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If the legs of your furniture bear your precious cat’s claw marks, you might want to consider trimming your cat’s claws. A normal part of their behavior that is hard-wired into their genes, felines scratch to not only maintain their fine physique but to also hone those claws into sharp little weapons. As a result of this “normal” cat behavior, both you and your furniture may suffer. You can nip this problem in the bud -- or clip this problem by the claw -- by taking their claws into your own hands. Let’s take a look.
A Daunting Task
Trimming your cat’s claws can be a daunting task. It is something you would be hard-pressed to be able to do on your own. So before you even try to start, recruit a helper to hold down your cat while you trim its nails. Do you have the necessary tools to care for your kitty’s claws? First, you need a sharp pair of nail clippers. You can purchase a set that is specially made to hold a cat’s claw in place while you cut. You can purchase these special clippers from your veterinarian or a pet store. Otherwise, a normal pair of human clippers or nail scissors should do just fine.
Gentle And Firm
When you are ready to start trimming your cat’s claws, have your helper hold the cat gently, but firmly. Grasp one of the cat’s paws in your hand and press down on one of the toes to extend the claw. Do you see where the nail goes up to a pink area? That pink area is called the “quick” and will bleed if you accidentally cut into it. It also would be painful for the cat. Cut the nail quickly and cleanly just below the pink area. Now, can you repeat that process for the remaining nineteen or so nails? The answer is probably not. Unless you sedate your cat (not really recommended) or your feline is just really, really laid back, you will have to complete the claw clipping in several stages. In the claw clipping process, do not neglect your kitty’s dewclaws. These are like the equivalent to the thumb of a human and are only found on the front paws. Be sure when you stop to take a break that you praise your family feline and even give it a treat for good behavior.
Ouch!
The first thing you need to do if you accidentally clip into the “quick” of the cat’s claw is to stay calm. If you panic you’ll freak your cat out even more and end up with a fighting cat in the arms of your helper. Reassure your cat by applying a slight pressure to the tip of the sore claw until the bleeding stops. To help avoid an infection in the area, it’s a good idea (if the cat isn’t fighting too much) to apply a quick-drying antiseptic to the claw. Since it is always better to be safe than sorry, when in doubt as to how much of the claw you should clip, trim a little less than you would probably go for.
As-needed
Claw care for your kitty should happen every two to three weeks optimistically or on an as-needed basis. If possible, keep an eye on your cat’s disposition. If your fur ball seems in a laidback mood, try trimming its nails at that time. It is possible to cut them, all on your own, but if your cat takes exception to the fact that you have a pair of clippers in your hand, it can be a difficult task. And if your cat is a bit of a hellion, ask your veterinarian or a professional groomer to clip your cat’s claws. They have the experience, special training and some tips and secrets to getting a cat to cooperate.
Declawing
Sometimes, however, clipping your cat’s claws does not forestall the scratching in your home. If you do not want to give your cat away to a new home, you might want to consider declawing your cat. This involves removing the claws, through a surgical process, as well as the tissue that the claws draw back into. Talk with your veterinarian about this surgery and whether or not it might be the next step you should take with your cat. As with all medical procedures, there are risks involved like slow healing and infection.
Behavior Modification
Since declawing your cat should be considered the last step, behavior modification techniques might be successful. Be patient with your cat as he’s only doing what comes naturally to him. If you can encourage your cat to use a scratching post rather than your furniture to bear its claws and scratch, you will have a peaceful home environment with your feline. |