6 Easy Steps to Trimming Your Cats Nails
The thought of trimming a cat’s nails can be downright scary. If it’s your first time and you have a wiggly feline, chances are there will be some pain or blood loss on both sides. Unfortunately, this isn’t a task you can brush aside. From saving your furniture to reducing trauma to your feet when your furry friend ‘kneads’ you, the benefits of proper nail trimming cannot be underestimated.
Fortunately, it’s possible to get through the grooming sessions without too much hassle. To do this, you need to know the right steps to follow. We’ve provided a comprehensive guide to take you the entire process. Grab some cat nail clippers, and let’s jump right in.
The Right Way to Trim Your Cat’s Nails
When they’re relaxed and lying down in their favorite spot, cats seem harmless and cute. But all this goes out the window when you initiate any restraint or uncomfortable sense of touch. Your cute furry friend won’t shy away from expressing how they feel about the experience.
If your cat is new to nail trimming, you can expect a similar reaction. The cat may scratch, escape, or lose their cool, making the entire experience uncomfortable for both of you. But this doesn’t have to be the case. With the following tips, every trimming session should be a breeze – eventually, at least.
Arm Yourself with the Right Supplies
The first step in this grooming process is to get everything you need ready. The last thing you need is for your cat to be in the perfect position for trimming only for you to remember you didn’t even get the clippers. Don’t make this rookie mistake. Get all your supplies ready beforehand.
You’ll need:
- Professional nail clippers for cats
- Your cat’s favorite snuggly blanket
- Cat treats
- And your cat, of course
Set the Mood
Once you have everything in position, the next thing you need to do is to set the right mood. You need your cat to remain calm throughout the entire process. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any elements of distraction.
Go into a silent room where there’s no presence of other pets and ensure the cat isn’t distracted by things like birds and other pets running outside. It’s also a good idea to do the trimming sessions after a heavy meal. During this time, your cat is groggy and more likely to relax. Put your fur baby on your lap to get them comfortable and prepare to begin.
Familiarize Yourself with the Paw
If you’ve not trimmed your cat’s nails before, it’s crucial to get acquainted with them before bringing out the clippers. Begin by gently massaging the feline’s paws between your fingers for no more than the count of three.
If your cat pulls away when you do this, don’t force it. Let the paw go and try again when the cat is more related. Repeat the process, this time pressing on the pads with a little pressure to expose the nails. Again, if your cat is uncomfortable, don’t push it. Give them a treat and try again. Repeat these steps until you’re familiar with all their toes.
Source: Pets.WebMD
Acquaint Yourself with the Clippers
It’s also crucial for your cat to get used to the sound of the clippers before you use it on him. You can get your cat used to the sound of the clipper using a piece of uncooked spaghetti. Take a small piece of the spaghetti and cut it using the clipper while it’s close to your cat’s ears. If the feline sniffles on the clipper, give them a treat.
Repeat the process, this time pressing the cat’s pad to expose the nails. Cut the spaghetti once again, release the paw and give your feline a treat.
Know Where to Cut
Once you’re confident you’re ready to clip the cat’s nails, the next thing you need to do is to know where exactly to cut. Steer clear of the quick – the area where the cat’s blood vessels and nerves are located. You should only clip the white part of the claws.
If you accidentally cut the quick, immediately try to stop the bleeding with styptic powder. Keep it close whenever you’re trimming to prevent too much injury.
Don’t Be a Hero
Trimming a cat’s nails isn’t fun, especially if the feline is stubborn. For this reason, it only makes sense to want to trim all their claws in one session. If your cat is calm and the process is going on smoothly, do it without hesitation.
However, if you’re having trouble keeping your furry friend calm, it may be a good idea to try and trim all their nails in multiple sessions. It will be better for both of you.
Source: Gallant
Additional Tips to Make Trimming Your Feline’s Nails Easier
All nail trimming sessions won’t be a walk in the park. Some days, you’ll need a few more tricks up your sleeves to keep your cat’s nails properly groomed and safe for everyone around. In such situations, the following tips should come in handy.
Start Early
If you have a kitten, you probably won’t need to trim their nails at this early stage. Cat’s nails start becoming problematic when they’re a bit older. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean you should wait until the cat is bigger to get them accustomed to nail trimming.
On occasion, when your cat is relaxed, massage their paws and press on their pads to expose their nails even if you don’t plan to cut. This way, they’ll become used to the feeling before they’re ready for a trim, which will make all your future trimming sessions hassle-free.
Also, if you’re planning to take advantage of Gold Coast cat boarding services in their kitten stage, it may be a good idea to speak to your cat caretaker about this as well.
Play Before the Trim
If you want to trim your cat’s nails and they are very energetic at the time, it may help to play their favorite game before you pull out the supplies. Playing with your cat will reduce their energy levels, making it less likely for them to fight you when you need to trim their nails.
Always Give a Treat
Positive reinforcement is always a good idea when you’re dealing with a pet. Chances are your cat will feel uncomfortable every time you try to clip their nails. And because the feline doesn’t understand what’s going on, you need to reward them when they play along and allow you to do it. Just don’t give too many treats. The cat needs to understand the action that earned them the reward.
Get Professional Help
If you’ve tried to trim your cat’s nails without any luck, it may be time to let an expert do it. Gold Coast catteries are excellent places to get this kind of service if you prefer to leave your feline with a cat carer when you’re away.
Because these are professionals with experience in cat grooming, it shouldn’t be a problem. Alternatively, you can wait for your vet visits and have the vet trim your cat’s nails then.
Source: iheartcats
Final Thoughts
Trimming a cat’s nails is not a walk in the park. If you don’t know the right steps to take, you risk getting out of it with a lot of scratches and no trimmed nails. Don’t let it get to this frustrating point. Follow the steps above to ensure you have a hassle-free trimming session. And remember, don’t be a hero. It may take time to get your cat comfortable with the process to allow you to clip all their nails at once.
