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The ‘Murder Mittens’ Group Is All About Cats Showing Off Their Claws, And Here Are 40 Of The Most Scarily Cute Ones
Cats are so adorable that we sometimes get lulled into a false sense of security and forget that they’re descendants of big cats like lions and panthers. Well, there’s a subreddit called ‘Murder Mittens’ where people post photos of their felines about to ‘kill’ them (with cuteness… maybe).
From smol cattos showing off their surprisingly big scratchies to well-groomed floofs spreading their panther-like claws (or even reaching for that knife in your kitchen), get ready for some shockingly adorable snaps that you could just die for.
So scroll down, upvote your fave pics, and post photos of your own cats’ ‘murder mittens’ in the comment section. (Just be careful to look through this list when your cat isn’t around—you wouldn’t want to give it any ideas!) If you’re a cat owner, then you’ll want to take good care of your pet’s claws. Read on for Bored Panda’s interview with the UK’s leading feline welfare charity Cats Protection about cat claw health! And be sure to visit r/murdermittens, too. They’ve already got 140k members but we’re sure that they’d love some cat-loving Pandas for company!
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Lil' Murderer
Black Panther Sequel
Illegally Tiny And Adorable Murder Mittens
Bored Panda reached out to Cats Protection, a British charity founded way back in 1927 and which now helps around 200k cats and kittens each year. The charity has a network of over 230 volunteer-run branches and 36 centers.
According to the team at Cats Protection, declawing your cat isn’t the way to go. In fact, declawing was outlawed in the UK by the Animal Welfare Act of 2006. “Cat declawing is also illegal in many other European countries, as well as Brazil, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand.”
A representative from Cats Protection told us that people declaw cats to stop them from scratching furniture. “But this unethical and essentially an act of mutilation to modify the cat for our benefit,” they said, also outlining some other negatives which show that declawing is unethical.
Ah Yes. The Deadly Grip Of The Void Itself
My Favourite Baby Photo Of Him
Also Very Smol
- “Some studies suggest cats who have been declawed have increased levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), which is often associated with pain.
- Another study that scanned declawed cat paws found that in many cases the procedure is not done correctly, leaving behind painful bone fragments.
- Cats can continue to feel pain after the declawing procedure as part of their body weight is borne on their toes. After the declawing process, their gait changes as they put their weight through their paws.”
They added that the most frequent type of declawing is called an onychectomy which involves “cutting the bones the claws grow from with a scalpel or laser.”
It’s completely normal for cats to scratch because it keeps their claws sharp. That way, they can grip when running, climbing, and hunting.
“The act of scratching also deposits pheromone scent markers. These pheromones mark the cat’s territory and make their surroundings feel familiar, which reduces stress. Outdoor cats will naturally find appropriate surfaces to scratch,” the Cats Protection team explained to Bored Panda.
When The Murder Mittens Aren’t Enough
Murder Mitten And A Tooth For Good Measure.
Press On The Beans And You Get The Means...
They added that there are several things that you can do if your cat is scratching your furniture:
- “Protecting the item with thick, shiny plastic sheeting which is unappealing to scratch;
- Placing a scratching post next to the area where they've been scratching;
- Choosing a scratching post with a heavy, stable base so it doesn't wobble or topple during use. It should be tall enough for your cat to scratch at full stretch. A vertical weave helps your cat run their claws downwards
- Providing a scratching pad if your cat prefers to scratch horizontally (e.g. cats that scratch carpets and stairs).”
Once your beloved catto is used to the scratching post or mat, you can gradually (not to mention sneakily) move them to a more suitable location and remove the plastic sheeting.
“Cats often scratch and stretch when they wake up, so you can try placing their scratching post near their bed. Every cat should have their own scratching post, positioned in a different place to avoid conflict. Some scratch posts are infused with catnip. Alternatively, you can try rubbing quality catnip on the post to entice them or put a few pieces of cat food on the post. Playing with your cat a little and often throughout the day may help redirect their energy away from scratching.”
