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- Should the cat's nails be cut?
- How often should I cut my cat's nails?
- How to Cut Cat's Nails - Recommendations
Scratching is probably cats' second favorite activity after sleeping. The claws that felines have are not a mere instrument of play and destruction, but also a defense mechanism is practical tool which will be useful for the pet in many situations.
Although it is not always necessary to cut your cat's nails, there are cases where you should have this regular care, such as cats without access to scratchers or other objects to sharpen their nails, elderly cats, etc. In this article by PeritoAnimal, we clarify your question: "When to cut the cat's nails?". Keep reading and find out!
Should the cat's nails be cut?
In the wild, the cat is able to maintain the state of the nails on its own, grinding and sharpening on various surfaces such as tree trunks. However, it is more difficult for a house cat to maintain the condition of its nails when it does not have a scratcher. To prevent him from feeling bothered when walking and that it damages your furniture, it is necessary to cut the cat's nails.
You scratchers are essential, since scratching is instinctive in the cat. He sharpens his nails to preserve their condition, but it also ends up releasing stress through the act. In addition to these two benefits, the cat still communicates with others of the same species when sharpening the nails, leaving marks that indicate his presence and delimit territory.
That's why the ideal is to place several scratchers in different places in the house, thus preventing your cat from sharpening his nails and scratching everything he finds. If you scold the feline for this, preventing him from releasing his instincts, it will affect your pet's physical and mental health. Teach your cat to use the scraper, although not all cats want or can use this object.
Generally, cats that walk and play outside do not require the tutor to cut their nails, unlike those that spend time indoors.
How often should I cut my cat's nails?
The frequency of nail trimming depends a lot on the your cat's activity, of his daily games and the need to sharpen his nails without damaging the furniture in the house.
In general, the nails of the front paws need to be cut twice a month, ie every fortnight. The hind legs only need a monthly cut in most cases.
The use of scrapers can postpone the time to cut your nails because, as mentioned before, wearing your nails is one of the benefits it offers. To find out if you need to cut your cat's nails, try noticing if you can listen to the claws when the cat runs and you hear the sound they make against the ground. In that case, they have already grown too much and must be cut.
How to Cut Cat's Nails - Recommendations
Now that you know when to cut the cat's nails, you are probably asking how this should be done. This is an activity that requires a lot of care and attention not to hurt the cat or cause trauma.
- buy one scissors for cutting cat nails. Never use regular scissors.
- You have silver nitrate nearby, a substance that stops bleeding in the event of a cut.
- Get your cat used to clipping his nails from an early age so that he can associate the practice with something positive.
- If you've never cut the nails of an adult cat, be patient and gentle. You can wrap the cat in a towel and place it in your lap, pulling out one at a time to cut the nails. You can also ask another person for help so that one person grabs the kitten while the other cuts the claws. don't forget to use wide and thick gloves can be very useful for this.
- When you have the paw in your hand, press each little finger lightly and the claws will come out on their own. Find the white nail and the section located in the center, usually dark or reddish in color. Cut only the white part to avoid nerve mutilation, something that will make your pet bleed and feel a lot of pain. In dark-haired cats, the nail is usually coffee-colored and, in the nerve center, a little darker in tone.
- If you accidentally cut the nerve, quickly add some silver nitrate to the area. It is possible that a lot of blood is coming out.
- If your cat gets nervous and squirms excessively, making it impossible to handle, don't force the nail clippings. You could end up hurting your pet unintentionally.
- Keep calm as you trim the cat's nails, using a calm tone of voice so that the cat feels that calm.
- Keep bits of your cat's favorite food nearby to offer a reward when you're done cutting. If you ever use this positive reinforcement, the cat will be calmer with time.
- Never yell or threaten the cat if he won't let you cut his nails.
- In long-haired cats, it can be very useful to moisten the fur on the paws before trimming the nails so that the fur is spread out and working with more comfort and precision.
- Never pull out your cat's nails, as this procedure is considered a mutilation that harms the feline physically and mentally.
- If you don't feel safe to cut the cat's nails yourself, consult your veterinarian so that he can do it without taking any risks.
