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#1
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Claws
Since I've never owned a cat before, I'm wondering how often should
claws be trimmed. She's an indoor cat probably about 8 months old (I've had her for 6 1/2 - I took her in because I thought it was too hot outside in August for her to survive on her own). I thought about declawing until I found out what that entailed and I decided to see how bad she was and she's been very good. She has 3 scratching posts that she uses and 2 scratching pads that she doesn't. Her claws don't seem like they're overly long, but it seems odd to me that she can go this long without trimming them. You can see the claws on 1 paw in this pictu http://members.cox.net/zap644/pictures/cat_toy.jpg Anyway, I bought clippers when I first got her, but don't feel comfortable trimming them unless someone were to show me how to do it. I know it doesn't feel good if I trim my nails to closely and I have no idea where to clip a claw. I guess I should ask my vet to show me - or do major pet stores do a good job at that sort of thing and not charge an exorbitant fee? PetCo is a helluva lot more convenient than her vet (literally more than 20 times longer to get to the vet than PetCo) And about those scratching posts - they all have the rope wrapped around them instead of being all carpet since she seemed to take to the rope on the first one I got. 2 of them are shedding metal staples - I clean them up as soon as I see them, but could these present a safety hazard? Obviously they would if she swallowed one, and so far it seems she hasn't. I'm just wondering if there's some sort of consensus that there's not a huge risk of cats swallowing these things. If I take them away, what would I replace them with? I suspect the reason the 3rd post isn't shedding staples is because it's relatively new. There's a few more pictures of her he http://members.cox.net/zap644/index.htm (just the first 4 links are Kitty) |
#2
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"Mike Z. Helm" wrote in message news Since I've never owned a cat before, I'm wondering how often should claws be trimmed. She's an indoor cat probably about 8 months old (I've had her for 6 1/2 - I took her in because I thought it was too hot outside in August for her to survive on her own). I thought about declawing until I found out what that entailed and I decided to see how bad she was and she's been very good. She has 3 scratching posts that she uses and 2 scratching pads that she doesn't. Her claws don't seem like they're overly long, but it seems odd to me that she can go this long without trimming them. You can see the claws on 1 paw in this pictu http://members.cox.net/zap644/pictures/cat_toy.jpg Very pretty cat. I have to say, her claws don't look any longer than my two indoor/outdoor cats' claws. |
#3
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Mike Z. Helm wrote: Since I've never owned a cat before, I'm wondering how often should claws be trimmed. Based on the pic, they need to be trimmed. Trimming once a month will do to keep them short - every couple of months works well for most cats. HTH -L. (former groomer) |
#4
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It's good to get her used to you handling her paws. I just snip the tips
off. Stay in the white part and you will be fine. Usually, I've found once a month is good. However, my two are terrible about it, so I have to do them a little at a time when they are sleepy. I've seen staples come out too, but have never had anything happen with them. I get a bit concerned about it too, but there isn't much I can think of to do about them. My goodness she is beautiful! |
#5
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"Mike Z. Helm" wrote in message news Since I've never owned a cat before, I'm wondering how often should claws be trimmed. They look about the same length as my cats. I don't think they're too long but check the back ones too. The outside sheath of the claw falls off so dont worry if you see them in the carpet or on the scratching post. Alison |
#6
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On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 00:33:43 -0600, Karen
My goodness she is beautiful! Thank you - Kitty appreciates the complement I added a few more pics from right after I took her in, but I've finally maxed out the storage on this website so that's all for tonte. |
#7
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Mike Z. Helm wrote:
She's an indoor cat Cats make very good indoor-only pets. I thought about declawing The more you learn about cats, the more you realize how much they depend on their claws. Their whole upper body is exercised by the use of their claws. If they ever get outside, they depend on their claws for self-defense and escape. And they use their claws for play. Claws are an essential part of a cat. (transposed) Since I've never owned a cat before, I'm wondering how often should claws be trimmed. .... Her claws don't seem like they're overly long, but it seems odd to me that she can go this long without trimming them. Cats shed their claws. You might notice the shells lying around. They do not have to be trimmed. I'm just wondering if there's some sort of consensus that there's not a huge risk of cats swallowing these things. If I take them away, what would I replace them with? The easiest is a 2x4 with a strip of carpet hot-melt glued to it. You do not even have to wrap the carpet around the 2x4. It could not be easier. You just cut a long strip of carpet at least 8 inches wide and glue it to the length of the 2x4. Then, of course you just lean the 2x4 up against a tall object. My cats have no problem coping with the carpet edges. They know exactly where the 2 x 4 supports the carpet. By the way, hot melt glue is easily/neatly removed using rubbing alcohol (I use a spray bottle). Good luck. |
#8
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"Mike Z. Helm" wrote in message news Since I've never owned a cat before, I'm wondering how often should claws be trimmed. She's an indoor cat probably about 8 months old (I've had her for 6 1/2 - I took her in because I thought it was too hot outside in August for her to survive on her own). I thought about declawing until I found out what that entailed and I decided to see how bad she was and she's been very good. She has 3 scratching posts that she uses and 2 scratching pads that she doesn't. I'm really glad you did not declaw her. It changes them and not in largely good ways. Her claws don't seem like they're overly long, but it seems odd to me that she can go this long without trimming them. You can see the claws on 1 paw in this pictu http://members.cox.net/zap644/pictures/cat_toy.jpg She is really lovely! Anyway, I bought clippers when I first got her, but don't feel comfortable trimming them unless someone were to show me how to do it. I know it doesn't feel good if I trim my nails to closely and I have no idea where to clip a claw. I guess I should ask my vet to show me - or do major pet stores do a good job at that sort of thing and not charge an exorbitant fee? You should ask your vet to show you just for your own comfort level. What we do is just cut the tips of your cats' claws. I hold them and my husband clips their claws. If your kitty is a wriggler I highly recommend having two people there is you want to do it at home. |
#9
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Your cat is adorable!
