Scratching is perhaps the second favorite activity of cats, after sleeping. Of course, the claws that our cats have are not a simple instrument of play and destruction, but also a defense mechanism and a handy tool that will come in handy in many situations.
Although it is not always necessary to cut a cat's nails, when they do not have the necessary tools to sharpen them, they are elderly or stop doing it for other reasons, it can be interesting to cut them regularly. Next we tell you How often you should cut your cat's nails
Is it necessary to trim the cat's nails?
In nature, the cat is capable of maintaining the state of its claws on its own, wearing them down and sharpening them on various surfaces, such as the trunk of a tree. However, when it stays inside the house, keeping its nails in good condition becomes difficult regardless of whether it has a scratcher, so to avoid discomfort to the feline while walking, to avoid filing them on your furniture, clipping your nails becomes a necessity.
The scratchers are essential because the act of scratching is instinctive in the cat. Not only does it scratch and scratch to preserve its claws, but it is also a way to release stress As if this were not enough, by scratching the felinecommunicates with others of the same species, leaving marks that indicate their presence and define their territory.
This is why it is best to place several scratchers in different parts of the house, because if you don't have them your cat will choose to tear everything it finds, and if you reprimand him for this and prevent him from release your instinct, you will affect your physical and mental he alth. It is best to try to teach him to use the scratching post, but not all cats want or can learn.
Usually cats that walk and play outside the house do not need their nails cut, only those that stay inside the house or apartment require this type of care.
How often do you need to cut your nails?
How often the nails are trimmed will largely depend on your cat's activity, how playful he is and how much opportunity he has to sharpen their nails without risking the integrity of your furniture.
In general, the nails of the front legs require a cut twice a month, that is, every fifteen days, while for the back legs with a single cut at the end of the month it is more that enough.
Using scrapers can delay the time to cut your nails, because as we already told you, one of its benefits is contributing to their wear. One way to tell if it's time to clip the nails is to notice if you can " hear them": If your cat runs and you hear the tapping of her claws against the floor, then they have grown too much and it is time to trim them.
Tips for trimming your cat's nails
Now that you know when to trim your cat's nails, you're probably wondering how you're going to do it. It is an activity that requires a lot of attention and care so as not to cause damage to the feline or cause trauma.
- Get a special nail clipper for cats. Never use one for humans.
- Get silver nitrate, a substance that stops bleeding in case of a cut.
- Get the cat used to cutting its nails from a young age, so it will associate it positively.
- If you've never trimmed an adult cat's nails before, be patient and gentle You can roll the feline up in a towel and place it on your lap, where you will take out the legs one by one to cut the nails. You can also use the help of another person, so one holds the cat and the other cuts. Remember that it can be interesting to use long and thick gloves
- When you have the paw in your hand, press each little finger a little and the claws will come out by themselves. You will find the nail white and a section, located towards the center, dark or reddish. Cut only the white part, otherwise you will be mutilating the nerve, causing a lot of pain and bleeding. In cats with dark fur, the nail is usually brown, and the center of the nerve is a little blacker.
- If you accidentally cut the nerve, quickly add some silver nitrate. You should know that a lot of blood can come out.
- If your cat gets upset and squirms excessively and it is impossible for you to manipulate him, do not force him, you could inadvertently hurt him.
- Keep calm while you cut the nails, use a calm tone of voice to address the cat and convey calm.
- Keep bits of your cat's favorite food nearby to give him a treat when you're done. If you use this positive reinforcement little by little he will be calmer.
- Never yell or threaten the cat if he doesn't want to let you cut his nails
- In cats with very long hair, it is very useful to moisten the hair on the legs before cutting the nails, in order to remove the tangle and work with greater comfort and precision.
- Never opt for exsanguination, since the procedure is considered a mutilation and physically and mentally harms the feline. Find out in depth in our article on What is declawing in cats.
- If you don't feel confident enough to trim your cat's nails yourself, see your vet so they can do it safely.
