topic Re: My cats nails in Community Chat

My cats nails

susan423 — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 01:56:14 GMT

Why do all my cats not retract their nails when they are loving on me. I have so many scratches all over my body that people are starting to ask questions :-) I know they don't mean to. And they are always getting their nails caught on my clothes, or my blankets. Even their scratching post. I'm constantly getting them loose from things. This morning one of my guys was on my shoulder and kneading like they all do and got her nail so far in to my back that my husband had to help us get it loose. Another little guy will reach up to my face with such a loving look and then the nails come out and she pulls her nails down my cheek. Most of the time I can see it coming and gently grab her paws. What causes this and what can I do about it?

Re: My cats nails

GCR18 — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 04:27:05 GMT

When my boy was a kitten, I touched his paws alot. I wanted to get him comfortable, so I could clip his nails. I clip the tip off, so I don't get scratches. It's worked for us. Once and a while when he's at the vet for a checkup, I have them cut them back.

Re: My cats nails

susan423 — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 04:49:23 GMT

On 3/4/2014 graycatsrule said:
When my boy was a kitten, I touched his paws alot. I wanted to get him comfortable, so I could clip his nails. I clip the tip off, so I don't get scratches. It's worked for us. Once and a while when he's at the vet for a checkup, I have them cut them back.

Oh Thanks. I didn't know you could do that. I mean, I didn't want to do anything to harm them. The last time I had cats was when I was a kid and I don't remember us ever clipping their nails. But they weren't scratchers either :-) I'll do that next time we go to the vet.

Re: My cats nails

Another new name Sue — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 20:08:48 GMT

Move their paws away from you gently when they are scratching, saying no in a soft but firm voice.

You can clip their claws yourself, it's easy. I use a regular human nail clipper to take the tips off. You gently squeeze their paws in the middle to make the claws come out. Just don't clip into the part where you see color through the claws because they will bleed. If they are uncooperative, try when they are sleeping, too drowsy to resist. Maybe just do 1-2 claws at a time in the beginning. You don't want to pay anyone to do this, right!? Maybe the cats you had as a child went outside and scratched on trees which may have kept their claws shorter.

PS There are youtube videos. Check them out.

Re: My cats nails

Feline Fine — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 08:00:30 GMT

Good advice so far...

But also, it's recommended that pet parents keep "Kwik Stop Styptic Powder" on hand in case you accidentally nip the "quick" of their nails. That's the pinkish-colored fleshy part just below the claw's' translucent tip.

You can get it just about anywhere, but I would go to pet supply stores first. It will quickly stop the bleeding. You can find it and the items listed below at Amazon as well.

Please make sure you use a claw trimmer/clipper that's specifically just for cats if you can; they're not expensive. They're easier, quicker, you'll have much better control & less slippage, and it's more comfortable for the cat. Some kitties have more-sensitive nails than others.

Here's two great ones:

JW Pet Company GripSoft Cat Nail Clipper

Ultimate Touch Cat Claw Clipper

And no, I don't have any connection to any of these companies. But, I thankfully do have decades of kittycat experience. 8)

Bless you for caring, doing your research, and being extra-careful!

Re: My cats nails

susan423 — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 18:18:03 GMT

Thanks guys so much for your advice. I have a clipper that I use on my dogs nails. Would that work? I'll try to do it myself but I'd rather pay someone to do it then risk harming them.

Happygal.....Yes, the cats I had as a child were outside cats. But these cats were born from feral cats so the were outside all last summer until I tamed them. Now they are inside/outside cats. Thanks for the suggestion to go to youtube. I'll check that out.

Re: My cats nails

Feline Fine — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 22:07:39 GMT

On 3/6/2014 susan423 said:
Thanks guys so much for your advice. I have a clipper that I use on my dogs nails. Would that work? I'll try to do it myself but I'd rather pay someone to do it then risk harming them.

Happygal.....Yes, the cats I had as a child were outside cats. But these cats were born from feral cats so the were outside all last summer until I tamed them. Now they are inside/outside cats. Thanks for the suggestion to go to youtube. I'll check that out.

They should, but cat's claws are different from dog's nails. Try it, though.

In addition to the vet's, you can always go to a professional groomer to get their claws trimmed. And many have mobile units where they'll come to you!

Re: My cats nails

Another new name Sue — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 00:08:52 GMT

Susan, you won't harm them. When you start you can just clip the tiny tips until you get a little braver to go closer. Don't be afraid. I hate to see people spend $ on stuff they can do at home themselves.

Signed,

Susan

Re: My cats nails

Cheryl A Sophie — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 07:11:49 GMT

Clipping kitty nails is so much easier then dog nails as they are thinner. With our cats I also used human clippers, the kind drugstores carry, easy-peasy! Dog nails are much thicker stronger. When I got Sophie I got a traditional dog guillotine nail clipper. Sophie didn't really fight when I trimmed them but tended to lick my hands and her nail, usually as I was clipping! Poor girl was quicked several times as hard as I tried nipping just a little at a time. She also has dew claws on all 4 paws. I finally got a Dremel and doing better with that.

Re: My cats nails

Luvitorleaveit1 — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 15:42:55 GMT

I am chicken still and take my cat to the groomer and have her nails clipped for $10, I am still afraid of hurting her even though I know it's pretty simply to do.

Re: My cats nails

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 03:40:05 GMT

To the OP ......... when was the last time you had a tetanus shot?

Re: My cats nails

susan423 — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 21:44:17 GMT

On 3/9/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:
To the OP ......... when was the last time you had a tetanus shot?

Never.........Why??

Re: My cats nails

Desertdi — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 23:09:49 GMT

I am also a scratched-up mess. Can't touch Kitty's feet.....no way......never. Get the arched back and hiss. She is a rescue, and I assume someone had mistreated her.

Re: My cats nails

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 23:21:57 GMT

On 3/12/2014 susan423 said:
On 3/9/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:
To the OP ......... when was the last time you had a tetanus shot?

Never.........Why??

If you're getting scratched a lot and it draws blood, it would be a good idea to get a tetanus shot .... ask your doctor about it next time you're in for a check up. If I'm not mistaken, people should get their tetanus shots "updated" every 10 years.