Cat Claws

[boodle]

Were would i be best taking my pet vat miffy for his claws trimming a grooming parla, the vets or buy a paor of clippers and do it my self?

[mrs.pudding]

I could be wrong, but I'm not sure that cutting the claws of a cat is a very good idea.  Somehow, they are far more 'part' of a cat than, say, a dog's claws.  They need them for climbing, catching, etc.  I know they can be a damn nuisance - and hurt - but surely that is the point of them!  Oh dear - is that a pun that's sneaked in there?  Sorry!

[chrisandbex]

hi i am Christy and it is my cat we are on about ,he is a show cat and the reason i want his clws doing are so he cant claw the judjes !!!

[woofgang]

He will still be able to claw the judges whatever the length of his claws and if he wants to then maybe he isn't enjoying being a show cat and you shouldn't take him. DO NOT try to cut his claws yourself, you could hurt him badly and I am sure that you don't want to do that.

[Gilli]

Only if a vet suggested that for some unusual reason, my cat's claws were too long would I ever have them clipped - and only then by the vet him/herself.

A cat's claw contains a "live" middle, and you have to be very careful clipping them so as not to cut into this. It would be like when a human rips their nail back to the skin - very painful.

Most cats who are mobile shouldn't need their claws clipping as daily activity should wear them down to a natural length. My cats scratch the fence posts and trees outside and though they have been known to have a go at the furniture - which, admittedly, is annoying, this is done without malice or mischief and is the cat's way of putting their scent onto what they consider is theirs.  I have found that a stern shout at them, a water pistol and a well aimed cushion does eventuallyu deter them. It's also a good idea to provide indoor scratching posts/toys both to encourage them away from the furniture & fittings, and, to ensure "wear and tear" of the claw if they can't or won't go outside.

If the cat is a nervy type who does lash out at strangers, I wouldn't take them to a cat show as the general hub-bub, and other cats would frighten them even more.