Hello! Just a quick question - is is really necessary to clean the black goop off the cats' claws? I clean my cats ears & eyes daily, & bathe them every 2 weeks or so along with a nail clipping. They HATE me cleaning off that black goo on their claws - is it needed for their health? If not, I will not bother.
that nasty claw goop!
- Thread starter maxtmill
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It's easier if you use baby wipes or some sort of moist cloth to get the goop off. If you gently press on their toes so the nail protrudes and then wipe it's not so bad. The more you get them used it, the more they seem to learn to tolerate it. Maybe someone knows about health consequences in regard to it...I for one have always cleaned them before clipping her nails and after that she gets in the bath.
Wrinks
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I clean my guys claws out everytime I bath him, on average once or twice a week. I would assume it would be beneficial for their health because they use their claws as much as we use our hands, and we wouldnt leave goop like that under our nails! I know its time for a bath and nail cleaning when his feet smell like poop when he kneads. Gross sounding i know, but totally true! I use wet q-tips and wipe them clean. not only the claw itself, but in the folds of skin around the claw too. Thats where it really seems to get yucky. He hates it and meows like crazy, but he puts up with it. Afterwards i rub something yummy smelling on his paws, a baby bedtime lotion or some coconut oil to finish
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I have always cleaned Elvis claws on bath day- I want to keep them nice and clean
I just use the exfoliating gloves and rub each nail. He doesn't mind the front feet, but always makes noises while I'm doing his back feet. It only takes a second.
But surprisingly, I found that he is better when I just sit him in my lap and don't wrap him in a towel.
I just use the exfoliating gloves and rub each nail. He doesn't mind the front feet, but always makes noises while I'm doing his back feet. It only takes a second.
But surprisingly, I found that he is better when I just sit him in my lap and don't wrap him in a towel.
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As others have said, baby wipes work best, we do the nail clipping then bath and ears all at the same interval. here is a great video we made on nail clipping and cleaning the nails as well.
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Kc+nesslovesarchie
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Ahhh the lovely smelly black stuff on the nails and in the folds.
I clean Archies when he is sleepy its very smelly and gross but that's what we do 4 love
Also I let Archie when I'm bathing him the water seems 2 do most of the job.
I clean Archies when he is sleepy its very smelly and gross but that's what we do 4 love
Also I let Archie when I'm bathing him the water seems 2 do most of the job.
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Clarify @ Admin I do the nail clipping, ears and then bath, while you are on the couch!!!!
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BlueGirl
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I clean lokis out every so often but he hates it, he bites and strugles. Not sure why its such a big deal, it dosnt hurt him. My vet told me I had to get rid of it, as leaving it could risk getting the nail root infected and then it would have to be removed. Although im not sure how true that is, better safe than sorry I guess. Even if he dose hate having it done, it dosnt take too long
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spencer doesn't mind in the least bit. he lets me do it.
jedi has funny shaped feet the nails point up. the girl i got him from didn't ever do it and his nails are stained black. they are gross and will never come clean. boo.
jedi has funny shaped feet the nails point up. the girl i got him from didn't ever do it and his nails are stained black. they are gross and will never come clean. boo.
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I clean mine out while they are in the tub. i use a washrag, clean their ears and face, then each toe. they dont love it, but it gets the most off. then when i clip their nails, and deap clean their ears i get the rest off.
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You do have to clean the nail/skin folds to prevent a yeast infection or something worse.
In fact I think I remember speaking with a sphynx owner online whose cat got a pretty bad nail bed infection that started with yeast....it was a long time ago though.
I clean Nofuratu's from once a week, to one every month or two, depending on how often he is being bathed, same with my other two sphynx.
Letting their feet soak in the bath helps. I use a baby wipe, and also swab with a q tip soaked in ear cleaning solution sometimes to get the nail clean.
Nofur tolerates it, but my other two feet act like they are being killed and I usually have to do one foot each night, till they're all done!
When I dont clean them as often, I just check the toes to make sure they dont smell really yeasty, or dont have redness/irritation which is another sign of yeast infection.
In fact I think I remember speaking with a sphynx owner online whose cat got a pretty bad nail bed infection that started with yeast....it was a long time ago though.
I clean Nofuratu's from once a week, to one every month or two, depending on how often he is being bathed, same with my other two sphynx.
Letting their feet soak in the bath helps. I use a baby wipe, and also swab with a q tip soaked in ear cleaning solution sometimes to get the nail clean.
Nofur tolerates it, but my other two feet act like they are being killed and I usually have to do one foot each night, till they're all done!
When I dont clean them as often, I just check the toes to make sure they dont smell really yeasty, or dont have redness/irritation which is another sign of yeast infection.
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Sounds like my house! Says "we" means "wife"
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falaloo
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Even if it didn't cause an infection, I would imagine it would eventually become very uncomfortable for the cat. When it builds up I would imagine it would impair claw retraction...not to mention it's kinda gross! lol. I find that its easier after or during a bath when the paw has warmed up a bit...it basically just slides right off with a baby wipe.
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Since I changed to Okoplus Cats Best cat litter mine hardly get any goo build up on their nails which really makes me wonder just how nasty it was!
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My Fluffy does too! It's a comfort thing for her. When she is in someone's lap, warm and happy, she clea s her feet!
Jen
I will use a baby wipe on those nails whether they like it or not!!
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Oh the exfoliating gloves are a great idea!! I was just searching through the forum trying to find a solution for doing Gizmos toes a faster way. He doesn't around the skin of his claw, but his claw itself gets really dirty and he hates for me to clean them especially the back ones. I tried using baby wipes and even a little toothbrush but the gunk really stuck on there! I think this is the solution to my problem! Thanks for posting!
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My vet says Astor's goop is yeast that likes the cozy skin folds. (It does indeed smell yeasty.) I got some medicated shampoo from the vet but haven't used it yet.
I don't think(?) the yeast is dangerous to his health, just a cosmetic issue, but if anyone knows otherwise, let me know?
(though I still wipe the nails down almost daily just with my moistened thumb & nails; it'll let you know how the shampoo works out)
I don't think(?) the yeast is dangerous to his health, just a cosmetic issue, but if anyone knows otherwise, let me know?
(though I still wipe the nails down almost daily just with my moistened thumb & nails; it'll let you know how the shampoo works out)
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I use the baby wipes after the bath and scrape with my nail if a bit is having a tough time coming off. Pharaoh hates having his feet messed with, Amen-Ra didn't much care for it either. I love the ideas about the exfoliating gloves and the ear cleaner on the q-tip...I'm going to try them both.