We were told the vet trimmed the kittens' claws at 11 weeks old when they were neutered. We did them again at 15 weeks old, as they were like tiny needles. They were very patient about it (click that clicker & give em a treat!). They have, however, misjudged their climbing abilities since and fallen off their cat tree, at first. I guess they'll learn not to rush at it after claw trimming.

What sort of cycle of trimming should we use? I prefer to keep them regularly trimmed as it prevents accidental damage (to surfaces as well as skin.....). Is every 4 weeks too much? We had an old cat who could no longer retract his own claws and the vet advised every 6 weeks. If more frequent, she said it would make them brittle.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

I trim my cats nails once a week and two reasons for this, 1) Being a weekly ritual with treats afterwards my cats grew use to it and it's made for a stress-free task. 2) The longer you wait between trimming, the "quick" (which is the pink area where the nerves and blood vessels are) also grows out as well, so keeping them trimmed on a consistent weekly basis keeps that area from extending further out, thus reducing the chance of accidentally nipping it when trimming.

I have not heard of the nail becoming brittle from trimming too often. And if your going to get into the habit of trimming nails, always make sure you have some kind of styptic powder, which is used to stop the claw from bleeding just in case of an accident. This can be gotten from online, vet or most pet stores and only cost a few dollars.

Also make sure to have a good pair of trimmers designed for cats and above all... make sure they are sharp and clip the nail a little bit before the "quick" and at a 45 degree angle. If you feel they are becoming dull, its time for a new pair, as dull clippers can crush the nail and make them splinter. Personally I don't like the guillotine type and prefer this type:

I try to do Lily's every 3 weeks as her claws are monstrous and very sharp.

I think the brittle claw advice was maybe for an elderly cat?
(Ive not heard this before)

Personally I prefer to trim Cleo more often and clip less claw. I only take off the very tip, I never go near the quick.

Cleo is a major climber and does indeed have some trouble just after a clipping... I found it causes her less confusion if I maintain her nails at the ''just clipped'' stage (with frequent clipping), she adjusts her grip/pressure and takes more care when climbing which prevents falls. When I have let her claws grow full (for w/e reason) Cleo gets much more claw happy on furniture and carpets and its at that stage that clipping her WILL cause her to fall off a tree next time she goes up one... she has to adjust and get used to clipped claws again, this is why I think maintaining tip-clipped claws with frequent clipping helps my girl get used to her grip and climbing ability.

Some people get along fine with never clipping their Bengal/s.
For me I know my girl is not getting the claw wear that nature intended so I will always help her out with removing tips of claws.

Ive never clipped down to ''just above'' the quick myself... my vet has (when she was spayed). Cleo wouldn't be able to get up onto her favourite surfaces (where she sleeps too) if I took off her whole claws down to the quick.

I do it every couple of weeks too as once you start they seem to grow back longer!

I clip my two kittens every couple of weeks. Usually when they draw blood when playing lol (only joking)

Lisa
x

When they knead and it starts to hurt...

I trim Yuki's nails every two weeks. She complains a bit, but mostly sits still and tolerates it. If I wait much longer for a trim they start to become dangerously long and hook on everything, including flesh..

_________________
*Lena... and Yuki of course!*

I've never trimmed Raiden's nails. I believe the vet did it previously.

Only when they seem to become an inconvenience to them, i.e. when they're padding and their claws get stuck in fabric or in their toys when playing, etc.

They also get a trim before a visit to the vets, out of kindness to the vet!

So, I guess it works out to be every couple of months.