Whether it's human nails or your pet cat's nails, the shorter they are, the better for everyone and yourself. This is especially true for your pet cat, as they have a tendency to scratch everything and anything in sight. For the safety of everyone and your cat, it's important you keep your cat's nails short and trimmed.
Many cat owners can struggle with the task of cutting their cat's nails. Cats are known to be fussy creatures, and when it comes to their nails they can be even more difficult to handle. So it's no surprise that many cat owners ultimately resort to taking their pet to a veterinarian or a professional groomer to get their cat's nails done. Of course, there's nothing wrong with this either, but what if we tell you that you can get your cat's nails cut right in your home? All you need is the right tactics and a patient attitude! Keep reading and we'll tell you how to get your cat's nails perfectly clipped with no fuss!
Clipping cat's nails at home
- Why is cutting the nails of your pet cat so important?
Saying that cats love to scratch is an understatement. Out of all the domestic pets, cats are perhaps the only ones who require a permanent scratching post in the house. We hope that you have a scratching post in your house, just to keep your furniture safe.
But just having scratch-approved areas in your house won't cut it. You also need to keep your cat's nails trimmed regularly. This is necessary not just for the safety of your household but for your pet cat as well. A cat with long nails is more at risk of breaking their nail scratching something and we know how much a broken nail hurts. Clean and trimmed nails also keep your cat hygienic and away from any nasty microbes getting inside their claws.
- Your home Vs the groomer
Taking your cat to a groomer to get their nails done is an easy solution to the nail cutting problems with your cat. But it is an expensive solution as a cat can grow back its nails in 7-14 days. Which makes you might have to take your cat to a groomer at least twice a month. That will surely leave a hefty dent in your wallet. Unless you decide to do the job yourself and give your kitty a pedicure right at home! With a little bit of dedication and patience, you can save yourself from the expensive visits to a groomer just for getting your cat's nails cut.
- Establish a habit
If you have a kitten instead of a full-grown cat, now is the perfect time to instill good habits in the kitty. One of these habits includes getting their nails cut by you. Getting your kitten used to the sight of the equipment and their paws handled by you is a good way to start. By establishing a nail cutting routine with your kitten in their early days, you as a cat owner will have a much easier time clipping their nails when your kitten grows into a full-grown adult cat.
- Wait for the right time!
Cats can be moody creatures, so it's important you know when is the right mood to get your nail clipper out. You need your pet cat to sit still in one place when you clip their nails, so it's
best to catch them at a time when they are relaxed. We'll list out some good opportunities when you can find your cat in a perfectly relaxed state!
- When your cat is just coming out of its sleep time or is sleepy.
- When your cat is fell-fed and relaxed after its meal.
- When your cat is calmly lounging at its resting place.
Do not try to approach your cat with your nail-clipper when it is hungry or in a restless state. Trying to cut their nails during such times will only aggravate their already grumpy mood. Worse, you might end up clipping a nail wrong and end up hurting your cat. Hence always make sure your cat is in a receptive mood before getting their nails done.
- Have the right equipment!
Your pet cats' nails are obviously different from a human's nails. So a normal nail-clipper won't do it. You'll end up breaking your nail-clipper and also hurting your cat. Instead, you should use nail clippers that are specifically designed for a cat's claws. Make sure that the nail-clipper is sharp enough to cut through your cat's nail one single snap. A dull nail-clipper will make it harder for you to cut through the cat's nails but also might end up cutting the nails wrong and hurt your cat in the process.
Cat's clippers also come in different types. You can choose your preferred clipper based on your requirements.
- Scissor clippers use scissoring motion to cut the nails off and come in different sizes. Small ones are better suited for cutting the tips while large clippers are better for tough and old cat nails.
- Guillotine clippers come with a slot where you have to fit your cat's nail. The blade slides down on the nail when you squeeze the handle, neatly cutting the nail off. These clippers are strong and suited for tough and long nails.
You should also keep a styptic pencil handy in case you cut your pet cats' nails too short and need to seal the bleeding.
- Steps to cut your cat's nails
Now that you have your equipment and your pet cat in a ready state, it's finally time to get down to the nail clipping business! Don't worry if you take long at first. With practice, you'll become habitual enough to get your cat's nails done in just ten minutes!
- First of all, get your relaxed cat in position. Place your cat in your lap, with their back facing your front.
- Carefully take hold of your cat's paw with one hand while your other hand holds your nail-clipper. Press down on the front of the paw gently so that your cat's claws get to their extended state.
- Now take a careful look at the paw you're holding. Find the place from where your cat's nails extend. This place is called quick and it's the root of your cat's nails. It is triangular and pink in color so you should be able to see it clearly. You should be careful to not cut it. Otherwise, your cat can get hurt and even bleed.
- If you are new to clipping your cat's nails then start slowly. Begin from the tip of the claw and eventually reach the quick. As soon as you reach it, you're done with that nail. Leave the quick alone and move on to the next claw that needs to be cut.
- Position your clippers in a manner that when it cuts the nail, it's from top-to-bottom. This will avoid splitting of your cat's nails.
- Be patient with your pet cat while you're clipping their nails. Your cat might make a fuss and try to move away during the first few times. But you need to hold your cat still in a gentle grip and not get angry at your pet cat. If you show frustration to your cat they might get scared and not want their nails done in the future by you.
- It's possible that your cat might make so much fuss the first few times that you won't be able to cut all their nails. If you notice that your cat is getting too aggravated in your hold then immediately release them. It's better you try to cut all their nails in a new try later rather than force your cat to sit still.
- According to psychology, rewards work wonders on desired behaviours. So make sure to give your cat a treat after you cut their nails. This will motivate your cat to be a good kitty whenever it's nail-clipping time.
Don't be disheartened at your first attempts at clipping your cat's nails. It takes time to build up a new habit in not only humans but cats as well. With consistent routine and rewards, your cat will soon come to you by themselves to get their nails done. We hope our tips will help you the next time you try to cut your cat's nails!
