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Trimming a cat’s claws is an essential aspect of animal care. When nails are trimmed, they’re less likely to cause scratches, which can benefit owners and their furniture. Regular trims can also help ward off infection by getting rid of older layers of nail. Yet proper feline claw care remains challenging, even for seasoned cat owners. Discover what to do to promote healthy claws below.

Do:

Get your cat used to being handled.

Many aspects of animal care require cats to be handled. The more comfortable your cat becomes with having their feet and other areas touched, the easier activities like nail trimming and check-ups will become.

Master your technique.

animal careIdeally, recruit another person to help—they can gently restrain and soothe your cat while you gently clip off the tip of each nail. Have the cat expose the claw by applying a small amount of pressure on the bottom and top of the toe.

Use the right equipment.

To facilitate the easiest and most comfortable experience for everyone involved, use nail trimmers designed exclusively for use on felines. These can be found at most animal care stores or purchased online.

Don’t:

Cut too short.

At the base of each claw is the quick, which contains nerves and blood. If you trim to the quick, you’ll hurt the cat and cause bleeding. Always err on the side of caution and trim minimally instead of too much. If you do accidentally hit a quick, apply a small amount of corn starch to minimize the bleeding.

Insist on trimming if the cat resists.

A cat won’t always be in the mood for a trimming session. Don’t push when they resist. Doing so could cause them to fear the trimming experience. Just try again later.

Declaw.

For anyone with limited knowledge of cats, declawing might seem like a practical way to avoid having to trim nails. However, because of the possible complications of this procedure, including behavioral changes and pain, most veterinarians don’t offer this service anymore.

 

If you’re struggling to trim your cat’s claws, seek professional help from Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital. They’ve served the community since 1972 with a full scope of animal care, including wellness exams and after-hours emergency care. Explore their full list of services online, or call (808) 671-7387 to schedule an appointment.

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