Cat and cat claw care

A cat isn't just a cozy, furry companion in your home; it's also a responsibility. They need to be fed, bathed, and taken to the vet from time to time. Nail care is always an essential part of this care. This can be necessary not only to preserve the integrity of furniture and wallpaper, but also for the safety of the cat itself.

Why do you need to trim your cat's claws?

When a cat's claws grow too long, they can catch on the carpet. Once caught, it's very difficult for the cat to unclip itself, especially if it was running. This can lead to the claw breaking off, and even more serious is the possibility of the claw being pulled out. Imagine how painful that would be.

Do cats trim their claws? Absolutely, sometimes it's unavoidable. The process is simple, but it requires consistency. Only regular maintenance will help protect you, your property, and your cat. However, trimming isn't necessary; you can purchase special claw guards for cats. They come in a variety of sizes. siliconeThe drastic measure is complete cat declawingReviews of this procedure vary. Some owners consider it utter sacrilege, while others consider it the best solution.

How to trim a cat's claws correctly?

It seems like a simple procedure, but one wrong move and your pet will experience significant pain. If done correctly, nail trimming is completely painless. It's the same as trimming your own nails. The only difference is that our nails lack nerves and blood vessels, so trimming the free edge is completely painless. In animals, however, things are a little more complicated.

A special pruning shears will help

If you hold a cat's claw up to the light (to do this, gently pull it out from the pad), you'll see a dark and light zone. The darkened area is a cluster of nerves and blood vessels. This should never be touched when trimming. You can also look at the underside of the claw. There will be a groove; trim down to this groove. Trimming a cat's claws involves removing the free, light edge.

This procedure requires special pruning shears. It's best to purchase them at a pet store. Avoid using human scissors or clippers. They will only cause the nail to split. Special pruning shears will last for years.

How to trim a cat's claws with pruning shears? Apply gentle pressure to the pad of the cat's toe to expose the sharp hook. Now carefully insert it into the hole in the pruning shears, making sure to avoid the nerves and blood vessels. Quickly but carefully trim away any excess nail growth. Slowly trimming will cause the nail to crumble and split.

Hind paws often have very thick, overgrown claws. Trimming them properly with regular scissors or tweezers is difficult. However, pruning shears are a good option. They remove excess quickly and safely. Also, use a nail file to smooth out the trimmed edges. Be sure to do this quickly, but also carefully. Avoid "torturing" your cat with cosmetic procedures for too long. A multifaceted human nail file with polishing sections of varying diameters will also work. It will help smooth out the surface of your cat's claws, leaving them smooth.

If blood vessels are affected

Sometimes, a hand shakes, or the animal jerks its paw awkwardly, displacing the overgrown edge in the pruning shears. As a result, blood vessels are caught during the cutting. Keep a jar of hydrogen peroxide and cotton pads handy. Soak them in the peroxide and press them against the bleeding wound. Hold them there until the bleeding stops. But be careful from now on. It's best to accustom the animal to this procedure from puppyhood, so it doesn't struggle. Or, invite another family member to help you secure the pruning.

Now you know how to trim your cat's claws. But don't forget that their front paws also have fifth claws, located near the inside of the paws. Although they don't scratch, they can still snag on the carpet when your cat lies down.

How to make cat claws safe?

Sometimes trimming a cat's claws is necessary to protect other pets, children, wallpaper, and furniture from scratches and damage. But even this procedure can't completely protect the animal's environment from the weapons that extend from its paws. But there is a solution.

The first option is to use nail caps on cats.They attach to hooks, making them safe for your cat. Even properly trimmed claws can cause damage. With these silicone nail guards, you can forget about damaging surrounding objects for a couple of months. The only downside is that cat nail guards are quite expensive. However, you're not only making your cat's claws soft to touch, but also bright. Silicone cat nail guards come in a wide variety of colors. Imagine your pet having a colorful, unique, and harmless manicure.

Where can you buy such cat claws? Some pet stores and online retailers offer a huge selection of such products. But be prepared to shell out a pretty penny. A set for one pet can cost you around four hundred rubles. And it'll only last for a couple of months.

This method of protecting yourself and your interior is suitable not only for fashionistas, but also for pregnant cats.

