Maine Coon Claw Guide

In this article, you’ll learn how to care for your Maine Coon’s claws, such as how to clip their nails and how to stop your cat from scratching the door or sofa.

Maine Coon Claws

Maine Coons have between five and seven toes. Each toe is tipped with a curved nail or claw made out of keratin. These cats use their claws for hunting and self-defense. When you bring home a Maine Coon cat, you will have to take responsibility for keeping your cat’s nails under control and healthy.

Maine Coon cats have sharp claws, just like all other cats. Their claws are an essential tool for their daily activities, and they’re typically strong and sharp enough to help them climb, defend themselves, and mark their territory.

Claw Characteristics

• Length: The length of a Maine Coon’s claws can vary, but they tend to be relatively long compared to other breeds. On average, they can range from 1 to 1.5 inches in length.
• Width: Their claws are often broad and sturdy, making them highly effective for gripping surfaces.

Why Maine Coon Claws Are Sharp

1. Climbing: Maine Coons are natural climbers, and sharp claws help them latch onto trees, furniture, or any other surfaces. The claws allow them to scale heights effectively.
2. Defense: As a larger breed with a strong personality, Maine Coons may use their claws for self-defense if they feel threatened. Sharp claws help them protect themselves from predators or aggressors.
3. Hunting and Catching Prey: In the wild (or in a home with access to the outdoors), sharp claws are necessary for hunting. Maine Coons are skilled hunters, and their claws allow them to catch and hold onto prey.
4. Marking Territory: Maine Coon cats, like other felines, have scent glands in their paws. When they scratch with their claws, they leave behind scent marks that help them communicate with other cats and claim their territory.
5. Stretching and Exercise: Scratching allows Maine Coons to stretch their muscles and keep their claws in optimal condition. Sharp claws help them dig in and extend their bodies fully when stretching.
6. Protection of Paws: Claws are a cat’s main form of protection. The sharpness is key to maintaining their ability to defend themselves from threats, and it helps them stay agile and mobile.

Why Cats’ Claws Remain Sharp

Claws are made of keratin, the same material that makes up human hair and nails.

Unlike humans, cats’ claws are retractable, so they don’t constantly touch the ground. This retractable feature allows the claws to stay sharp by protecting them from wearing down too quickly.

Regular scratching and climbing naturally file their claws, ensuring they remain sharp for these essential activities.

How To Trim Maine Coon Claws

Trimming a Maine Coon’s claws requires patience, care, and the right technique to ensure both the cat’s safety and comfort.

Maine Coons, being large and strong cats, may not always enjoy having their claws trimmed, so it’s essential to approach the task calmly and with the proper steps.

1. Prepare Your Supplies

• Cat nail clippers (preferably designed for large cats like Maine Coons)
• Styptic powder (in case you accidentally cut the quick)
• A towel (to wrap the cat if needed)
• A comfortable, quiet environment (preferably a place where your cat feels at ease)

2. Choose The Right Time

Wait for a calm moment when your Maine Coon is relaxed, such as after a play session or when they’re in a sleepy mood.

If your cat is anxious, you may want to try in short sessions over multiple days rather than all at once.

3. Get Your Cat Comfortable

You can either have your Maine Coon lie on their back, hold them in your lap, or gently wrap them in a towel if they’re squirmy. Some people find it helpful to have an extra set of hands to hold the cat while they trim.

Be gentle but firm in holding their paw, and try not to cause any stress.

4. Identify The Claw’s Quick

The quick is the pinkish part inside the claw that contains blood vessels and nerves. Be sure to avoid cutting this part, as it will cause bleeding and pain.

In lighter-colored claws, the quick is easier to see, but in dark claws, it’s more challenging, so just trim the sharp end of the claw.

5. Trim The Claws

Hold the paw firmly but gently, and use the cat nail clippers to trim the tip of each claw, making sure to avoid the quick.

Trim a small amount at a time, starting with the sharp, curved tip.

Be mindful to only trim the sharp part, as the claws can be quite thick and should not be trimmed too deeply.

6. Take Your Time

If your cat is getting agitated, take breaks. It’s better to trim in small increments than to rush and risk causing them stress or injury.

You don’t need to trim all the claws in one session if your cat is resisting; trim a few claws and try again later.

7. Handle Claws Gently After Trimming

After trimming, give your Maine Coon positive reinforcement with treats, affection, or playtime to help them associate claw trimming with good things.

