If you're wondering whether it is necessary to trim a cat's claws, trimming a cat's claws every few 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.
Kind veterinarians will not declaw. As Dr. Nichols Dodman of the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine says, “Declawing is abhorrent and inhumane,” and as Dr.
Cats are in pain when they awake from the surgery, and the pain continues afterward. Nails can grow back inside the paw, causing extreme pain that you can't see. Without claws, even house-trained cats might start “doing their business” outside the litterbox in an attempt to mark their territory.
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.
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.)
The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their owners or to prevent damage to household property.
Keeping your cat's claws trimmed is good grooming and will reduce the damage done by sharp nails. If possible, get the cat used to having their claws trimmed while they are still young. Never encourage a cat to play roughly with hands or feet. Instead, give them a toy to kick and claw.
For the most part, cats require nail cutting about every 2-3 weeks. Mature cats usually need more frequent nail clippings than kittens. Make sure you provide a scratching post to support your cat's instinctive urge to claw and to keep those nails trimmed between clipping sessions.
In addition to the possibility of very painful scratches, it can be a risk to your cat's health if you don't trim their nails. Long nails can cause injury to your cat's paw or leg because once their long nail hits the ground it adds unnecessary pressure to the foot or leg area.
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. Correct application includes: Choosing the nail cap size that is a comfortable fit and shape for each cat's nails.
For example, cats scratch to mark their territory. 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.
Trim Tiger's claws: While trimming your cat's nails won't stop it from scratching the furniture, it will render their nails a little less destructive by keeping the tips from getting too sharp. This is also an important part of routine grooming for all cats and should be done regularly.
Use your clippers to trim the tip of your cat's nail. Rather than cutting straight across, aim for a 45-degree angle, which lets the nail rest comfortably on the ground when your cat walks.
Toys that can be chased, swatted, and batted should be provided. Species appropriate punishment such as “hissing” or the use of punishment devices such as a water sprayer, can of compressed air, or hand held alarm are better than using any physical techniques since they are less likely to lead to fear and retaliation.
Scratching their claws on trees is typical of most cats and is done for various reasons. They do this in order to keep their claws sharp so that hunting and tearing skin and meat off of their prey will be an easy task. Scratching the trees also keeps the claws clean and free from infection.
Declawing of cats is illegal in Australia and is not ethical. Cats are naturally territorial and during scratching they leave both visual messages (the scratch mark) and invisible messages (pheromones from their paws).
As an owner, the biggest benefit of declawing a cat is that you won't have to worry about painful scratches anymore. Declawing a cat also prevents damage to household items like a rug or a piece of clothing. Some pet owners report better behavior from their cats after declawing.
You've Hit the Spot
Although elevator butt may seem rather insulting to us, it's actually the cat's very positive response to the fact that you've hit just the right spot when petting her. Typically, that spot is at the base of her tail.
If your nails aren't cut and allowed to grow, dirt and germs can get under them, causing infections. If your nails are long, you're more likely to bite or pick at them, which can also cause infections.
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. You can train your kitten or your cat to use a scratching post and discourage them from scratching on furniture, drapes, and carpets.
Dr. Garner advised those eager to try claw caps to make sure there are no obvious signs of injury to the nails or nail beds. If you're unsure, veterinary clinics or grooming facilities can often apply claw caps for a minor fee.
“It is normal for a cat to fuss at them for the first application or two, as they tend to do at anything that feels different,” Molloy says. “However, most cats get used to them after the first few applications.” It may take a few days of wearing the nail caps for your cat to get used to them, so be patient.