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Cats/trimming my cat's nails

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Expert: - 10/3/2009


Question
I was told recently that if a cat's nails are trimmed there is less chance of them clawing furniture.  If that's true, I would prefer to do that than to declawing.  I found a "dropped off" kitten (approximately 3 months old) a couple of days ago and am in the process of bringing him back to health.  I would like to clip his nails, but don't want to hurt him.  Is there  anything to look for when I do that?  He's very docile so I don't anticipate a big war over this.  Thanks, in advance, for your help with this matter!  Sandy Abbott

Answer
Sandra,

Yes, trimming nails will help.  You can use a variety of devices to clip the claws.  I would start with one paw at a time.  You press gently on the toe until the cat unretracts the claw and, for now, just clip off the tips.  In time you will be able to tell where the quick is and, as long as you do not clip into the quick, the kitten will be fine.  I would reward the kitten after each session with a treat (many kittens like strained meat baby foods).

However, you also should buy or make a sturdy exercise post, long enough so that the kitten (as an adult) can stretch its paws above its head and be on its tippy toes to scratch.  A 4" X 4" piece of wood wrapped in closed loop carpet or sisal rope (or both) on a sturdy base will do the trick.  If it has shelves and or cubby holes, it ten becomes a playground for the kitten. Remember, cats operate in all 3 dimensions, so something with good height adds volume to the kittens living space.  Lastly, as added inducement for the kitten to play on the exercise post, dousing it with either catnip spray or honeysuckle spray is a good idea.

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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