We all want to let our cats be cats and let them do the things they love, like play, scratch, hunt, and climb. But there is a “too long” when it comes to cat claw length.
A cat’s claws are too long when they develop into a curved shape. In extreme cases of overgrowth, the claws can curve into your cat’s toe pads, which can be painful and cause open wounds.
Trimming them before they get too curvy will prevent that from happening. It will also prevent ingrown claws, which can be very painful and be further complicated and dangerous if an infection develops.
While cats’ claws are supposed to be sharp, there is such a thing as too sharp! If you notice that your feline friend is drawing blood or your furniture is torn up, give their claws a check and see if they need a trim.
But even if you don’t notice a curve or extra sharpness, keep a watchful eye on your cat’s claws. Even if they’re just a little on the long side, they could still catch on things and break, which can be painful.
A cat’s claws are too long when they develop into a curved shape. In extreme cases of overgrowth, the claws can curve into your cat’s toe pads, which can be painful and cause open wounds.
That is an extreme case, and I think that is required pain here.
most of these things seem to indicate to me, the said cat is not doing play/scratch/hunt/climb enough. Many comments speak of this, but i think cats gradually and naturally wearing claws is better than discreetely done
Even if they’re just a little on the long side, they could still catch on things and break, which can be painful.
Cats didn’t evolve with upholstery. There’s not much equivalent in the wild.
So a cat’s instinct is probably to have longer claws than are safe in the modern context.
On the other end of the spectrum, my cat was fine using her scratchpads and posts for more than a decade but she’s now quite elderly and doesn’t play like that as much as she used to. Shamefully, I didn’t notice her nails had grown too long until she started limping because one had grown long enough to cut into her footpad.
i know i can search, i know why people trim claws, question is, shoul we or should we not
That is an extreme case, and I think that is required pain here.
most of these things seem to indicate to me, the said cat is not doing play/scratch/hunt/climb enough. Many comments speak of this, but i think cats gradually and naturally wearing claws is better than discreetely done
Cats didn’t evolve with upholstery. There’s not much equivalent in the wild.
So a cat’s instinct is probably to have longer claws than are safe in the modern context.
On the other end of the spectrum, my cat was fine using her scratchpads and posts for more than a decade but she’s now quite elderly and doesn’t play like that as much as she used to. Shamefully, I didn’t notice her nails had grown too long until she started limping because one had grown long enough to cut into her footpad.