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.
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.
When Is It Time for a Cat Nail Trim? 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.
Scratching surfaces will not “trim” their nails. You'll save your furniture, prevent “snag” accidents, and enjoy playing with them.
Keep Em' Short. If your cat's claws are beginning to curl, it is an indication that they are too long. Natural trimming occurs when animals are in regular contact with hard surfaces such as concrete or road pavement. Most indoor cats don't take long walks that are lengthy enough to keep their claws short.
Although your pets may not seem to enjoy nail clipping, it benefits their health in several ways. Many creatures need to have their claws trimmed. They include cats, dogs, rabbits, birds and even guinea pigs.
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.
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.
Clip the tip.
With the proper clippers, clip the very tip of the claw. Don't cut them too short as you could hurt your cat. Avoid the quick at the base of the claw by the toes – this is the bit that will look pink. If you cut this, it will be very painful for your cat and will make them bleed.
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.
Cats will typically scratch and bite to trim their own nails, but it's still important for owners to check their nails about once a month. If the nail looks short and stubby, the cat has been keeping up with its nails enough on its own. If the nail has a circular curve like a hook, it's time to clip.
For indoor cats, nail trimming in general should be done every ten days to two weeks. A senior indoor or outdoor cat will often develop thick, brittle nails that need to be trimmed more often than when they're a kitten.
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.
While it is not dangerous to use a human nail cutter it may cause the nails to split. This can make your job more difficult and may be painful for your cat. All pet stores carry pet nail clippers. Investing in a good pair can save you a lot of time and money down the road.
If your cat has white nails, you should be able to see the quick; your goal is not to cut too closely to the quick. If your cat has dark nails and you cannot see the quick, aim to cut at the point where the nail curves or hooks downward.
Whiskers are vital to your cat's awareness and contribute largely to helping them understand the world around them. Vets and experts agree that whiskers should never be trimmed or cut. Clipping your cat's whiskers would be like taking away part of their vision or sense of smell.
Additionally, long nails are more prone to breaking, which can be both painful and dangerous for your cat. They are more likely to get snagged on clothing, carpets, and furniture, too. As cats age, they typically use a scratching post less and less and therefore need even more regular nail care.
Of course, cats know their claws hurt
A cat's claws come into use for many different things that aid the cat in survival. A cat's claws are a means of protecting themselves. It comes into play in that flight or response when a cat is scared. And can be used in either way of that stress response.
Letting your cat's nails grow unchecked can result in overgrown cat claws, which are uncomfortable and dangerous. Long cat nails can cause a range of problems from grooming troubles to serious infection and injury.
However, sensitivity is not the only reason why your cat doesn't like their paws to be touched. In a way, when you hold your cat's paw, you're neutralizing their defence mechanism: the claws, which makes your cat feel vulnerable and trapped, and that's why they bite.