I didn't mean to use the word de-claw in the thread title. I merely want to just snip the claws down a few millimetres.

I want to TRIM the claws my cat and I wondering if this is something I could do on my own or if a professional would have to do it.

Like all I really want to do is just clip a bit of the claw off so it isn't so sharp. I'm thinking I could just do it with people nail clippers.

So...is this something I can do myself safely with no harm to the cat?

I personally think declawing is mean and not necessary. Like having all your fingernails ripped off! You can try and trim them yourself, and can probably get little specialist clippers from a pet store, but lots of animals are fussy about it, and make it as difficult for you as possible. My advice in this case would be to get a vet to do it; they'll be careful not to cut into the quick too. A nice scratching post might help a little too. If your cat is allowed outside, it should naturally wear down its claws so they're not too long... but, claws are sort of designed to be sharp really!

Uh, de-clawing is awful - they'll be an indoor cat for life (also something im against). As the poster above said, how would you like to lose your finger nails and toe nails?

I don't know about trimming claws, or 'filing' them down as such.

Scratching post!

OP, there is no good reason to mutilate a cat.

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"In what concerns divine things, belief is not appropriate. Only certainty will do. Anything less than certainty is unworthy of God." -- Simone Weil

Don't de-claw, unless you too would like your fingernails pulled out.

To fully declaw a cat, go to a vet for sakes... now if you just plan to trim their nails with clippers be careful not to cut them too short, they do have veins that go into their nails, and they will bleed if cut too short.

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When people screw up, things explode.

good ,then their stupid pet wont be shitting in other ppls gardens and will save itself getting shot

That's what I initially intended to do...I guess I shouldn't of used the word 'de-claw'. Sorry to all you animal lovers who thought I was some sort of monster.

Anyways, yes I could see little pink membranes in the claws so I was sure not to get close to those.

Well now that cat won't rip my face up anymore when she wakes me up in the morning.

It's the equivalent of chopping off your fingers at the first knuckle.

Don't declaw, just clip the nails.

I don't know too much about it, but it shouldn't be hard. Look up how short to cut them.