Ragdoll Cat Forums

Sometimes when I trim my cats nails one will sometimes split. Should I pull it off when it does this or leave it and wait for him to get it off himself?

Thank you!

What type of clipper are you using?

We used to use regular nail clippers that would do that. I switched to the 'scissor-type' with the scoop and don't have that problem any more....

Martine Wrote: What type of clipper are you using?

We used to use regular nail clippers that would do that. I switched to the 'scissor-type' with the scoop and don't have that problem any more....

Hi, I am using scissor-type with scoop they are Front Paws, but I do see splitting from time to time. What brand do you use, maybe that will help?

Thanks

Personally, I'd leave it and let the cat take care of it himself. I use little cat claw scissors which work well. I think JanH says he uses the ones that work like a guillotine (darn = how do you spell that? the think that cuts off heads in medival times?) and they work well.

Dull cutters can crush the nail - and in that case get sharper tools. However it sounds like you are seeing the natural development of a claw. A claw is layers and the cat sharpens the claw by shedding the outer layer(s) that runs in a single piece from tip to toe, as if you put glue on the nail and let it dry into a layer. After it sheds, the tip will be very sharp. If it breaks into pieces when you cut and there is a piece that is a surface layer that runs from where you cut down toward the foot, then you can take it off if it comes off easily. Otherwise, the cat will just scratch and get rid of it that way.

The nail is usually as you described and it is usually on the bottom side. Thank you once again for your great input Jan.

ILUVRAGDOLLS Wrote:Hi, I am using scissor-type with scoop they are Front Paws, but I do see splitting from time to time. What brand do you use, maybe that will help?

Thanks

Mine say "JW Pet" on them....