memes

My 15yo cat has never learned how to use scratching posts or anything, despite having an assortment and a whole other cat to show her how. If I don't trim them she gets stuck in things, and they grow really thick because the outer layers aren't being shed. I'm assuming that's more painful to walk/jump on than extending her claws to trim them.

It's really not the same as declawing, which is like removing a joint from their fingers.

She's almost 20 years, arthiritic and on anti seizure meds. She has multiple scratch posts and pads but doesn't or can't use them enough anymore (even with catnip inducement.)

As a result, without trimming, she gets her claws stuck and has yanked one out quite painfully.

This is how I can best help her as she ages, as recommended by our vet. (And, while she doesn't love it she sort of tolerates it, just occasionally tries to leap from medicine couch to the treats and skip the whole trimming part.)

Scratching sharpen their nail as they shed the outer layer of the nail. By trimming you only take off the sharp part of the nail to blunt it, not the whole claw. If you ever were a cat person you would know they tend to get stuck on fabrics furniture if they climb it, now imagine you're not at home and they're stuck there helplessly.