Trimming a cat's claws every two to three weeks is an important part of maintaining your pet's health.
Starting nail trims as soon as 6-8 weeks of age is recommended to get them used to the procedure, even if you're only able to do one paw at a time. Start slow, offer breaks, and give them a high value treat with every nail trim: think feline greenies or other treats or canned cat food.
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 may get torn out and cause bleeding or other problems for the cat.
Both indoor and outdoor cats need to have their nails trimmed because their nails can be snagged and caught in soft surfaces, or the cat may lose their ability to retract their claws altogether. Arthritic cats, indoors or out, usually don't exercise enough to keep their nails short via scratching.
They also scratch to trim their nails. Outdoor cats probably use some tree around. However, your cat is an indoor cat, a scratching post may come in handy. And if you do not have a scratching post … well, then you will find it difficult to stop your cat scratching the sofa - regardless of your opinion about that.
Don't get too close to the pink part of the nail called "the quick," where blood vessels and nerve endings lie. Just like the pink part of a human fingernail, the quick is very sensitive; cutting into this area will likely cause bleeding and pain.
Declawing is a cruel procedure that permanently mutilates the cat, and can result in unnecessary pain and discomfort, as well as emotional and behavioral issues. Instead of cruel tactics like declawing, help your kitten get used to regular nail trimming by starting to trim her claws at 4 weeks of age.
Applying nail caps — Nail caps, such as Soft Paws, can be applied to your cat's nails as a protective shield. While they need to be replaced every couple of months, depending on how quickly your cat's nails grow, they are an excellent alternative to declawing.
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.)
Ideally, trim your cat's nails when they are sleepy, such as after a meal. Stay away from windows and other pets that may distract you or them. You may want to bring your cat somewhere you can comfortably sit with them in your lap.
In general, cats should be given a bath once every 4-6 weeks, depending on how often they groom themselves, and the environment they're usually in. If your cat is more outdoorsy and soils itself while playing, it's a good idea to help with the grooming process as they alone won't be able to properly get cleaned.
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.
One or two brushings per week will help kitty to keep her healthy glow—and you'll find that regular sessions are especially beneficial when your cat ages and is no longer able to groom so meticulously on her own. Before brushing, check out the condition of your kitty's coat.
WHY DOES MY CAT HATE GETTING ITS NAILS CUT? Cats' claws are like humans' nails in that both have cuticles, quicks, and 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.
You'll know it's time for a kitty nail trim when the claws are long, curved, and razor-sharp. The time between trimmings varies depending on a cat's activity level and scratching habits. For the most part, cats require nail cutting about every 2-3 weeks.
To maintain their sharpness, cats' nails grow in layers. When a cat is sharpening his claws, what he is actually doing is removing the old outer layer. Cats have a natural instinct to sharpen their claws.
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.
Purring. In many cases, soft, gentle purrs signal your cat's satisfaction with the world, providing an audible sign of her contentment. But purring doesn't always indicate happiness; some cats also purr when they are hungry or stressed.