How to cut cat's claws? Is there any need to do this? In foreign countries, from time to time discussions flare up about the usefulness of cat claws. Some veterinarians believe that these horn formations are not needed. They insist on the need for claw destruction operations. In our country, such a procedure is not popular, as it is considered barbaric.
Is it necessary
Is it possible or impossible to cut claws of cats? What are the arguments proving the need for this procedure?
Overgrown claws do not allow the pet to run fast, interfere with playing.
Horn formations can get stuck in dense curtains, voluminous carpets. When the animal tries to free itself, they can completely break out of the legs.
Cat's claws can grow into the skin. Removing them will require a painful operation.
When can cats cut their nails?
At what age does a pet begin to need a manicure? When the owners are forced to think about how to cut the claws of a cat? Ideally, an animal should be accustomed to this procedure after it turns one month old. The sooner the pet gets used to it, the easier it will be to make him a manicure.
Very small kittens do not need such a service. Their claws are still too tender, there is a danger of damage to blood vessels. Of course, it’s really possible to train an adult cat to haircut, but the owners will have to tinker.
How often do it
It’s important not only how to cut the cat’s nails. It is also necessary to decide how often to do this. Unfortunately, a universal answer to such a question does not exist. The growth rate of horn formations depends on various factors. Health status, diet, pet activity - every detail plays a role.
Claws should be cut as they grow. Some pets need this every two weeks. For other pets, it is enough to do a manicure once every three to four weeks. Veterinarians do not recommend doing this less than once a month.
How to understand that it's time to cut your claws
How often to cut cat's claws? There are signs that allow you to guess that the pet needs a manicure:
- The cat begins to move slower, less willing to respond to the invitation to play.
- Claws tangled in fluffy rugs, fleecy carpets, tight curtains.
- When the pet moves on the bare floor, there is a knock.
- The cat begins to leave scratches on the skin of its owners, on the furniture.
Which tool to choose
How to cut cat's claws at home? Many owners make manicure for their pets, armed with ordinary scissors. This method has the right to exist, but it’s much more convenient to use a special nail clipper.
In the pet store you can find models, the description of which is given below:
- Scissors clippers. This model is most popular with pet owners. Externally, the tool resembles ordinary scissors, but there are differences. The blade of such a nail clipper is curved at the ends, and not straight. A cat's claw is inserted into a kind of hole, then the rings are closed.
- Guillotine claw cutters. The ominous name of the model is due to the fact that it functions according to the guillotine principle. A claw is inserted into a special hole, then with the help of handles the blade is lowered. The overgrown part is easily removed.
- Nail clippers. Externally, the fixture really resembles a popular locksmith tool. Claw must be inserted into the crevice between the edges of the device, and then put the tool into action using the handles. The overgrown part easily bounces off sharp blades.
- Grinder claws. This tool consists of a pen and an emery tip. For its operation, batteries are needed, which repels many pet owners. Claw with the help of this model is not cut off, but is ground. This device is preferred in grooming salons, for use in everyday life it is better to choose mechanical tools.
When choosing a model, you need to pay attention to the blade, it should be sharp. If you cut the claws with blunt scissors, this will lead to delamination.
Preparation for the procedure
How to cut the claws of a cat with a nail clipper?
First you need to prepare everything you need for the procedure:
- The tool itself. It must be disinfected, make sure the sharpness of the blade.
- Cotton wool, styptic solution. If everything is done correctly, they will not be needed.
- Hard nail file. With its help it will be possible to correct the tips. This is necessary so that the animal does not catch its paws when walking, does not spoil the furniture. For this, you can use not only a file, but also a bar, sandpaper.
Where to begin
How to cut the claws of a cat so that the pet easily transfers this procedure? A pet should not do manicure when it is sick, it feels bad. It is also better to avoid time when the animal is excited or hungry. It’s ideal to do this when the cat is sleeping or sleeping.
To do everything right, first you need to carefully examine the claws from the inside. In most cases, these formations are translucent, so it is easy to see the beginning of blood vessels. Claws need to be shortened up to 2 mm from the sensitive area, which is indicated by a pink shell.
A problem may occur if the claws of the animal are dark. In this case, it is better to cut them in several steps, grabbing 1-2 mm at a time. This will avoid damage to nerve endings.
Step-by-step instruction
How to cut a cat’s nails with a nail clipper? The algorithm of actions is given below:
- It is necessary to arrange the pet so that it is as comfortable as possible. To fix this position, you can press the body of the animal to a soft base or hold the paws with your hands. We must not forget that the cause of injuries and cuts is most often the cat’s attempt to break free during the procedure.
- The instrument is best taken in the right hand, of course, if the owner is not left-handed. With the other hand, gently push the soft foot of the pet in the center. This is necessary so that the fingers of the animal are opened, the claws are advanced.
- The tool must be held perpendicular to the claw, this will avoid delamination of the plate. The edge is cropped in one go. Several procedures will be enough for the owner to gain the necessary experience. Further sessions will take only a few minutes.
- Claw edge correction is the final stage, the importance of which many forget. Thanks to this procedure, the animal will not spoil the furniture, catch paws when walking.
Wound treatment
Even if the owner knows how to cut the claws of a cat, no one is safe from accidents. For example, a pet may try to break free during a procedure. What to do if the cutting process did not go quite smoothly, the animal got a wound? Keeping calm is the main thing that is required in a similar situation.
The damaged area must be immediately treated with hydrogen peroxide. You can also use another hemostatic agent. It is better to try to avoid such situations, as the pet may get psychological trauma. When doing an animal manicure for the first time, it is better to ask someone from the house to hold it.
If the claws are stratified
The above describes how to cut a cat’s nails. Constantly monitoring their condition is also important. The claws can exfoliate for natural reasons, this is due to the renewal of the horn cover. However, there is another possibility - a lack of useful substances that ensure a normal metabolism.
If the haircut is normal, but the claws are stratified, it’s time to enrich the diet of the animal with calcium. The correct diet will help you choose a veterinarian who is desirable to show the pet.
What else do you need to know
It should be remembered that only pets are needed in manicure. Active and independent animals that regularly visit the street can take care of their claws on their own. In this case, they should not be cut, as this will deprive the cat of a protective tool. For example, it will be more difficult for an animal to climb a tree at the sight of danger, to resist during an attack.
To accustom a pet to manicure should be as soon as he turns a month. When a cat sits comfortably on the owner’s lap, you can periodically click on its legs. Thanks to such actions, the animal will perceive the procedure as a weasel or a game, will not resist clipping.