Yes, I know, it’s terrible to let them out. I worry constantly, but the BF started letting him out, and I can’t get that genie back in the jar.
I have been letting his claws grow for self-defense, tree climbing etc., but now he’s catching on everything-think the carpet, the bed spread, etc. The front claws are pretty well curved; hooked, if you will. I haven’t checked the back.
So, how dangerous would it be if I just clipped off the hooking over part? And should I do front and back?
Clip as usual and tell your boyfriend if he ever lets the cat out again, he’s sleeping outside.
Best you talk to a vet about your particular circumstances. Claws that are too long can curve back into the paw and may seriously compromise the cat’s health. Since it’s partly an outdoor cat, you do not want to compromise their own safety while outdoors.
FWIW, all of our cats are indoor only. We only nip off the extreme needle sharp ends of the kittens. Out adult cats’ claws are never clipped. We have a number of scratch pads/posts so it’s a non-issue with them.
It is very import to know how to clip the claws. If you nip too long you can cut the vein (the quick). That can get infected leading to all sorts of problems, even death of the cat.
Remember it’s about the health and safety of the animal. Your carpets and furniture really are expendable here.
ETA:
Strongly agree. If he doesn’t understand, you need to dump him and get a new BF.
Learn how to properly clip the cat’s nails (or, in my opinion, have the front ones removed).
And get a new bf. Is he as irresponsible toward you as toward the cat? I once had a bf who demanded that I get rid of my kitties or we couldn’t live together. That’s when he became an ex.
No No NO do not declaw unless there is a MAJOR issue!
I trim my cats’ claws, and when I had one that was a mostly-barn-cat who liked to ride on my shoulder to ‘help’ with chores, I trimmed a tiny bit of his front claws, just enough to keep me from getting unintentionally flayed. He still had weapons/tree climbers if he needed them, just not quite as sharp. If your cat is tolerant of you messing with his feet, a nice new and coarse emery board can take the worst off too.
The house only cats I trim short and I do it about once a month. It’s easy to do if your cat holds reasonably still - in good light you can see the vein pretty easily. An infection in a claw cut too short is a possibility, I suppose, but a faint one for a cat who’s a house pet and has vet care.
All of which reminds me, it’s time to piss off the herd again! (They’re good about it, but there’s a lot of grumbling during the procedure 
)
Thanks! He yows a lot, but is pretty good about it.
And re: the BF–he’s a great guy. When we decided to move in together, I told him the cats came with me. And he said “What else would you do with them?” He’s not a cat lover, and really doesn’t get it, but they’ve been here with us for 8+ years.
I would not clip nails on a cat that goes outside. I suppose if I felt he was endangering himself with twisted/caught toes (not outside the realm of possibility to break or dislocate a toe if he’s really caught), maybe clip just the last 2 milimeters or so. Really, just the extreme needle part. If he goes outside and you’ve clipped off the majority of the “hooked” portion, to near the quick, he is just as defenseless as a declawed cat. Helpful to small prey, I suppose, but also helpful to larger predators and/or competition making dinner out of him.
Unless you really want to bring home your point by letting your kitty get injured (abscesses on outdoor kitties are not uncommon, often in the flank area as they are bitten/hooked while trying to run away, as well as feline leukemia and FIV - both very real viral threats to his life), and having BF help with those vet trips and bills, have a serious sit-down with the BF, tell him your Doper friends think he’s kind of an idiot if he can’t figure it out.