Although your pets may not seem to enjoy nail clipping, it benefits their health in several ways. Many creatures need to have their claws trimmed. They include cats, dogs, rabbits, birds and even guinea pigs.
In most cases, clipping your cat's claws is unnecessary as they'll naturally file down their own nails. Active, outdoor cats shouldn't need their claws trimmed. But indoor or older cats are more likely to have longer claws and may need a helping hand.
Common side effects of declawing cats
Over time, some unwanted side effects started to appear, including aggression, pain, problems with litter box use, reduced ability to catch themselves when they slip from high up, complications after the surgery, excessive biting, and the reduced ability to defend when in danger.
Just like the pink part of a human fingernail, the quick is very sensitive; cutting into this area will likely cause bleeding and pain.
Long nails can cause injury to your cat's paw or leg because once their long nail hits the ground it adds unnecessary pressure to the foot or leg area. Additionally, if left unkempt, long nails can be dangerous for your cat when they want to retract their claws.
They also scratch to trim their nails. Outdoor cats probably use some tree around. However, your cat is an indoor cat, a scratching post may come in handy. And if you do not have a scratching post … well, then you will find it difficult to stop your cat scratching the sofa - regardless of your opinion about that.
If the quick is clipped, it causes a lot of pain and bleeding. Injury is most likely the reason your cat hates getting their nails trimmed; once they feel that pain, they know what to avoid. A well-trained cat will not mind getting its nails trimmed.
Cats are naturally able to file their nails and trim them on different surfaces, such as the trunk of a tree. However, in the case of a domestic cat that does not have the opportunity to find plants on which to trim his claws, it is essential to put in one or more scratching posts.
Absolutely! Your cat will instinctively scratch, not just to keep their nails trimmed but to strengthen the muscles that allow them to retract their claws.
You can try wrapping your cat in a towel (the kitty burrito approach), exposing one leg at a time. You can get someone to help you, so one of you can restrain the cat while the other person trims the nails. Make sure that your helper knows how to properly and safely restrain a cat.
Cats CAN learn to understand that their claws hurt you if you let them know gently. But a cat's claws are naturally sharp and are a necessary part of a cat. They don't think about using them, they're just there.
They're soft, small, and just unexplainably adorable. But there is a reason why most cats don't like their paws touched: their paws are extremely sensitive. Cat paws contain large concentrations of nerve receptors, turning your cat's cute paws into finely tuned sensory organs.
Some cats enjoy gentle scratching, especially if you have long fingernails.
Just stick to the white safe area at the tip and if you can see the quick it's best to clip about 3-4mm below this. It's very rare to make a claw bleed as the quick is usually obvious but if you do notice any blood, stop and call your vet for advice.
It means that your cat wants attention and trusts you enough to touch her belly. Remember your cat's belly is the most vulnerable spot on her body. If she allows you to pet her in this area, then she trusts you completely.
Why do some cats dislike belly rubs? Hair follicles on the belly and tail area are hypersensitive to touch, so petting there can be overstimulating, Provoost says. “Cats prefer to be pet and scratched on the head, specifically under their chin and cheeks,” where they have scent glands, Provoost says.
Your cat puts her paws on you to transfer scent
Depositing scent on an object or person is not really about marking territory, claiming possession, or dominating, as some people think. To the cat, it's about making his world smell like him – a smell that is familiar, comforting, and safe.
The Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing and tendonectomies except for rare cases when it's necessary for medical purposes, such as the removal of cancerous nail bed tumors.
All cats, even indoor cats, need their claws for balance, mobility, protection, grooming, and gripping prey and objects.
However, sensitivity is not the only reason why your cat doesn't like their paws to be touched. In a way, when you hold your cat's paw, you're neutralizing their defence mechanism: the claws, which makes your cat feel vulnerable and trapped, and that's why they bite.
Clip the tip.
With the proper clippers, clip the very tip of the claw. Don't cut them too short as you could hurt your cat. Avoid the quick at the base of the claw by the toes – this is the bit that will look pink. If you cut this, it will be very painful for your cat and will make them bleed.