ideas to dull kitty's claws

[dannape]

Hello,

My mom just got a new kitty, she's now almost 6 months old, and kitty is tearing the house up...climbing up the curtains, literally up to the top of the curtains, and mom refuses to get her de-clawed, because of what she's heard of the pain it causes.

I see scratching posts and such at the stores, but is that really going to help? or just make them sharper? is there something anyone can suggest, that she could get, that when snuggles (kitty) scratches it, it will actually kinda file down the claws so they're not so sharp?

Any ideas would be appreciated.
Peggy

also, they do have the vet trim them down but it's not helping at all.

[momPaws]

I guess I am lucky with my cat. I got her 4 of those cardboard scratching boards and she uses all of them instead of the furniture. I had to train her tho. When she went for the furniture I would take the the board to her or call her attention to it. And when she would use it I would reward her with a treat. She likes using them now and does so often. I also have the vet clip her nails regularly.

Now a young kitten is a handful and I bet Traci or Tambrey will be on later with some ideas for you.

[dannape]

Are those the ones that are shaped like a half moom, almost like a little hill? If so, i guess it looked like it would sharpen rather than dull them.

I told my dad to build something, and cover it with sandpaper, plus that would be cheaper.

Thanks for your idea

Peggy

[Traci]

DO NOT use sandpaper of any sort. Not only is this going to kick up dust and risk inhalation, but it will also break/crack her nails and expose them to bleeding and infection.

Invest in a safe cat-tree, one with a solid, heavy base so it doesn't tip over. Cats like vertical places as much as horizontal, so a cat-tree is a good investment for any cat. They also have "cubbies" built into them where she can sleep. Overall, a cat-tree is a good way to play, nap, scratch claws, etc.

As for the drapes, etc, make sure ALL drapery strings and pulls are tightly coiled and tacked up so they are not dangling. Kittens can strangle themselves on drapery and blinds cords, put them up and unaccessible to cats! If she had a cat tree, and other interactive toys, she'll be less likely to climb drapes.

As for trimming claws, your parents can do this themselves, with practice. Ideally, they should have their vet show them, and have the vet show them where the cat's nail "quicks" are, these are blood vessels in the nails, and if clipped, they will bleed excessively and is painful to the cat (and also predisposes to infection). ONLY a fraction of the VERY TIP needs to be clipped, like 1/16 of an inch, if that. Kittens have smaller and thinner nails, so you MUST be careful to only BARELY clip a tiny fraction of the tip of the nail.

http://amby.com/cat_site/cattrain.html

I personally prefer human nail clippers, but used incorrectly on cat nails can cause splintering of the nail, this is why you only clip a TINY part of the tip. One also has to have a steady hand and good eyesight. I do not like the guillotine-type clippers because the end is too wide and bulky and owners often can't see what they are doing with them and end up cutting the nail quick.

In training young kittens with nail clipping, you only want to do a couple nails at a time, then release her and try again later because it is stressful for them, and they squirm and wiggle and then you risk cutting more nail or even her toes if you slip!!

How did the micro-chip thing turn out, is she healed now?

[dannape]

Hey Traci,

Thanks for remembering about the microchipping thing...she's all healead up now, took awhile, the vet still doesn't know for sure what it was, so we dont' know if the chip is still in there or not.

i will probably end up buying that for them, they are both 80 yrs old. and dont' have that much money, they've had many cats over the years, probably at least 20 or so, and just lost the last one to feline leukemia a few months ago, and swore she'd never get another one, but got so lonely, and i kinda talked her into it..but snuggles is her pride and joy, she brings my parents so much pleasure, but the sharps nails are a problem. aren't the cat trees trimmed in carpet like material? that's why i didn't suggest one, cause i thought her claws would get caught in it.

[Tambrey]

Traci said it all...and I agree with human nail clippers....I actually use the toenail clippers because they are easier for me to grip and clip...I get the cats used to it as kittens and they usually will sit on my lap and purrr...and some even extend their claws out for me....they know that if they get "Clippy Claws" they will not get stuck on the screens or furniture...or carpet on the climing posts and trees!!

[Traci]

As Tambrey said, they usually will not get claws stuck in carpet as long as the nails are healthy and trimmed.

Try to find a tree with both carpet and sisal....it is the sisal they are most attracted to, but do check it every couple weeks because most sisal is rope intertwined around a post and can get loosened and can dangle off the post, you'd simply want to cut off any dangling parts of sisal with a scissor.

It's none of my business but I'm curious. Congrats on the age of your parents, however, on average, most healthy adult cats live to 12-17 years of age, so have they made arrangements should something happen? (hospitalization, nursing, etc). Are YOU prepared to take care of and provide food and veterinary care for the cat should something happen?

[dannape]

Yes,

We made that arrangement before they got the cat, i will most definitely take care of snuggles, i wouldn't have let them get one if i hadn't.

I'm heading out to shop for them.

Thanks for all the tips everyone.

ps, grandpa lived to be 100, so we might be in the clear. LOL

Plus, they're really young 80 yr old people.. they look as if they're in their early 60's.

[Traci]

Thanks for the explanation. My grandparents were very "young" too, very very active right to the end. I'm so glad to hear you all have arrangements, most pet parents don't think that far ahead!

So, is Snuggles the kitten's name? How cute!! And, does she have a picture?

[Tambrey]

Good for your parents....and for you!!

Here are some pictures of a"house" taht my cats just LOVED..past tense...the thin fabric has since torn...
but I am saving the frame as a friend of ours does custom canvas sewing
and I want him to make a new cover for it!!