Your kitten's claws

What are your kitten’s claws actually for and how can you help him to keep his in good shape?

Your kitten’s claws are not just for fighting and hunting. They have a number of other functions as well, the most important being to help him balance on smooth and slippery surfaces and to keep his grip when climbing. A kitten will also use the claws on his front paws to hold on to things. These front claws are far more versatile than the rear ones although they are nowhere near as strong.

Kittens have a very convenient way to protect their claws from damage. They simply withdraw them into their sheaths.

Your role is to examine your kitten’s paws regularly to see if the claws have overgrown. This is most likely in indoor kittens because those outside will keep theirs in trim by scratching on trees or fences. That’s why it’s important to provide a scratching post if your kitten is kept indoors (it’s better for your furniture as well).

If you notice that his claws are long, you can get the vet to cut them the first time and then take over yourself, once you know how and feel confident about doing it properly.

Use ordinary nail clippers or special ones from a pet shop. Work in a good light in order to see (and avoid) the pink dermis or "quick" growing at the base of the claw. Make sure you cut the nail in front of the quick. If you cut through the dermis, it will hurt your kitten and the cut will bleed a lot. The bleeding will eventually stop, but your kitten is much less likely to cooperate in any future claw-clipping attempt.