Inspect their paws to ensure there is no bleeding, especially from the quick.

8. Keep Claws Clean

Regularly inspect your cat’s paws for dirt or debris. Keep the claws clean to avoid potential infections or discomfort.

9. Repeat As Needed

Depending on your cat’s lifestyle (whether they are indoor or outdoor), you may need to trim their claws every 3–4 weeks.

Keep an eye on their claws, as Maine Coons tend to grow thicker, longer claws that may need more attention than other breeds.

Tips For Success

• Positive Reinforcement: Reward your cat with treats and praise after each session to create a positive association.
• Keep Calm: Maine Coons are sensitive to your emotions, so staying calm and gentle can help reassure them.
• Gradual Introduction: If your Maine Coon is not accustomed to having their paws touched, start by gently massaging their paws before attempting to trim their claws.

With regular care, your Maine Coon’s claws will remain in good shape, and your cat will get more accustomed to the process.

Training A Kitten Not To Scratch And Bite

Below are the best ways to train a kitten not to scratch and bite:

1. Redirecting

If you are playing and your kitten goes to bite or scratch your hands, one of the best things that you can do is simply redirect them.

Distract your kitten by replacing the hand that they are biting with a toy.

If your kitten is scratching at you a lot, you should also redirect them to their scratching post.

The good thing about kittens is while they can be destructive, they are also easily distracted.

2. Ignoring

If you move around a lot or make a big deal of the biting and scratching, this can sometimes encourage the behavior!

When your kitten will not stop biting you or scratching you, simply loudly exclaim ‘Ow’ or ‘Ouch’ and then get up and walk away. This is effective as your kitten will learn to associate you saying ‘ow’ or ‘ouch’ with the end of playtime.

Your cat will also learn that scratching and biting leads to you walking away.

3. Spray Bottle

Many cat specialists do not feel that this is a suitable or kind deterrent, so the method is best avoided.

However, if all else fails, give your cat a quick squirt with a water spray bottle when they scratch or bite you. This will help discourage the biting or scratching behavior because most cats (and animals in general) do not like being sprayed with water.

It is important to avoid spraying your cat’s eyes, and nose.

Declawing A Maine Coon

Declawing any cat is an incredibly controversial and harmful procedure widely condemned by veterinarians and animal welfare organizations.

Declawing involves the amputation of a cat’s claws, but it isn’t just removing the nails; it also involves cutting through bone, tendons, and ligaments, making it a form of mutilation rather than a simple nail trim.

Here are some key points to consider:

Why Declawing is Barbaric

1. Painful Procedure: Declawing is a painful surgery, causes long-term physical and emotional harm. The cat loses its primary means of defense and expression.
2. Loss of Natural Behavior: Cats use their claws for climbing, stretching, marking territory, and self-defense. Removing these can interfere with these natural behaviors.
3. Behavioral Problems: Cats that are declawed often exhibit behavioral changes such as increased aggression, anxiety, or litter box avoidance due to the trauma of the procedure.
4. Lifelong Consequences: Declawing can lead to permanent lameness, arthritis, and issues with balance. These consequences can cause discomfort and affect their quality of life.
5. Unethical Practice: Many countries, including much of Europe and Canada, have banned declawing because it is viewed as inhumane. In the U.S., it is still legal in some states, but veterinarians strongly discourage it.

Pros (Perceived By Some)

• Protects Furniture: Some people choose to declaw their cat to protect their furniture from scratches. However, this short-term solution creates a much larger ethical and medical issue.
• Less Risk of Injury: People may worry that a cat’s claws could injure someone, but this can be addressed with proper training, scratchers, and regular nail trimming.

Cons

• Pain and Trauma: As mentioned, declawing causes severe pain and a long recovery process. In many cases, it leads to permanent disability.
• Behavioral Changes: Declawed cats are often more aggressive, anxious, or depressed. Their sense of security is compromised without their claws.
• Health Issues: The amputation can cause arthritis, lameness, and mobility issues. Cats rely on their claws to walk properly.
• Unethical: Many believe that declawing is a form of cruelty, as it permanently alters a cat’s body for the convenience of the owner.
• Alternatives Available: There are non-surgical alternatives to prevent scratching, such as nail caps (soft, rubber covers for claws), regular nail trimming, and scratching posts.

Declawing a Maine Coon cat is neither ethical nor desirable. The procedure causes unnecessary pain, trauma, and long-term consequences that can negatively affect the cat’s health and behavior.