I have a question for the cat people out there - My 7-year-old cat is developing thickening of the front claws. I have always kept them trimmed as he is indoors only and is somewhat disabled with a bad hip. I could only trim about half his claws last night and one is definitely ingrown. I’m not sure what to do. The claws are getting thicker and thicker. He does use a scratching post regularly (daily). He hasn’t complained about his feet at all although he overall complains about everything lately. (Cranky.) I told my H we were going to have to get him declawed. That seems okay but pricey and right now I am still trying to pay off expenses incurred for my daughter’s recent wedding.
When clipping I use a small manicuring clipper as I find that to be sharper. I do have a cat claw device somewhere, would that work better to cut through these thick claws? I don’t want to hurt him though.
I would never declaw a cat: that’s like cutting off your fingers and I think it’s cruel.
Don’t know the cat’s breed. We had a siamese that required trimming because their nails can grow into little hooks that catch on your clothing, blankets, etc. But I don’t trim the other cats’ nails because if a cat wants to wreck furniture it still will and they keep their nails trim in general by scratching and yanking off the old nail sheaths.
My first thought was that nails can thicken as a cat gets old and the only real risk is they can split and need to be trimmed. But I also understand that front nails like this can mean the cat isn’t pulling on them enough to trim them and shed the outer sheath and that can be a sign of anything from arthritis to a thyroid, etc. My feeling, btw, having lived through this, is a cat complaining means something is wrong. We had a cat that grumbled and it turned out to be heart disease.
I’ve only ever used a guillotine-type cat nail clipper and never have had a problem; like with a razor, when it no longer cuts, change the blade. Getting him to sit still while I do it is another story. Don’t nails in general just get thicker with age? For peoples as well as animals?
Like with people, as long as you don’t cut into the quick, he won’t care.
As for declawing, IMO, that seems overly drastic for this situation as well as being a bit late in the game.
I am not against declawing, but if it has to be done, it should be done when the cat is still young. The cat is seven, so it is like a 50 yr old human. The older we are, the harder we heal. Plus, you say he is using the scratch post, so it does not look like your furniture is in imminent danger.
Okay, not familiar with claw thickening. Your vet might have some suggestions.
No, I have no problem with furniture. I trained him well, not to scratch the furniture. Neither of my cats does that. They have a sisal scratching post they use instead.
I’m glad you mention he is like a 50 year old human - I hadn’t really thought of that. I still think of him as young since he acts young - still plays with his teddy bear in fact. But yes, he has taken to hollering at night. We’re not sure that the deal is. He walks around the house hollering, something he hasn’t done before. Maybe he is sundowning? Wait - that’s another thread
Your vet can help you with the immediate issue of the ingrown claw, which is actually quite simple for a vet tech to deal with, and shouldn’t cost much. After that, you can probably keep up.
Seven is pretty young for a cat. (My son’s cat is 18.)
Change in behavior often results from a change in health or a change in circumstances. Did you bring another cat into the house? Change food? Has he lost weight (which could indicate hyperthyroid, which makes cats really really hungry and obnoxious)?
We had a cat that started caterwauling at night when DS first went off to college. I think the cat was missing his favorite human. Did you recently send one off to college?
No, no changes recently in the household, we’ve been empty nesters for five years now. He has been hungrier than usual and gaining weight. It sounds like a vet visit is in order, although I was certainly hoping to avoid that. I’m glad to know most of you don’t think this will require claw removal. Just saying - it isn’t lack of caretaking on my part, I have always routinely kept the claws trimmed - I also clip the fur of both my cats since they are both longhaired. So it’s a routine we share about once every 5 weeks. The claws get clipped, the fur gets the trimmed, the bedding gets washed. Repeat.
Have you seen Inside Out? The credits, especially, when a cat appears on the screen? Yup. Cats are like that - someone’s just ran across that keyboard in their head!
Don’t nails in general just get thicker with age? For peoples as well as animals?
