We’re sometimes lulled into a false sense of security by cats’ cuteness, forgetting that they’re descended from big cats like lions and panthers. People on the subreddit ‘Murder Mittens’ post photos of their felines about to ‘kill’ them (with cuteness… maybe).
Get ready for some shockingly adorable snaps, ranging from smol cattos flaunting their surprisingly large scratchies to well-groomed floofs spreading their panther-like claws (or even reaching for that knife in your kitchen).
So scroll down, upvote your favorites, and comment with photos of your own cats’ “murder mittens.” (Just don’t look at this list while your cat isn’t around—you don’t want to give it any ideas!) If you own a cat, you’ll want to look after your pet’s claws. Continue reading to learn more about cat claw health from Bored Panda’s interview with Cats Protection, the UK’s leading feline welfare charity. Also, pay a visit to r/murdermittens. They already have 140k members, but we’re sure they’d appreciate some cat-loving Pandas to keep them company!
#1
Lil’ Murderer
#2
Black Panther Sequel
#3
Illegally Tiny And Adorable Murder Mittens
those eyes *____*
#4
Ah Yes. The Deadly Grip Of The Void Itself
#5
My Favourite Baby Photo Of Him
#6
Also Very Smol
They went on to say that the most common type of declawing is an onychectomy, which entails “cutting the bones from which the claws grow with a scalpel or laser.”
Scratching is perfectly normal for cats because it keeps their claws sharp. They’ll be able to grip better when running, climbing, or hunting.
“Scratching also leaves behind pheromone scent markers. These pheromones demarcate the cat’s territory and help them feel at ease in their surroundings, reducing stress. The Cats Protection team explained to Bored Panda that outdoor cats will naturally find appropriate scratching surfaces.
#7
When The Murder Mittens Aren’t Enough
#8
Murder Mitten And A Tooth For Good Measure.
#9
Press On The Beans And You Get The Means…
The most common type of declawing, they continued, is an onychectomy, which entails “cutting the bones from which the claws grow with a scalpel or laser.”
Scratching is natural for cats because it helps to keep their claws sharp. When running, climbing, or hunting, they’ll have a better grip. Scratching also leaves pheromone scent markers on the skin. These pheromones help cats demarcate their territory and feel at ease in their surroundings, reducing stress. Outdoor cats will naturally find appropriate scratching surfaces, according to the Cats Protection team.
#10
Teeniest Murder Mittens
#11
Murderwebs
#12
Mama Lynx With 7 Cubs. Hmm… 8×4=32 Murder Mittens!
There are some drawbacks to not properly caring for your pet’s claws, according to the Cats Protection team. “Most homeowners are concerned about furniture damage caused by scratching in the home. Cats that are older are more likely to have joint pains and be less active. This could indicate that they scratch less frequently to keep their claws healthy. As a result, in old age, the claws can become long and thick.”
“In some cases, the claws can grow so long that they affect the way the cat walks, which can be painful,” they continued. They can also grow all the way around the toe and become ingrown and infected, causing pain. Older cats’ claws may need to be trimmed by the owner or their veterinarian to keep them in check. Every six months, all older cats should visit their veterinarian for a check-up.”
#13
Baby Bella’s Lunch Time. One Month Old And Rescued From The Trash. Direct Descendent Of Toothless
#14
Wolverine
#15
Very Unique
If your cat scratched a lot, you should think about whether it’s due to stress or anxiety. For example, another cat in your home or in the neighborhood could make your cat feel threatened.
“In addition to attempting the above advice, you may need to consider what is bothering your cat in order to permanently prevent your cat from scratching your furniture. Don’t just give them another scratching surface without also assisting them in feeling more secure and at ease. To uncover the cause of their anxiety, you may need the assistance of a qualified behaviorist,” the Cats Protection representative advised us to address the underlying root issues first. More information about cats, feline behavior, and scratching can be found here.
#16
Bebe Precioso!!!!!
#17
Like A Godly Hand
#18
Someone’s Ready For Dinner
There are only a few simple rules in the Murder Mittens community. To begin with, your cat’s claws must be visible in the photo (which sounds pretty much obvious). In the subreddit, there can’t be any cat harassment. Finally, the members of the group must remember to be courteous to other people.
Keeping your cat’s paws and claws clean ensures a healthy life full of acrobatic leaps and somersaults. According to Fetch by WebMD, you should gently wipe your cat’s paws with a damp cloth once a day and check for any icky substances or itchy wounds in between your pet’s toes and around the pads.
Cats scratch to reveal the sharp claws beneath their outer nail sheaths (which are hidden, lying in wait, silently stalking their prey).
#19
Stretching The Mittens
#20
Smol Floofy Murder Mitts
#21
Paws
If you notice your cat scratching the living daylights out of your couch, you should: a) recognize that it’s completely natural; b) refrain from considering declawing your cat; and c) provide your cat with a variety of scratching posts to divert its attention away from your IKEA furniture. (You could even ‘cheat’ by smearing catnip on the posts to diplomeowtically persuade your cat to choose the right option.)
Meanwhile, massage your cat’s paws before trimming its nails so that it becomes accustomed to having them touched. You can cut your cat’s nails one or two at a time if he or she is antsy. Remember to cut off the white tip of each nail just before it begins to curve with high-quality scissors (don’t cut the pink part!). That’s it—they’re now ready for their photo shoot for ‘Murder Mittens.’
#22
As I Was Leaving Work My Coworkers Told Me I Had A Cat In My Trucks Engine Bay. Meet Fjord The Mighty Huntress.
#23
Yoshi, The Panther
#24
Fear Me Hoomans
#25
She Looked Familiar…
#26
My Cat Had Kittens. Here Are All 3 Of Them!
#27
Gus Just Moved In, He’s Making Sure We Know He’s The Boss Now.
#28
Touch Tha Chockamachip Cookee
#29
Just When I Thought It Was Safe To Go To The Bathroom! (Bandit Strikes Again!)
#30
Soon
#31
He Attac
#32
Teeny Tiny Vicious Murder Mittens
#33
How I Am Greeted When I Get Home Every Day
#34
I Can’t Ever Go To The Bathroom In Peace.
#35
Action Mm’s
#36
Scalp Massage
#37
What Are Thooooose
#38
Murder Mittens Used To Beg For His Wet Food. He Wants Us To Know He Could Rip Us Apart If We Neglect To Feed Him. Murder Mittens.
#39
I’m Slightly Terrified
#40
Out In Full Force This Morning!