Teeniest Murder Mittens
Murderwebs
Sorry, but sphynx cats creep me out: They look like a gremlin crossed with gollum. (same comment that I deleted, however I didn't put an apology at the beginning).
The allergen is normally the spit left on the cats fur from cleaning. That's why people have fewer problems with short and hairless cats. Less area for spit to stick.
Load More Replies...This is a great example of why you don't "declaw" your cat. It's inhumane and causes the cat extreme pain because you're basically cutting off the top of their finger
Wow! Does that mean that if my cat had no hair on her feet that they would look like that?
There is something that is so unsettling about these hairless cats...unnatural.
My daughter wants to get two of these eventually. I hope she names them 51 and Roswell.
I had no idea that Sphinx had so much webbing. This one is ready for a swim.
I think they look amazing and I wonder if they have a typical behavior as a breed. I know I wouldn't be opposed to getting one if I lived in a warmer climate.
They are amazing cats. Always up for a cuddle because they get warm from your body. They aren't slouchy, like when you pick up rag doll they hang. Pick up a sphynx and the arms and legs go everywhere. A wash every week including cleaning ears and all nails but what you gain in work here you lose in cleaning hair off everything! If your house is always warm a cool climate is fine because they are inside only
Load More Replies...This is what happens when you combine a cat and a facehugger from Aliens...
On the other side, their paws look like tiny human hands - honestly.
There is enough web there that could help it fly. That face could be loved by anyone. Sweet
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....................lucky for this cat.
Mama Lynx With 7 Cubs. Hmm... 8x4=32 Murder Mittens!
The Cats Protection team told us that there are some downsides to not taking proper care of your pet’s claws. “Mostly, owners are concerned about damage to furnishings due to scratching in the home. Older cats can suffer from joint aches and pains and are less active. This can mean that they scratch less often to maintain their claws. As a result, the claws can become long and thick in old age.”
They continued: “In some cases, the claws can get so long they affect the way the cat walks and this can be painful. They may also actually grow all the way around the toe and become painfully ingrown and infected. The owner or their vet may need to trim the claws of older cats to keep them in check. All older cats should be seen by their vet for a regular check-up every 6 months.”
Baby Bella’s Lunch Time. One Month Old And Rescued From The Trash. Direct Descendent Of Toothless
Wolverine
Very Unique
If your cat is scratching a lot, you should consider that it might be caused by stress or anxiety. For instance, your cat might feel threatened by another cat in your home or in the local area.
“In addition to trying the advice suggested above, you may need to consider what is worrying your cat in order to permanently stop your cat from scratching your furniture. Don't just provide another scratching surface without helping them feel more secure and less anxious. You may need help from a qualified behaviorist to uncover the cause of their anxiety,” the rep from Cats Protection told us to tackle the underlying root problems first. You can find more info about cats, feline behavior, and scratching right here.
Bebe Precioso!!!!!
Like A Godly Hand
Someone’s Ready For Dinner
The ‘Murder Mittens’ community has a few very simple rules. First and foremost, your cat’s claws must be showing in the photo (which sounds pretty much obvious). There also can’t be any cat harassment in the subreddit. Finally, the group’s members have to remember to be nice to other humans, too.
Keeping your cat’s paws and claws clean means that they can live a healthy life full of acrobatic jumps and somersaults. Fetch by WebMD suggests that you gently wipe your cat’s paws with a damp cloth once a day and check in between your pet’s toes and around the pads for any icky substances or ouchy wounds.
Cats need to scratch so that they can reveal the sharp claws (hidden, lying in wait, silently stalking their prey) underneath their outer nail sheaths.
Stretching The Mittens
Smol Floofy Murder Mitts
Paws
So if you see your cat scratching the ever-living heck out of your couch, you should: a) understand that it’s completely natural; b) refrain from thinking about declawing your cat; and c) get your catto a few different types of scratching posts to keep its attention away from your IKEA furniture. (You could even ‘cheat’ by scenting the posts with some catnip to diplomeowtically convince your cat to make the right choice.)
