If a cat's claws are not trimmed on a regular basis, they can curl in on themselves and grow into the foot pad, causing intense pain. Untrimmed nails can also pose a hazard to people and furniture, both of which can be injured by too-long claws.
If you're wondering whether it is necessary to trim a cat's claws, trimming a cat's claws every few weeks is an important part of maintaining your pet's health. Not only does a quick trim protect you, your pet and your family, it can also save your sofa, curtains and other furniture.
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.
What to do if? Cat nails never stop growing, which can mean bad news for anything that crosses their path because cats scratch to buff and shorten them. Nail trimming can prevent a cat from scratching belongings. Scratch posts or scratch mats can help as well.
Provide a scratching post or three!
Having a few scratching posts around the house can be a great way to encourage them to wear those claws down (and save your carpets and furniture!). Some cats like vertical scratching posts and others prefer horizontal, like a scratching box.
Your cat should be at ease with the sound of the clippers before you attempt to trim her nails. Sit her on your lap, put a piece of uncooked spaghetti into the clippers and hold them near your cat. (If she sniffs the clippers, set a treat on top of them for her to eat.)
A nail trim is usually one of the least expensive cat grooming services on the "spa" menu. Paying a groomer to clip your cat's nails will cost you an average of $10-$15.
Myth #2 – They Cause Damage To The Nail And Nail Bed
When the nail caps are applied correctly, there should never be able damage or discomfort to the cat's paws or nail beds. Correct application includes: Choosing the nail cap size that is a comfortable fit and shape for each cat's nails.
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 train your kitten or your cat to use a scratching post and discourage them from scratching on furniture, drapes, and carpets.
Your cat's feet should always be kept clean.
Aside from causing pain, unhealthy substances that stick to her feet may end up on her tongue during grooming. Once each day, give your cat's paws a gentle wipe with a damp cloth, checking between her toes and around the paw pads.
For the most part, cats require nail cutting about every 2-3 weeks. Mature cats usually need more frequent nail clippings than kittens. Make sure you provide a scratching post to support your cat's instinctive urge to claw and to keep those nails trimmed between clipping sessions.
It's extremely cruel to inflict this sort of thing on your cat as it stops them from displaying their natural behaviours. “It's worrying that claw covers for both cats and dogs can be so easily sought from the internet. Pets are not fashion items.
“It is normal for a cat to fuss at them for the first application or two, as they tend to do at anything that feels different,” Molloy says. “However, most cats get used to them after the first few applications.” It may take a few days of wearing the nail caps for your cat to get used to them, so be patient.
Garner advised those eager to try claw caps to make sure there are no obvious signs of injury to the nails or nail beds. If you're unsure, veterinary clinics or grooming facilities can often apply claw caps for a minor fee.
Soft Cat Nail Caps will fit most kittens by the time they reach the age of 16 weeks. Some kittens can wear them as early as age 12 weeks. To test, try a nail cap on first without the adhesive. If it looks too big, don't glue it on.
Each kit contains 40 nail caps so one kit will last approximately 4-6 months per cat. Note: While the vast majority of cats acclimate to the claw covers within minutes, some cats may require an adjustment period. Cats' fastidious natures sometimes cause them to groom the claw covers excessively at first.
The other style of nail clippers is called a scissors style; two blades come together, like a pair of scissors. Either of these can be safely used with cats. In fact, you can even use human nail clippers on cats.
The bottom line is, while there are some bacteria on our pet's paws, in general the risk to pet owners is low. Use good general hygiene washing your hands after handling pets and cleaning countertops before preparing food. Clean your pet's paws as needed but there's no need to be fanatic about it.
They bite their fur when getting rid of tangles and lick after so that they can be as clean and soft as possible. If your cat licks and bites you repetitively and seemingly with intent, then fear not, your are being groomed. This is a part of normal cat interaction and often happens among siblings and preferred humans.
Signs of Cat Anxiety
If your cat has anxiety, you may notice pacing or restlessness, hiding, decreased appetite, vocalization, hypervigilance, trembling, salivation, and excessive grooming.
It is better to trim small increments often than take off too much and cause injury. You'll trim the back feet in the same way as the front. The only tricky claws to trim are the "thumb" claws on the front paws.
Toys that can be chased, swatted, and batted should be provided. Species appropriate punishment such as “hissing” or the use of punishment devices such as a water sprayer, can of compressed air, or hand held alarm are better than using any physical techniques since they are less likely to lead to fear and retaliation.