stupid question...about cats

[HoundLover]

okay,..i know this is a stupid question...but has anyone ever tried to file a cats nails? im just curious to see if its possible to do LOL! also how many of you guys shave the cats pads (insides like a dogs) too? i was told NEVER to do this (yes by the same lady who told me you couldnt shave up the back of the leg and the top of the foot to get it looking nice).
JC
Hound

[Raggs]

I've never filed a cats nails. I doubt they would hold still long enough for it. I have shaved inside cats pads before. No problem. But then I'll do a lot of things to cats that other groomers would dare do. I'm fearless, what can I say. If it has to be done, then it has to be done.

[Butterfliekisses]

i have never tried to file a cats nails, but i do shave the pads. dont know why you shouldnt??

[HoundLover]

i have no clue why you couldnt shave the insides of the pads either! all she told me was that it couldnt be done. that you NEVER shave inside a cats pads. i figure itd be like doing a tiny dogs pads...i didnt see why you couldnt do it. then again she was known to be snotty so i didnt ask questions...just kept my mouth shut LOL!
Hound
hm...i dunno...maybe try and file a cats nails? LMAO!

[seleste]

the only stupid question is the unasked one

I've used a soft emery board to file cat's claws before, though not often. But sometimes even when clipped they can have a fine point, depending on the thickness of the nail and the length of the quick or they can be a little jagged if the nail clipper is dull. Only needed a couple of light strokes with the emery board to get a smooth finish. I've never dremelled a cats nails and wouldn't for fear of taking off too much too quickly. Although I've never used a dremmel at all, when observing our nurses using one, it seems to vibrate a lot more than a clipper. Not sure how well a cat would respond to that.

The "NEVER" shave a cats paw pads theory reminds of the recent thread discussing why so many groomers are opposed to change. Why NOT shave the paw pads?? Some cats have so much fur there it's ridiculous. And if the owner's home is mostly or all hardwood floors it can be hard for a cat to get traction with too much hair around its paw pads. Plus if the owner uses clumping litter and the cat often has matted fur in the paw pad, shaving is the only option. I don't shave the paw pads as a rule, unless the owner requests it because some clients prefer the long toe tufts. Personal preference and practicality are the determining factors.

Stacey

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

It wouldn't HURT the cat, but if you file them I wouldn't use a dremel, lol...can you just see the cat flipping out? IF you get the cat's hair caught in it, it would be a bad day for you and kitty. But I think an emory board, as Seleste mentioned, would be a good idea. I hadn't thought of filing cat nails before!

Seleste, I don't go "into" the pads to shave, but I do go over the top so I can see their little pads---I don't think they were meant to walk on hair! I am with you one that one!

Tammy in Utah

[Maggy]

I was always taught to skim the hair with a 30 so it's even with the pad, but to never go between them.

The kitty I'm thinking of adopting (probably will) has medium to long hair and her feet looked tufty, so I'll probably shave hers before bringing her home because I use clumping litter.

[Helly]

There isn't any physiological reason not to shave a cat's pads out. But I don't do it. I trim excess hair, yes. But I don't spread the foot and shave them out. I've found that most cats have a time limit, and I don't want to waste any of that time on something that isn't all that necessary. There are other things more important, and I'd hate to have a cat decide enough is enough while I'm shaving pads, and I miss getting their sanitary done.

Then again, I don't always shave a dogs pads out, either. Some of them need a little hair for protection.

[rapuzzled]

Not only would a cat I think react strongly, but there nails also tend to be thin, and shread easily.
Also, definitely ok to shave the pads, lol.

[PAWS]

I have filed cat nails before, and they just flaked and shredded, it wasn't a nice smooth tip like filing a dogs' nails. I just trim them short as possible. I will trim the pad hair even with the pads with scissors, just a quick snip snip!

[Poodlefluff]

As for filing nails cats nail are grown in layers, so if you file too much you will just splinter the nail and cause way more damage than good, On the pad shaving question, I shave long haired cats paws with my Bravuras, I wouldn't bother if I didn't have those clippers, because they seem to make a clean cut with one quick and easy stroke. Other clippers n blades make me have to "dig" to much. And take too much time.

[seleste]

I also don't dig into the paw pad to remove fur unless it's matted. I was taught to use small blunt tip scissors, but I accidentally cut a cat once and never used them again. I agree with Poodlefluff that the Bravura is the best, not only for cat paws but I do all my clips with it. Absolutely love that clipper!

Also, good point about cat claws growing in layers. That's why we cat owners find nail sheaths laying around the house, often near the scratching posts. I want to emphasize that on the rare occasion I do file a cat's claw it's with a very soft board. Light light strokes - only a couple. It has seemed to help smooth the nail when the nail layers split but don't come all the way off, like a little chip.

As Helly said, it's not worth it compared to the benefits of a sanitary shave. I certainly have a couple of kitties that I could never shave their paw pads - ain't happening! LOL

Stacey

[pugnacious]

There isn't any physiological reason not to shave a cat's pads out. But I don't do it. I trim excess hair, yes. But I don't spread the foot and shave them out. I've found that most cats have a time limit, and I don't want to waste any of that time on something that isn't all that necessary. There are other things more important, and I'd hate to have a cat decide enough is enough while I'm shaving pads, and I miss getting their sanitary done.

Then again, I don't always shave a dogs pads out, either. Some of them need a little hair for protection.

LOL "Time Limit" !!! I love that. I generally refer to it as a "Time Bomb"!

I also just trim the hair even with the pads. The only reason I fill or dremmel dog's nails is so that they won't accidently scratch their owners. Doesn't really seem necessary with cat claws. !

[HoundLover]

ah yes i forgot that cats nails grow in layers. LOL! and as for the shaving of the pads...she just clipped the overgrown hair even with the paw pads. she told me you NEVER could go INSIDE the paw pads to shave that out. last day i worked there was a horribley bred maine coon female there....and she HATED having her nails trimmed. whew did she fight! was NOT a happy camper LOL!
thanks guys!
Hound