This post is also available in : French German
Since we spend a lot of time outdoors, we regularly walk on rough surfaces, which regularly wears out our claws. Claire doesn’t clip them, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need a little maintenance. Our favorite trunk is ideal for a good pawdicure.
In an indoor cat or an elderly cat, it’s important to trim the claws regularly, because they don’t wear out so quickly. In fact, too long claws can cause discomfort or embarrassment (the cat clings everywhere while walking), or even painful infections if the claws become long enough to grow into the paw pad.
iCatCare shows you how to do it :
One last thing : don’t declaw your cat !!
Our claws are essential to our cat life : they allow us to mark our territory, to defend ourselves, to hunt, to climb, we need them. Onychectomy is barbaric and cruel, and most countries prohibit this practice.
Unfortunately, it’s still allowed in some countries like USA or Canada : however, attitudes are slowly changing. If you want to help cats keep their claws and put an end to these useless mutilations, you can support The Paw Project which is fighting for the abolition of this practice.
I look forward to the day when declawing is illegal in the U.S. It has gone on for way too long!
I hate knowing that it is still legal in some countries to still declaw. It is a most barbaric practice.
Eric and Flynn both kept their claws naturally short and Eric never had his trimmed. I only had to trim Flynn’s in his last few months when he was mostly only going as far as the garden and not keeping them down naturally.
Mum clips out claws.
In our province in Canada, declawing is against the law as is vanity surgery(tail docking,ear clipping etc)
We are glad for that
Purrs,Georgia,Julie and JJ
Paws With Claws … it’s the only way!
Mom tries to keep my claws trimmed – I must admit I’m not very cooperative though!
Hugs, Teddy
fabric bee de surfaze oh choice for me; eye got de rite side oh de love seet
all most down ta de frame
mackerull boomer junior butter feeld
I try to do most of my cats’ nails. I would never declaw. You both look great. XO
You gave me a good idea. I should put a log in my catio for the cats to scratch on in stead of the boards on the side!
Poor Sister Dolly was declawed before we found her. The rest of us get claw trimming regularly.
We LURV The Paw Project, and City The Kitty!
Declaw is awful, and we hope it disappears from the world RIGHT NOW!
The Hubby gives Angel a pawdicure from time to time, but Da Boyz have learned to keep their claws nicely sheathed around their humans, so we leave them be. We have lots of scratchers; horizontal and vertical! The ‘O’ Cats, of course, also go au naturel, and I’ve had a few scratches from each of them, but I figure it’s my fault, not theirs!
Thanks for the info, I’m still squeemish about clipping them myself. Definitely NO DECLAWING!
I’ve never trimmed a cat’s nails. I really need to learn how to do it properly.
Mom trimmed our claws the other day–well, except for Izzy the big baby because he is a really big baby. Elliott was beginning to get stuck on things!
I am lucky all my kitties let me clip their nails! Amarula growls a little but lets me do it!
Is a cat with no claws a cat?
Just yesterday Mom trimmed my claws. It always feels good to have manicured claws.
We agree! Declwing is horrible and cruel, and should be outlawed everywhere.
We trim Gracie and Ava’s claws on a regular basis.
Ooh, I bet you got your claws nice and honed on that log! I don’t have one of those, but I do have a scratchy post with sisal. I don’t mind when Mom trims my claws. She does it occasionally when I’m trying to take a nap. Winks.
Great post.
It’s so disgusting that in some countries declawing is still legal
Thank Cat The Netherlands banned declawing…hopefully a long time ago. It’s so cruel. You both do a great job on your pawdicure Zorro and Pixie
Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend
I wish the USA would hurry up and ban declawing (and Canada too!).
Mom’s the best at keeping my claws nice and trimmed, though now and then, depending on my mood I let her know I’m not too happy about it.
I don’t trimm my cat’s nails – it was too dangerous – at least for me
I used to have several cat scratchers, but my cat didn’t use them. Now I have an old piece of carpet and he loves it.
I do some of my best claw art pieces outdoors, but for some reason, Mrs H doesn’t let me do it indoors.
Lots of purrs
ERin
This is a great post and we will soon be able to go out and use real trees for our claws. Our old fellow Buddy needs claw care and Miss Fitz clings to things but is too flighty to work with. Purrs
when one of the vets in town gets an article in the newspaper, he is shown doing a declaw…what??! Hisses:( Don’t go there pawlease…he might try it on you. Why would he let himself be shown to be doing that?? Good grief:(
I had to trim Harvey’s claws do this was do helpful!
We stand with City the Kitty. NO DECLAW.