Claws Paws

Claws Paws

Clipping A Cat's Claws

From time to time, your cat may need his, or her, claws clipped. Of course, you can get this done by a veterinarian or a pet groomer. However, it is perfectly possible to do it yourself in the comfort of your own home.

If you plan to cut your cat's claws, you should ensure that you have a high quality set of clippers. These can be bought from any pet store and do not tend to be too expensive. However, it is advisable to avoid particularly cheap clippers, as these may not work very well and, more importantly, could cause the claw to splinter.

Preparation

Before beginning to trim your cat's claws, it is advisable to ensure that he, or she, is calm. Therefore, I recommend selecting a time when your cat is at its calmest, for example after a meal. If you have children in the house, make sure that they remain quiet while you are in the process of cutting the claws, because a sudden fright for the cat, or you, could lead to serious injury.

It is a good idea to place the cat in a stable place, such as the floor, a table or a cozy lap. If your cat dislikes having his, or her, nails clipped, you may find it beneficial to have somebody help you. This person can hold the cat still to ensure that sudden movements do not lead to injury.

It is always a good idea to stroke a cat's paws often, especially if you have a young kitten. Some cats passionately dislike having their paws touched, so it is a good idea to get them used to it from a young age.

How to Clip a Cat's Claws

First, pick up one of the cat's front paws and place your finger on the pad and the thumb on top. Then, gently pull back the fur to reveal the claws. Next, take the clippers, being carefully not to hold them at right angles, as this can lead to splintering, and trim the nail between the tip and the quick.

The quick of a cat's claw is easy to see, because it is pink in color. If you trim the nail too far, it will cause bleeding. So it is advisable to be careful about the amount of claw that you trim.

If your cat is calm, this procedure should take no more than a few minutes. If, however, your cat becomes stressed, it is wise to stop and begin again when he, or she, is more relaxed.

A tip for getting your cat to accept claw trimming is to give him, or her, a lovely treat, either a toy or a tasty morsel, afterwards. This will enable the cat to associate claw cutting with a favorite food or some playtime.

How Often Do I Need to Cut My Cat's Claws?

It is advisable to check your cat's claws once every fortnight. However, whether they will need trimming this frequently depends upon the cat and his, or her, lifestyle. Typically, indoor cats will need to have their claws trimmed more frequently than outdoor cats, simply because they are not being worn down naturally.

Usually, a cat's rear claws will not need to be trimmed, because they will chew these. However, it is a good idea to keep an eye on them. If they are getting too long and your cat scratches with its back legs, it is a good idea to trim them, too.

Of course, if you have difficulty clipping your cat's claws, it is a wise to seek the assistance of a vet or a pet groomer. However, you should bear in mind that this could also cause your cat distress.

About the Author

Samantha Markham is a professional freelance writer, based in the UK. She works for remmeer.com, a unique supplier of pet products and gift ideas, including gifts for the cat lover and unique cat picture frame styles.

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