Meanwhile, when you’re about to trim your cat’s nails, you ought to massage its paws so that it gets used to having them touched. If your cat is feeling antsy, you can cut your cat’s nails one or two at a time. Remember to use high-quality scissors and to cut off the white tip of each nail, just before the place where it begins to curve (don’t cut the pink part!). There we go—now they’re perfect for their photo op for ‘Murder Mittens.’
As I Was Leaving Work My Coworkers Told Me I Had A Cat In My Trucks Engine Bay. Meet Fjord The Mighty Huntress.
Yoshi, The Panther
Fear Me Hoomans
Aww, I'm kinda sad now. This isn't cruelty by any means, but that's a look if terror on that poor baby face.
She Looked Familiar...
My Cat Had Kittens. Here Are All 3 Of Them!
Gus Just Moved In, He’s Making Sure We Know He’s The Boss Now.
Touch Tha Chockamachip Cookee
Just When I Thought It Was Safe To Go To The Bathroom! (Bandit Strikes Again!)
Soon
He Attac
Teeny Tiny Vicious Murder Mittens
How I Am Greeted When I Get Home Every Day
I Can’t Ever Go To The Bathroom In Peace.
Action Mm's
Scalp Massage
What Are Thooooose
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.
I’m Slightly Terrified
Out In Full Force This Morning!
When He Wants Attention He Unleashes The Claws
Walked Passed This Kitty Outside And She Got Super Excited And Gave Me This Adorable Stretch!
Sharpening For Future Murders
I Had A Close Call This Morning
Munchkin Was Trying To Sneak Attack Me
Barely Survived This Viscous Attack!
When The Cat Sits Above Your Blanket Fort
He Likes To Hold Me With His Murder Mittens While He Sheds My Skin With His Tongue.
Not Impressed With Today's Trip To The Vet.
"Stop Working And Pet Me Or There Will Be Consequences" Mittens
Rescue Murder Mittens. We Pick Him Up Saturday!
Baby Murder Mittens
Stealthy Murder Mittens
My Foster Cat Mars, Caught Mid-Meow.
I Don’t Think She Likes My Hat
Various Stages Of Spready Toe Murder Mittens Featuring Bonus Toes
Smoll Muder Mittens
Murder Baby
Taco The Kitty Does Not Approve Of The New "No Cats On The Desk" Rule! 🌮🐈
Caught This Motion Shot Of A Ferocious Kitten At The Shelter The Other Day.
It's Been 2 Years Since This Tiny Terror Came Into Our Lives. All Hail The Great Googly-Moogly!
My Cat Showing His Murdermittens
Will Murder For Food.
This Is Magnhild Reaper Of Souls Before I Rescued Her. Ready To Straight Murder Me.
From Kitty_fostering_oz On Ig
Peeing Alone Is Not Allowed
Murder In Broad Daylight
I Miss My Girl, Misfit, And The Way She Used To Casually Remind Me She Could End Me With Her Eyes And Murder Mittens. I Kid, We Were A Bonded Pair.
Winston, Who We Only Got Yesterday Wasted No Time In Showing Off His Murder Mittens To Us!
Was Just Tryna Have A Shower
He Didn't Want Me To Stand Up
Stay or you'll never see me again. Or anything else for that matter....
A Stretching Boy
Stretching Mittens
Savage Mitts
My 2-Month-Old Boy Draco. I’m Not Sure If He’s Siamese Or Ragdoll, But One Thing’s For Sure - Those Claws Mean Business!
This Shot Was Worth The Claw In My Nip
Baby Tiny-Clawed Stretch
Look Out! He’s Armed!!
My 26 Pound Maine Coon, Sable
Flashing The Murder Mittens To Demand Attention
Jason Has The Best Xmas Murder Mittens 🎄
Eyes + ears say he is plotting something . . . just so you know . . .
