Conference misery::feline_v1

I clip my cats' claws one paw at a time. I reward them afterwards with a
dried fish. I use a scissors type clipper and don't cut more than about 
1/16" depending on the claw. I try and check the lengh every couple of days
when I brush them. I haven't noticed any difference between winter and summer.
This amount of cutting means they are not defenseless but stops wounds from
roughhousing. 

If you want to cut farther there is still a margin of error but remember
that these are living parts of the cat and cutting extravagently will cause
bleeding.


							.wIx.

You must be careful not to cut into the quick.  If you look at your cats
claws you will see some pink skin inside the nail which comes to a point.

As long as you don't cut into this you won't hurt your cat.  I leave a little
extra past the quick.  I use nail clippers and cut both the back and front
when need (once a month).  If your concerned about your cat scratching you
might try a scratching post.  My cats like tall scratching posts (and wide
enough so there arms just go around it).


e

Clippng the nails shouldn't make any difference in fighting.  When they're
being serious, cats fight with their back claws.  Leave these alone when you
trim; they don't get very sharp anyway--mostly they're just thicker and
stronger that the rest.  I trim the front claws on my cats, just a 
smidgeon at a time.  I only take off the very point.  The only cat that
I've ever had to trim very often was a double-paw.  He had too many claws
and they ggre out too fast for him to wear them down.  He neve minded being
trimmed so log as I didn't touch nything but the spare claws on his back
paws.

denise

Becky and Josh get their claws every couple of weeks or so - usually about
the time Becky's claws start getting caught in the carpet when she walks.
Then they get trimmed almost to the quick (more time between trimmings!).  
I used to use a regular people nail clipper, but have converted to the 
scissor-like claw clippers available in pet shops - they seem to do a neater 
and faster job for me. (Becky really hates having her claws clipped. As a 
result of her squirming, I cut one too short once with the people-nail-clippers,
and now she remembers every time I get to that foot!)  

B and J are both indoor cats, so they don't need their claws for much of
anything besides destroying my furniture. As a result, I clip all claws,
front and back.  The back ones usually don't need it as much as the front
ones do, though.

Kathy

Claw-clipping's not difficult, but acclimatize your cat to it.  Also, a
scratching post, of which I approve, helps them stretch certain ligaments
and sharpen their claws.

Steve

Both my cats prefer their cat tree for stropping their claws. They will run
up one or two tiers and frantically claw away. Usually when Cisco does it
the kitten charges up after him but on the other side of the trunk and mer
ruthlessly attacks him. Cisco used to give him a couple of whaps to the head,
but with the new improved 5lb. kitten he must wrest his way free. It's great.


							.wIx.

Can a regular "people's" nail clipper be used, or should one use a proper vet's 
clipper?  If the latter, what kind is good?  (How much does it cost?)

    								/mark

You can get a scissor type claw clipper at any pet store or at most feed
stores. They only cost a few dollars. I have found that they make a cleaner
cut than a human fingernail clipper. The latter tended to chrush the claw
a little making it split.


							.wIx.

I had a marvelous cat named "Black Devil" whom we decided to make
an indoors only cat. We had him neutered and the front claws re-
moved. "Black Devil" decided he did not want to be an indoor kitty,
the lure of the great outdoors was stronger than any of us. I was
extremely worried everytime he dashed outside, because of having
those front claws removed. I knew that he wouldn't be able to de-
fend himself, or even climb a tree to escape a passing dog. But 
I just couldn't find a way to keep him indoors, I mean, talk about
your stubborn cats. He was adamant!! The amazing thing was that
"Black Devil" was still able to hunt, and not just grasshoppers...
he caught mice and birds also. Don't ask me how..but every once in
awhile, he would present me with his trophys. He would come in at
night to get some rest, but at 4:30 AM every morning, he would
yowl and fuss til someone let him out. "Black Devil" is no longer
with us, he became a victim of the road when he was about two. I
never understood his need to be outside when some cats are so
happy and content to stay in a nice cozy home. I do know I'll never
get another cats claws removed until I know which way they want to
live. Indoors vs. Outdoors. My present kitty "Mr. Hunter" is an
outdoors cat, complete with all his original equipment.

-jb-

    I too have a cat who refuses to stay in.  He is a hugh orange and
    white angora, neutered and gentle as can be.  But, he will growl
    and carry on until we can't bear it anymore.  He comes in to eat,
    say hello or if the weather is bad he will come in.  Otherwise,
    he goes absolutely crazy to go out.