My cat won’t let me clip his nails! It is one of the daily struggles of cat owners worldwide.
Cats are known to scratch all over their bodies and territory to mark their territory and flex their bodies. They also tend to wear down their nails’ outer layer. Unfortunately, all of this behavior can damage your furniture and curtains.
Cats need to be scratch-proofed to keep them looking their best. To do this, ensure their surfaces are clean and have plenty of scratch-resistant materials. They also need to be trimmed every 10–14 days. Having the necessary tools at home can help keep their nails in check.
How to Prepare Your Cat’s Nails?
Getting your new kitten used to the process of nail trimming can help you make her life easier. Good habits will allow you to focus on her instead of worrying about other things.
Before you start trying to trim her nails, make sure that she has a good understanding of the sound and sight of the clippers. You can also take them out of their drawer and let her explore with them. It will allow her to feel rewarded for her behavior.
One of the most significant differences between cat and dog nails is that cats have retractable claws. When trimming their nails, you’ll need to squeeze the top and bottom of their feet to extend their claws. If they pull away or flinch, don’t fight them. You can also gently stroke their nails until they’re back to their natural state.
How to Trim Your Cat’s Nails Correctly?
It can be very stressful for people to cut their cats’ nails, but it shouldn’t be an issue for them. According to behaviorists, you can train your cat to accept and enjoy the process. There are a few simple steps that you can take to help ease the stress and keep both you and your cat happy.
Read also: The Best Way to Trim Cat Nails Safely
Set Your Feline’s Mood
In a perfect world, you would start training your cat to accept the idea of having nails trimmed. However, it’s essential to let them get used to it first, which you can do in a calm and quiet location. You can also trim their nails at night, as their bodies are still sleeping.
Keep away from windows and other objects that can distract your pet. Also, if you have a cat, bring it inside so you can sit with them comfortably.
Be Friendly With the Paws
Some cats don’t like having their feet touched. It is a common issue for them, and they should take the time to get used to it.
For this exercise, carefully hold one of your hands between your fingers and gently rub it until it feels like you’re on good terms. If your cat moves, follow their gestures and squeeze the paw until it extends. Repeat this exercise twice a day until they get used to it.
Read also: Why Do Cats Shake Their Paws?
Familiarize Your Cat With the Clippers
Cats are prone to getting anxious when they encounter unfamiliar objects, so you must leave them out so they can explore them. You can also provide them with treats to encourage them to get used to them.
Some cats are afraid of the sound that the clippers make when they’re trimming their nails. To make their fear disappear, place a piece of dry spaghetti inside the clippers. When the animal gets a crack in the noodle, hold it near its feet and gently massage it. You can reward the cat for accepting the noise by putting a reward in its mouth.
Clip Carefully
After you’ve gotten used to the idea, it’s time to start clipping your cat’s paw. To do so, put your cat in your lap and face away from you. Take one of its paws and gently press on the pad until it clearly shows its claw. If trim is needed, just cut the sharp point first and avoid the quick.
After trimming one of your cat’s nails, release the paw and reward them for showing you how much you care. If the cat doesn’t seem to mind the trimming, move on to other nails.
Some cats will start complaining after you have trimmed their nails. Tell them you will stop and let them go if this happens. Reward them with treats or a special toy after the trim to show them that it’s not stressful and that they can have fun. You may have to do it several times to get all their nails done.
Don’t Cut Near the Quick
If you look at your furry friend’s claws, you’ll notice a dark section inside the hard outer surface. It is quick where the blood vessels and nerves are present. Never cut the quick, as it could cause your cat to bleed or make them uncomfortable. If you want to keep the white part of the claw, trim it instead.
It’s always better to leave more of your claw than to cut too deeply. If you trim too deep, you can use a styptic stick or a powder to stop the bleeding. You can purchase these products at pet supply stores.
Set a Clipping Schedule
Cats should have their claws groomed every two to three weeks. Doing so will help keep their nails in check and prevent them from getting overgrown. They can be referred to a veterinarian if you have difficulty clipping their claws.
Experts discourage the practice of declawing cats. It can lead to ongoing pain and complications. Instead, give your cats natural places to scratch and regular nail trimming.
Reward Your Cats After Trimming
If you’ve tried to cut your cat’s nails but just came up with a few measly results, give the animal something.
Give your furry friend something encouraging, happy, or accompanied by a reward, such as a snack or play. It will help teach the cat that getting their nails done is a reward. Your cat should associate the experience with a temporary discomfort, which should allow them to get used to the process of trimming their nails quickly.
Do Cats Hate When They Get Their Claws Trimmed?
It is not distressing for a cat to cut its nails. If you’ve seen the guide, you’ll know that it says you should cut two millimeters away from the pink part of the nail, called the quick. However, if you’re timid, you might want to give the pink part a little more clearance to avoid hurting your cat.
Your cat probably already knew this, so you couldn’t reach that part of the nail before they started to yelp and squirm. Then, while trying to cut the nails, the cat had difficulty running away.
At this point, you probably gave up on trying another day. However, the same thing happened to the cat that other day.
What Can You Do to Cut Your Kitten’s Overgrown Nails?
When you’re ready to trim your cat’s nails, find a comfortable position that’s both safe and comfortable for her. According to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, it’s best to start the procedure when the cat is still relaxed and asleep. It will allow you to remove her nails without dealing with any issues quickly.
Before clipping your cat’s nails, examine its fleshy section, which you can find in the middle of the nails. It is where all the blood vessels and nerves situate. It’s crucial to avoid cutting this section, as it could cause pain and infection.
Conclusion
What can you do when your cat doesn’t let you clip its nails? The step-by-step procedure mentioned above will get the job done.
Choose the right tools for your cat’s claws to get the job done. If your cat’s claws are long enough to curl in a circle, use a pair of scissors. If they’re shorter, use a guillotine-type tool. You can also utilize human nail clippers to cut cat nails.
Regular nail trimming must keep your pet’s hair happy and stress-free. Having a schedule that includes a calm and relaxing experience will allow you to keep your pet’s coat happy and keep your home free of debris.