I was a little nervous myself about the claw trimming. She looks like a live wire so maybe wait until she is asleep or drowsy. There are several places on the net that show how to trim the claws but suffice to say, you just make sure you don't come anywhere near the pink part. Play with her paws a bit and rub them a bit before to get her used to having her paws being touched. If you are still a bit nervous, that's ok too... I am not sure about the pet store but maybe call first and ask... if not, the vet it is. That's who showed us first but we ended up looking it up on the net anyway due to nerves. Let us know how it goes. -- ..oO rach Oo. "Mike Z. Helm" wrote in message news Since I've never owned a cat before, I'm wondering how often should claws be trimmed. She's an indoor cat probably about 8 months old (I've had her for 6 1/2 - I took her in because I thought it was too hot outside in August for her to survive on her own). I thought about declawing until I found out what that entailed and I decided to see how bad she was and she's been very good. She has 3 scratching posts that she uses and 2 scratching pads that she doesn't. Her claws don't seem like they're overly long, but it seems odd to me that she can go this long without trimming them. You can see the claws on 1 paw in this pictu http://members.cox.net/zap644/pictures/cat_toy.jpg Anyway, I bought clippers when I first got her, but don't feel comfortable trimming them unless someone were to show me how to do it. I know it doesn't feel good if I trim my nails to closely and I have no idea where to clip a claw. I guess I should ask my vet to show me - or do major pet stores do a good job at that sort of thing and not charge an exorbitant fee? PetCo is a helluva lot more convenient than her vet (literally more than 20 times longer to get to the vet than PetCo) And about those scratching posts - they all have the rope wrapped around them instead of being all carpet since she seemed to take to the rope on the first one I got. 2 of them are shedding metal staples - I clean them up as soon as I see them, but could these present a safety hazard? Obviously they would if she swallowed one, and so far it seems she hasn't. I'm just wondering if there's some sort of consensus that there's not a huge risk of cats swallowing these things. If I take them away, what would I replace them with? I suspect the reason the 3rd post isn't shedding staples is because it's relatively new. There's a few more pictures of her he http://members.cox.net/zap644/index.htm (just the first 4 links are Kitty) |
#10
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Mike Z. Helm wrote: Since I've never owned a cat before, I'm wondering how often should claws be trimmed. She's an indoor cat probably about 8 months old (I've had her for 6 1/2 - I took her in because I thought it was too hot outside in August for her to survive on her own). I thought about declawing until I found out what that entailed and I decided to see how bad she was and she's been very good. She has 3 scratching posts that she uses and 2 scratching pads that she doesn't. Her claws don't seem like they're overly long, but it seems odd to me that she can go this long without trimming them. You can see the claws on 1 paw in this pictu http://members.cox.net/zap644/pictures/cat_toy.jpg Anyway, I bought clippers when I first got her, but don't feel comfortable trimming them unless someone were to show me how to do it. I know it doesn't feel good if I trim my nails to closely and I have no idea where to clip a claw. I guess I should ask my vet to show me - or do major pet stores do a good job at that sort of thing and not charge an exorbitant fee? PetCo is a helluva lot more convenient than her vet (literally more than 20 times longer to get to the vet than PetCo) And about those scratching posts - they all have the rope wrapped around them instead of being all carpet since she seemed to take to the rope on the first one I got. 2 of them are shedding metal staples - I clean them up as soon as I see them, but could these present a safety hazard? Obviously they would if she swallowed one, and so far it seems she hasn't. I'm just wondering if there's some sort of consensus that there's not a huge risk of cats swallowing these things. If I take them away, what would I replace them with? I suspect the reason the 3rd post isn't shedding staples is because it's relatively new. There's a few more pictures of her he http://members.cox.net/zap644/index.htm (just the first 4 links are Kitty) The advice I received from my vet was "half way to the qucik" which is where the pink begins. All the posts so far seem accurate, but you should still have a vet show you how the first time. I often stroke their paws between trimmings so they stay used to it and don't mind attention to their feet. Carl |
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