my cats claws are really long.

[PROJECT PAT]

i want to cut them but i can't afford to go to the vet. if i use scissors, but i'm really careful would that be okay? what should i do?

[ArmsMerchant]

Leave'em be.

[PROJECT PAT]

Leave'em be.

please explain

[Aslav]

Leave them until you can afford to go to vet or buy pedi paws.

[vnorberto]

kill your cat.

problem solved.

[mouse]

you can use a nail clipper

[PROJECT PAT]

you can use a nail clipper

that would be awesome. is there any special technique to using it on a cat? can someone else verify that it won't hurt him?

[T.K. Baha]

Your cat is gonna shit if you try to clip its claws.

[ShutMeUp]

It won't hurt him but cat nails are different to human nails. There's a part of the nail called the quick, which is the part that contains nerves and blood vessels. I never did master the art of trimming my rat's claws by myself, I had to get a friend to hold the rat whilst I cut his claws. You can use regular human nail clippers but make sure they're sharp, otherwise they'll just crush the nail. Ideally you want cat nail clippers with a rounded blade.

http://www.hoppybunnyrabbit.com/Picture%20035.jpg

If you're decide you're going to do it yourself then use this as a guide -
http://www.catcaresociety.org/images/trim.gif

http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm < you might want to read that too.

If you cut the quick then obviously his nail will start bleeding. I used to use corn starch as a subsitute for styptic powder.

Oh and if you don't already have one get him a scratching post. :)

[Dark-Morningstar]

Does your cat play outside? If the answer's no, then that's why. Natural wear on wood, concrete, and rock should keep them short.

They can be filed if your cat will sit still long enough, and yes, the clicky nail clippers will work fine. The quick is easy to see - it's pink, and very obviously in the middle of the claw. Scissors will work, but if they're not really sharp, you'll crush the claw and/or have trouble getting the right line.

[hackzach]

i want to cut them but i can't afford to go to the vet. if i use scissors, but i'm really careful would that be okay? what should i do?

Don't use scissors. if you cut too deep, your cat is going to bleed, and your cat won't like you very much. Nail trims are less than 20 dollars where I work, and the doctors have the appropriate tools to prevent damage.

Edit: someone already mentioned the quick

[Syphilis]

I like long claws on pussies.

[Kinkou]

my claws are long too. not sure what to do about it.

[Obbe]

Leave'em be.

That's fucking bad advice.

When cats get older they stop giving a shit about taking care of themselves. If their claws get too long and you don't cut them, they'll curve back around and cut into the cats toes, very painfully.

[Jack]

I like long claws on pussies.

:hrmph:

[hackzach]

my claws are long too. not sure what to do about it.

I can help you out with that.