My kittens claws are digging into the pad, but I can't cut them.?

Question

I have a 10-12 week old Munchkin Kitten. She does not climb or use her claws ever - not even when she is scared. I noticed her claws were getting too long and wrapping around the pads of her feet. I tried cutting them and even had an exper try to cut them, but they just won't extend so that we can get them cut.

While I don't like the idea of declawing, that might be in her best interest. Since she is a munchkin breed, she doesn't weigh the required 2 pounds for the vet. (for spay/neuter they require 2 pounds for anesthesia) She is about 1 1/2 -even though her brother from he same litter is 3 (not a munchkin)

Any advice on what I can do for her

Answer 1

If an expert cannot cut the claws, you should buy her a scratching post. You will have to demonstrate yourself how to use it, by scratching your own nails against it, and she will eventually catch on.  

Answer 2

call your vet and tell them what's going on. If the claws are growing that way, then it's causing her pain and the vet will tell you what to do and sometimes even show you how without a charge.  

Answer 3

Take her to the vet. The vet will be able to cut them. The vet can even sedate her if necessary to do this. If they are growing into the pads, they must be extended. A kitten should not have claws growing into the pads, This can happen in polydactyl cats in the "extra" toe or elderly cats. I suspect that it is a deformity associated with the dwarfism, (Munchkin). Have your vet trim them and maybe the vet can do monthly trims, or once the problem is corrected by a veterinary trim, you can keep an eye on the claws and keep them trimmed before they grow into the pads. I would definitely do this before having her toes amputated. That is too drastic and painful. Hopefully routine trimming will work once the vet gets the claws out of the pads. This needs to be addressed quickly. Pain and possibly infection could occur. She cannot use a scratching post (as someone suggested) if her nails are growing into her pads.

I have a polydactyl cat and I have to keep an eye on her claws on the extra toes because they could grow into the pads if not kept trimmed. Her sister, who is not polydactyl, also has two claws (where the dew claws would be on dogs) that I have to trim frequently because they curve inward. Good luck and please post an update!

Answer 4

file them down.

Answer 5

Take her to the vet and have them cut them or they may use a dremal tool. If the claws are deformed, declalwing may be the only answer. I hope not but you need to do what is best for your cats health.

Answer 6

What the third person said--a vet can get the claws to a manageable size and you can start clipping them twice a month to keep them the required length.