Is it possible to cut a cat's claws and how to do it correctly?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The cat is one of the first animals accustomed by man. Many people can no longer imagine their lives without them. This article will address the issue of proper care for the claws of these pets. After all, it is not enough just to have an animal, it is important to learn how to properly care for it. Not all owners know if cats can trim their claws.

Unfortunately, not all people who decide to have a pet have a high degree of responsibility and are aware that this is not a toy, but a living creature that needs care. Volunteer kennels report deplorable statistics.

Many animals found on the street are in the past pets, whose owners did not calculate their strength. Sometimes the owners themselves bring animals to nurseries, explaining that the cat or cat has torn expensive furniture upholstery, wallpaper, or ruined something else with its claws. Who is to blame? An animal that lives by instinct, or a person who has not taken the proper steps to prevent the occurrencethis situation? It is a pity that not all owners know whether it is possible to cut a cat's claws in order to protect interior items and furniture from damage. If desired, each owner will be able to carry out such a procedure on their own.

How to properly care for the claws of an animal

For those who decide to have a cat at home, it is important to know how to properly care for her claws. Veterinarians give the following advice:

1. It's easier to teach a small kitten to cut its claws, and this procedure is unpleasant. You can start it from the second week of life.
2. Cut the nails to a tired, almost sleepy animal. Some breeders suggest "swaddling" the cat in order to avoid injury. This advice is not without meaning. You need to talk with the animal, calm it down, massage its paw pads. Otherwise, it simply won't let you near its claws.
3. If the animal is fluffy, then wool will grow between its claws, which must be cut, otherwise it will roll into tangles and seriously complicate the movement of the pet.

Mandatory procedure

Many owners are wondering if it is possible to trim a cat's claws. Most owners are trying to protect furniture and walls from damage. It is necessary to cut the claws of the animal, as it is quite inconvenient for them to move with large claws.

There is an erroneous opinion that after cutting the claws, the animal loses the habit of sharpening themabout furniture. This is not true. Over time, the claws will grow, so the desire to “undermine” the kitty will arise automatically, at a reflex level. Nothing can be done about this. However, some veterinarians advise using special silicone caps, and experienced cat breeders agree that they are uncomfortable. Furry households are constantly trying to get rid of them. As an alternative, it is proposed to purchase a scratching post. This useful item can become a very attractive interior object. Modern pet supply manufacturers offer customers a huge selection of different options.

Suitable instrument for the procedure

Many are interested in whether it is possible to cut a cat's claws at home with ordinary scissors. Theoretically yes, but veterinarians advise using special tools. To date, there is a large assortment of such manicure sets for animals. This is:

1. Files. They must be very hard, since the claws of an animal are much stronger than human nails.
2. Cutters. This tool is not recommended for beginners. It should be held at a certain angle. Otherwise, the claw of the animal will begin to exfoliate.
3. Trimmer - stapler. This device is for those who first carry out the procedure with their pet. With a simple press on the handle of the tool, a special blade extends, which instantly removes the claw.
4. Special nail scissors.

The basic rule for everyonetools - the handle must be made of rubber, otherwise the hand may slip off. Answering the question whether it is possible to cut a cat's claws with ordinary scissors, it must be said that this is not the best option. As mentioned above, the structure of the cat's claw is somewhat different, so it is better to use special tools to care for them.

Features of the procedure: step-by-step algorithm of actions

Can I trim my cat's nails at home? Make it real. Veterinarians recommend following these instructions:

1. Prepare hydrogen peroxide and cotton pads. Treat tools with an alcohol solution.
2. We fix the paw of the animal, hold it tight, but do not cause pain. If the animal desperately resists desperately, in this case, it is better to postpone the cutting of the claws or entrust it to professionals. If you try to "twist" a restless pet, then there is a high probability of dislocating his paw.
3. Lightly with fingers on both sides press on the soft pad, thereby the claw will appear completely.
4. Raise the foot to the light so that the claw can be seen. It has a white color, and inside there is a small island of pink. In no case should this part of the claw be touched, because the animal has nerve endings there! You need to cut only the white part, that is, the very tip.

Thus we process each claw. At the same time, it must be remembered that cats and cats have five claws on their front paws, and four on their back paws.

During the procedurebe sure to praise the animal, even if it behaves very badly.

End of procedure

After cutting, we process each claw with a nail file, and then with a cotton pad dipped in hydrogen peroxide. At the end of the procedure, you need to give the animal its favorite treat. Over time, praise and treats will make nail clipping a routine for your pet.

What to do if an animal is hurt

If the paw is damaged in the process of cutting the claw, the main thing is to remain calm. Uncertainty, stress and fear will be intuitively transmitted to the animal. In this case, we apply hydrogen peroxide to a cotton pad and treat the damage site. The physiology of cats is such that they stop bleeding fairly quickly.

Frequency of the procedure

We figured out whether it is possible to cut the claws of a cat. How often should this procedure be carried out? There is a general rule that a haircut should be done once every two weeks, but this is not a guide to action. The answer to the question is strictly individual for each breeder. Consider the following factors:

• If an animal has dark claws, they grow more slowly. You can cut them once every three weeks.
• If a pet loves cottage cheese, sour cream, cheese, that is, its food is enriched with calcium, then the claws will grow faster.
• The pet's lifestyle also plays a huge role. If the animal leads an active lifestyle, then its claws grind off themselves. If the cat is a couch potato, then he has a haircut and control procedurenecessary.
• You need to periodically inspect the paws of the animal, and from what you see, draw conclusions and decide on the timing of cutting the claws.

Conclusion

Can a cat's nails be trimmed? Yes, you can. The question is how to do it right. If the owner is not sure that he can carry out this procedure correctly without injuring himself or the animal, or the pet has such a temperament that persuasion and swaddling by force do not bring results, then it is better to entrust this matter to professionals. Now, at veterinary clinics, specialists carry out similar procedures. They will not only carry out the procedure competently, safely and without stress for the animal, but they will also give advice on how to properly care for the claws. As for the question, is it possible for a cat to cut its claws with scissors, then the answer is ambiguous. In principle, you can use scissors, but it is better to purchase a special tool for this purpose.