Most cats don't like to have their nails trimmed and some will absolutely not tolerate it. If your cat won't even allow you to hold his or her paws, you may have to rely on a pet groomer or your cat's vet to trim your pet's nails.
The quick contains the nerves and blood vessels of the nail. 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.
Try massaging the skin over your cat's neck to find out if this technique relaxes her. You'll know within a few seconds. If she relaxes, continue the massage. Then get the nail clippers ready and try one nail.
Providing a Scratching Area for Your Cat
Scratching posts are usually a good alternative. They should be sturdy and not tip over, and at least three feet tall. They should be covered in a durable material like carpeting, sisal, or thick burlap.
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.
If not trimmed or filed down, these nails can keep growing to a point where they are uncomfortable for the cat or may even curl back into their toe or paw pad. In some cases, long nails can get get torn out and cause bleeding or other problems for the cat.
Scratching surfaces will not “trim” their nails. You'll save your furniture, prevent “snag” accidents, and enjoy playing with them.
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.
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.
Many veterinarians do recommend cat claw caps as a humane and effective way to prevent cats from scratching and causing damage to furniture and other surfaces.
Trimming a cat's claws every two to three 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.
The frequency with which you trim their nails depends on their lifestyle. If they are an outdoor cat they will naturally scratch their fingers more often so you won't need to do it too much. Indoor cat's should be checked every two weeks and trimmed if their nails look uncomfortably long.
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.
Just like our nails, cat claws are always growing. You might not notice your cat's claws getting longer, as they're good at keeping them a good length by scratching.
You'll know it's time for a kitty nail trim when the claws are long, curved, and razor-sharp.
According to the experts we spoke with, cat claw caps have a variety of benefits, as well as some potential downsides. Some veterinarians recommend them, while others advise cat parents to steer clear.
Blood pressure medication: Cat's claw may lower blood pressure. If you take medication for high blood pressure, taking cat's claw may cause your blood pressure to be too low. Other medications: Cat's claw may interfere with some medications that are processed by the liver.
Nail caps are a safe, humane, comfortable, and generally effective way to minimize destructive clawing. But there are other solutions you may want to explore, especially if your cat isn't fond of the caps. Keep in mind, it's virtually impossible to eliminate your cat's urge to scratch.
The short answer is yes, you should trim your cat's claws if they're getting too long. If left untrimmed, your cat's claws can grow too long and start to curl under, which can be painful for your kitty. Long claws can also cause damage to furniture, carpets, and other household items.
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.
Select locations offer grooming & bathing services for cats like nail trim, nail caps application, ear cleaning & sanitary trim.
Once the nail caps are applied they remain in place for approximately 4-6 weeks. They will fall off with the natural growth of your cat's nails. We recommend that you check your cat's nails periodically because usually just one or two fall off at a time and these can be easily reapplied.