*visciously Holds Hand*
I Asked My Friend How Her Newly Adopted Cat Was...
6hr Old Murder Mittens
Loki Saying Hello After I’be Been At Work All Day
How Dare You Touch The Murder Mittens
She’s Angery
Baby Mittens
Arya Megatron’s Baby Murder Mittens
My Girlfriend’s Roommate Has Quite A Murderous Little Fellow On Her Hands
Illegally Small Purrs!
A Risky Picture, Very Close To Her Den...
Working From Home During #covid19 Outbreak Has Its Perks.
I Found His Secret Hiding Spot Under The Couch And He Is Not Happy About It
A Murder Mitten Welcome Home!
7 Month Old Girl Ready To Murder Anyone Who Touches Her New Hoodie.
Angery
I Can't Even Go To The Bathroom In Peace. 🤣
Then don't close the door........ opportunity for more cuddle time. . . . . . .
All these kitties are cute, but the number of black cats in these pictures is especially heartwarming 😊
I was going to comment this exact same thing!! I love black cats ❤️❤️❤️
Load More Replies...I am so glad that declawing is illegal in the UK. Please make it illegal in the US, for the love of kitties. We learned long ago that if we wanted a show house, we wouldn't have cats. Cats are far more wonderful than a pristine house. A house is not a home without a cat or two. Or several!
I agree, wish it was illegal in the US. See way to many people having their cats declawed.
Load More Replies...Take a look at all this cuteness and never ever declaw your cats. Murder mittens are very important for cats, and super cute too.
Please invest in a pair of pet nail clippers and a couple scratching posts. Just be gentle and careful when clipping off the tips (and only the tips!) of those needles, and your pets won’t be scared and run when they see you coming with the clippers in your hand. Then be sure to train the cats to use the scratching posts—-believe me, your (no longer punctured and shredded) furniture and skin will thank you. (Lifelong cat mama, sometimes dog mama too, speaking from experience.)
If the store bought scratching posts are ineffective, a 2ft piece of tree branch can be very effective, and free. Almost all my cats have preferred actual wood, I also have an upholstered and padded "hobby horse" that I spray with catnip for the one rebel that attacked my sofa.
Load More Replies...Is it just me or are some of these abnormally long? Don't yell at me I'm just a curious cat person.
Nope, you’re right. Many of these cats are overdue for a nail trim. Mine are done every three weeks. The posters probably wanted a murder mitten pic, so I’m thinking that’s why the claws are so long and hopefully got trimmed after the photo!
Load More Replies...OMG, I totally forgot about waterbeds and cats! Back in the mid-seventies, one of my brothers spent a ton of money on a waterbed. Never even thought about the mattress essentially being a big water balloon, and his two cats having claws sharp enough to make it spring leaks. Plus, any cat owner knows you can only shut cats out of a room for so long before they find ways to sneak back in—-or make noise and mischief outside the bedroom door all night to keep you awake (making you pay dearly for shutting them out). Needless to say, it was his first and last waterbed. He regretted the purchase.
Load More Replies...I love my black kitty; I can’t help falling for them the hardest, especially when they’re floofy ❣️
I have a decent scar from each of my cats from the past. They might not be with me anymore but their mark lives on. .. Literally.. lol .. That and I still keep their baby toys/ favorite toys.
My cats are nicknamed, "Scythe-Paw" and "Shredder". :-) Love murder mittens!
Murder mittens = why I am afraid of cats. It's irrational I know, but I think they are going to randomly shred me for no reason.
Not all cats are the same. Some are the loveliest beings you will ever come across and some, well, yes, they will make it a sport to attack you only when you are totally unaware the damn cat is even in the same room (a friend had one of those) but the real harm is always to your sense of cool, not bodily harm.
Load More Replies...Looking at your pics is definitely a feel good moment. The pics are awesome and the comments are hilarious. Keep up the fantastic work. Thankyou.