After all, expectant mothers shouldn't have to experience stress. And trimming a cat's nails is almost always a real ordeal. One person has to hold the nails firmly while the other grooms them. Imagine what an ordeal this is for a pregnant pet. Using too much force when holding the nails can harm the kittens, even causing a miscarriage. By putting on nail guards, you can ensure a peaceful pregnancy for your pet and a safer life for yourself. Neither your furniture, nor the wallpaper, nor you will be harmed by your scratches.

A more complex option is complete declawing of cats. This procedure is performed by a veterinarian in a clinic under general anesthesia only in extreme cases, such as if a claw has been torn from a toe due to an injury. This occurs when owners forget to trim their pet's overgrown claws promptly.

Knowing how to trim a cat's claws shouldn't require such a procedure. Just remember to inspect your cat's toes every two weeks.

How to trim a kitten's claws

In general, the principles of trimming kittens' nails are no different from those used for declawing adult cats. Just keep in mind your pet's young age.

Firstly, kittens tend to be restless. Therefore, they will likely need to be restrained. A regular towel or sheet will do the trick.

Before you begin trimming your puppy's nails, you need to prepare them. It's best to do this in a playful and affectionate manner.

Once you've secured your pet, begin stroking its paw, gradually moving toward its pads. Avoid any sudden or harsh movements.

It's best if the kitten is sleepy or at least calm during the procedure. Avoid using force if possible. However, in some cases, it's understandable that trimming a kitten's nails won't be possible any other way.

How often should you trim your cat's nails?

The average claw trimming frequency is two weeks. This time period is chosen deliberately. Experience shows that this is exactly how long it takes for a cat's claws to return to their original length. This schedule is approximate, as situations vary. For example, if you are planning a mating, you will need to trim your cat's nails immediately before she meets her partner.

How to trim a cat's claws at home – instructions

For most cats, having their claws trimmed is akin to torture. They resist the process in every way, scratching, and may even bite. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

The best way to avoid this behavior is to accustom your cat to nail trimming from a young age. This will help your cat see the process as something natural.

If this doesn't happen, you'll have to resort to a trick. Pet your pet, make them feel safe, and give them a tasty treat. Once they feel comfortable, it's time to begin the procedure. So, it's time to check out the step-by-step photo instructions explaining how to properly trim your cat's claws without causing any harm to the animal.

Secure the cat as shown in the photo. Hold the cutting tool in your right hand. The cat's claws are hidden, so gently press down on the cat's toe, holding the paw pad between your toes. To see how this should look, see the corresponding photo.

Most cats have light-colored claws. This allows you to see the area beyond which trimming is prohibited. A cat's claws contain nerve endings and blood vessels, so if you trim too much, the animal will experience pain and bleeding. If you're unsure how to trim a cat's nails without injuring the animal, carefully study the following photo.

Now that we've covered the sensitive area, here's the final tip: don't trim the claws too close to the sensitive area. Leave a few millimeters extra. Trimming the claws too short will cause discomfort to your cat, even if the sensitive area isn't damaged.

The next point is the positioning of the nippers. If they are positioned parallel to the nail, this can lead to splitting during trimming.

Therefore, hold the nippers as shown in the photo.

The sharper the tool you use, the cleaner the cut. In any case, you can trim the nail with a regular nail file that you use yourself. Just remember to disinfect it before and after. This is what you should get.

This was a tutorial on how to trim your cat's claws yourself using clippers. But we're not done here; we'll look at another way to get rid of scratches on your pet.

This time, the tool of choice is a guillotine trimmer. Here it is in the photo.

This is a more specialized tool for trimming claws and should definitely be used with care. The secret to using a trimmer is to position the cutting blade toward you and trim the claw from top to bottom. This is the only way to properly trim your cat's claws without causing any harm to their health or well-being. See the photo of the process of trimming a cat's claw with a trimmer.

In conclusion, I want to point out that not everything works the first time. Therefore, it's important to know that if you trim too much and the nail starts bleeding, it's okay. Treat your cat's paw with antiseptic. Typically, the bleeding stops within a few minutes, and then the nail heals on its own.

Read also:

• What to do if a cat is ruining everything in the house?
• Anti-scratch mittens for cats
• Is it possible to cut cats' hair?
• Top 10 Best Nail Clippers for Dogs and Cats