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Cutting claws and caring for the claws of cats

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021

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Does your cat disappear when you see the scissors? Do you have to wrap it in a towel to make her a manicure? According to our experts on behavior, pleasant clipping sessions are not only possible, but it should always be so! Read the following recommendations on how to make the cat relax, while you shear her claws, and turn clipping claws into a pleasant time together.

How to accustom a cat to clipping of claws

Ideally, the cat should be trained to cut off claws from an early age. Choose a place in a quiet room where you can comfortably sit with the cat on your lap. Take it when it is relaxed and even sleepy, for example, when it is relaxed after eating. Make sure that she can not watch birds, street animals or traffic on the street through windows, and that other pets are not around.

Make friends with the cat's paw

Carefully take one of the cat's legs between your fingers and massage it, counting to three, no more. If the cat picks up the paw, do not squeeze or squeeze it, just follow its movement, keeping the soft contact. When it stops moving, gently press the finger pad to release the claws, then release the presser foot and immediately give it a treat. Do this every day on different fingers until you get to know all ten.

Let the cat get used to the scissors

Before you try to shear the cat's claws, she should get used to the sound of scissors. Plant the cat on your lap, put a piece of raw spaghetti in a scissors and keep them near the cat. (If she sniffs the scissors, put a treat on them for her). Then, massaging one of the cat's fingers, gently press the finger pad. When she releases her claws, cut the spaghetti with scissors, while gently holding the cat's foot. Now release your finger and quickly give it a treat.

Never trim the sensitive claw portion

The pink part of the cat's claw is a place where there are nerves and blood vessels. Do NOT cut this sensitive area. Cut only the white part of the claw. It is better to be cautious and to cut less claw than to risk cutting this site. If you still cut this site, bleeding can be stopped with a hemostatic powder or pencil. While clipping the claws, it's good to keep them close at hand.

It's time to cut off the claws

Holding the cat on your knees with your back to you, take one of her fingers, massage and press on the pillow until it releases the claws. Look at how long it takes to cut the claws and notice where the pink patch begins. Now cut off only the sharp tip of the claw, release the cat's finger and quickly give it a treat. If the cat has not noticed, trim another claw, but do not cut more than two claws at a time until the cat feels comfortable. Be sure to reward her with a special treat after the procedure. Notice, the first few sessions, perhaps you will clip the claws only on one paw per session.

Claw Cutting Mode

Trim the cat with claws every ten days or two weeks. If your cat does not allow you to clip her claws, ask your veterinarian or an animal care professional for help.

What NOT to do

If the cat resists, do not raise your voice and do not punish it.
Never try to trim claws if the cat is worried or you are in a bad mood. Do not rush - you can cut off the pink patch.
Do not try to trim all the claws of a cat in one session.
DO NOT REMOVE THE CAT OF COGNITION. This surgery involves amputation of the fingertips of a cat, and she is strongly disapproved by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Instead, cut your claws regularly, buy suitable scrapers for the cat and ask the veterinarian about plastic nozzles on the claws of cats.

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