Cats are mysterious, yet awesome animals to have as pets. I know a few people who have had cats. Some can be very cuddly, and others can be very moody. If you would like to gain more leads and customers to your business, go to this website. They offer great service! https://www.worldlydigital.com
1. Cats do not have owners, they have staff. 2. That is the risk one takes for cohabitating with fluffy sociopaths.
Load More Replies...And who says they don't? But they love to play with humans, and anything else small and quick ^-^ don't forget cats are domesticated
Load More Replies...All these kitties are cute, but the number of black cats in these pictures is especially heartwarming 😊
I was going to comment this exact same thing!! I love black cats ❤️❤️❤️
Load More Replies...I am so glad that declawing is illegal in the UK. Please make it illegal in the US, for the love of kitties. We learned long ago that if we wanted a show house, we wouldn't have cats. Cats are far more wonderful than a pristine house. A house is not a home without a cat or two. Or several!
I agree, wish it was illegal in the US. See way to many people having their cats declawed.
Load More Replies...Take a look at all this cuteness and never ever declaw your cats. Murder mittens are very important for cats, and super cute too.
Please invest in a pair of pet nail clippers and a couple scratching posts. Just be gentle and careful when clipping off the tips (and only the tips!) of those needles, and your pets won’t be scared and run when they see you coming with the clippers in your hand. Then be sure to train the cats to use the scratching posts—-believe me, your (no longer punctured and shredded) furniture and skin will thank you. (Lifelong cat mama, sometimes dog mama too, speaking from experience.)
If the store bought scratching posts are ineffective, a 2ft piece of tree branch can be very effective, and free. Almost all my cats have preferred actual wood, I also have an upholstered and padded "hobby horse" that I spray with catnip for the one rebel that attacked my sofa.
Load More Replies...Is it just me or are some of these abnormally long? Don't yell at me I'm just a curious cat person.
Nope, you’re right. Many of these cats are overdue for a nail trim. Mine are done every three weeks. The posters probably wanted a murder mitten pic, so I’m thinking that’s why the claws are so long and hopefully got trimmed after the photo!
Load More Replies...OMG, I totally forgot about waterbeds and cats! Back in the mid-seventies, one of my brothers spent a ton of money on a waterbed. Never even thought about the mattress essentially being a big water balloon, and his two cats having claws sharp enough to make it spring leaks. Plus, any cat owner knows you can only shut cats out of a room for so long before they find ways to sneak back in—-or make noise and mischief outside the bedroom door all night to keep you awake (making you pay dearly for shutting them out). Needless to say, it was his first and last waterbed. He regretted the purchase.
Load More Replies...I love my black kitty; I can’t help falling for them the hardest, especially when they’re floofy ❣️
I have a decent scar from each of my cats from the past. They might not be with me anymore but their mark lives on. .. Literally.. lol .. That and I still keep their baby toys/ favorite toys.
My cats are nicknamed, "Scythe-Paw" and "Shredder". :-) Love murder mittens!
Murder mittens = why I am afraid of cats. It's irrational I know, but I think they are going to randomly shred me for no reason.
Not all cats are the same. Some are the loveliest beings you will ever come across and some, well, yes, they will make it a sport to attack you only when you are totally unaware the damn cat is even in the same room (a friend had one of those) but the real harm is always to your sense of cool, not bodily harm.
Load More Replies...Looking at your pics is definitely a feel good moment. The pics are awesome and the comments are hilarious. Keep up the fantastic work. Thankyou.
Cats are mysterious, yet awesome animals to have as pets. I know a few people who have had cats. Some can be very cuddly, and others can be very moody. If you would like to gain more leads and customers to your business, go to this website. They offer great service! https://www.worldlydigital.com
1. Cats do not have owners, they have staff. 2. That is the risk one takes for cohabitating with fluffy sociopaths.
Load More Replies...And who says they don't? But they love to play with humans, and anything else small and quick ^-^ don't forget cats are domesticated
Load More Replies...