Cats have eighteen nails, ten on their front paws and eight on their hind paws, and it is advisable to cut them approximately every two or three weeks depending on the activity and routines they carry out. It is a process that can be complicated at the beginning and your cat will probably be nervous about it. But don’t worry, follow the steps we propose below and turn the care of your pet’s nails into a comfortable and pleasant moment for both of you. Keep in mind that nail trimming should not exceed 10 minutes, this way you will prevent your cat from getting impatient and nervous.
Steps to follow to know how to trim a cat’s nails quickly and effectively
Choose the moment and reassure your cat
You must accustom your pet to let him handle his paws, to do so, stroke them gently while caressing the parts of his body that he likes the most. It is better if you start getting your feline used to it when he is a puppy. Choose a time when he is calm and relaxed, and if he gets scared or is uncomfortable and wants to leave, don’t stop him, find another time later to continue this practice. Place him on your lap and make him comfortable, then take his paws between your hands and stroke them gently each day, even if you are not going to clip his nails. Each time you stroke his paws, reward his good behavior with his favorite treats or snacks. Before you know how to trim a cat’s nails, you must know how to soothe your cat and get him to let you handle him.
Start cutting little by little
And choose the right tools for the care and hygiene of your cat’s nails. At Tiendanimal we have different manicure accessories that will make this task easier, depending on the needs you and your pet have. Choose the most comfortable nail clippers for your furry friend! As soon as you have all the accessories at hand, it’s time to get started. Hold your cat on your lap, with its back and rear facing you. Hold the nail clippers in one hand and one of his paws in the other. Grasp one of her toes and gently massage it to keep her calm, at which point press down on her pad so that the nail comes out. Start by cutting the tip of the nail and go little by little, but never reach the inner pink vein that runs through each of his nails, as it would hurt him and start bleeding. Cutting a cat’s nails is not always an easy task, so be patient.
Correct use of nail clippers
Cut the nails one by one and make sure the blade cuts from the top to the bottom to avoid splitting. Be careful not to cut too much! If you are not sure where the vein starts, it is better to cut less nail. In this process you should always remain calm and go slowly, even if your cat meows. At first, you may cut only a couple of nails. Don’t worry, wait until you have another chance and master the technique.
Reward your cat
Choose a special treat for your pet and give it to him after nail trimming. If you only use that treat for this hygienic moment, your pet will associate it with nail trimming and will know that after this delicate process he will get a delicious reward and will resist less in the future.
Check the condition of your nails
Every feline’s nails grow at a different rate, it is recommended to cut them every two or three weeks to prevent them from getting too long and splitting or breaking. Check your cat’s nails regularly and give them the care they deserve.
What are the benefits of trimming a cat’s nails?
Cats’ nails need to be cared for so that they can explore the world and interact with others of their species. Their scratches leave visual and olfactory marks that are used to communicate with others. In addition, scratching helps them release stress and, when living in a natural environment, they need to have sharp claws to hunt prey.
Cats need to sharpen their nails themselves, scratching is an innate behavior in felines. To prevent them from doing it on your furniture, curtains, armchairs and other objects in the house, it is essential that they have a scratching post or scratching board, a toy that they love and with which they satisfy their instinct, as well as to stretch their muscles, fix their claws and communicate with other cats.
Knowing how to cut your cat’s nails and how to take care of them is very important for his physical and mental health and to avoid possible scratches while you play. In addition, you can cut them yourself, following the steps in the previous section, and, in this way, prevent them from breaking or splitting. But if you are not able to do it properly, you can always go to your veterinarian, he can help you in this process with his tips and tricks. It is also practical to trim his sharp nails if he is prone to scratching, fluffing, etc.
