how to properly restrain the cat while trimming.
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Dottie
Proudly owned by The Catnip Crew...Munchkin,Casey,Maddie,Harley,Meadow,Ashley,Nicky and Mushka

I just had Boris's nails trimmed for the first time two weeks ago. Like you, I was very hesitant since I did not start this when he was young so I decided to take him to the vet. It took all of three minutes for them to clip his nails and it cost me $5. He was upset about going to the vet, as usual, but he calmed down just as soon as he got home. I was hesitant, but now I am glad that we had it done. As Catman 1 stated, it keeps Boris out of trouble since he likes to jump on things and his were beginning to "click" when he walked and he already had a couple of nails to come out that accidently got snagged in the carpet. He appears to have adjusted fine to the clipping although the first day or two he decided that the didn't need to use his scratching post. I guess he "felt" the difference.
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Boris's Human, Pam

Clipping nails isn't for all cats.Like i said when Babba was young i clipped his nails but they haven't been clipped for five years.Babba spends time outdoors ad one of his favorite activities is climbing trees when we go camping.It would be dangerous to clip his nails.The only thing he goes after in the house is my recliner and i bought a close stitched fabric with it and its still alright.He won't use his scatching post.
So i guess it depends on the activities of the cat if his nails should be clipped.

Yes, you are right and that is why I did not clip Boris's nails when he was young. He was outside some and tree-climbing was one of his favorite things to do-right to the top of the trees. But he lost his outside priviledges when he decided to stray too far from the house and headed down the hill to the road. He became occupied chasing a bird and just didn't watch where he was going. So he has been "grounded" and stays inside.
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Boris's Human, Pam

. He became occupied chasing a bird and just didn't watch where he was going. So he has been "grounded" and stays inside.
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ROFL.Poor Boris.At least she dosen't have a bird for a boy friend.I got to dig out the pictures of Babba and his girl friend bird.The bird would even come in the camper to get Babba.I thought for awhile that i was going to have grandcats with wings.LOL
Pam this only happen at one park we went to.When we drove in the bird would fly along side the camper and wait for Babba to come out.Sounds crazy but true.LOL

Yep, You need to post the pic in the general forum as well. I think it will make interesting conversation.
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Boris's Human, Pam

Thats a old picture Pam.We will be going on vacation in two weeks and i hope to have some new ones.Babba was three years old when that was taken.I'll bet him and Boris would have a good time together and probably would put us both in a strait jacket.LOL

Lou