What to do if my cat won’t let me cut her nails?

Alternatives to Trimming Your Cat’s Nails the Traditional Way – If you’ve tried the desensitization approach and your cat still won’t let you trim her nails, there are several options. You can try wrapping your cat in a towel (the kitty burrito approach), exposing one leg at a time.

You can get someone to help you, so one of you can restrain the cat while the other person trims the nails. Make sure that your helper knows how to properly and safely restrain a cat. And of course, you can also take your cat to your veterinary clinic for her pedicure. An alternative to nail trims are soft nail caps that are glued onto the cat’s claws so they can’t do any damage when the cat scratches.

You can do this yourself, or have it done at your veterinary clinic. I’m not a fan of these nail caps. The cat’s paws will still have to be handled to apply the caps, and nails have to be trimmed prior to application, so if you’re able to do that, then why not just trim the cat’s nails, period.

Additionally, once the caps are on, cats won’t be able to retract their claws, and I can’t imagine that feels very good to them. I tried the desensitization approach described above with Allegra when I adopted her at seven months old – with very little success. She was a play biter and touching her feet only encouraged her to bite.

I was using multiple behavior modification methods to get her to stop biting, and I realized I was pushing my luck trying to get her used to nail trims until I had addressed her other issues. So for now, a friend helps me, and nail trims take 30 seconds for all four paws.

Is there an alternative to clipping cats nails?

Alternatives to declawing your cat – Here at Just Cats Clinic, we are devoted to cherishing our feline friends and providing them with the best life possible, which includes leaving their claws intact, as nature intended. We have never declawed cats at our clinic, and will never start, based on substantial research that points out the lifelong, permanent issues declawed cats have experienced.

Applying nail caps — Nail caps, such as Soft Paws, can be applied to your cat’s nails as a protective shield. While they need to be replaced every couple of months, depending on how quickly your cat’s nails grow, they are an excellent alternative to declawing. Feliscratch applied to appropriate scratching areas — If your cat seems bent on scratching your furniture, apply Feliscratch or catnip spray to approved scratching areas. Feliscratch is an attractant pheromone designed to draw cats to scratch only certain items, but has been discontinued and will only be available for a short time. If you cannot find Feliscratch, you can instead use catnip spray on approved scratching areas. Properly placed scratching posts — Choose scratching posts with different materials and designs to appeal to your cat. Also, location is critical for appropriate scratching. Place a scratching post or pad next to the furniture or item your cat is currently scratching, apply Feliscratch, and reward your pet for scratching the proper item. Trimming your cat’s nails — Although your cat may not appreciate a mani/pedi, trimming their nails can help prevent inappropriate scratching. If your cat is too feisty to handle for an at-home nail trim, contact our team for an appointment.

With so many alternatives available for cats who need to express natural scratching behavior, declawing is totally unnecessary. If you’re struggling to manage your cat’s scratching, contact our Just Cats Clinic team for a consultation. You can also check out AAFP’s Cat Friendly Homes webpage for more information on how to live with a clawed cat.

Can I sedate my cat to trim nails?

Injectable Sedation – For some pets, oral medication doesn’t provide enough sedation or anxiety relief. These kitties may need injectable sedation administered by a veterinarian during a checkup, toenail trim, x-rays, or other procedure. Injectable drugs at a veterinarian’s office are typically stronger than oral medications that are sent home, and thus only administered by veterinary professionals who are trained and prepared to monitor a pet to ensure their heart rate, breathing, and temperature all remain normal during sedation.

What can I give my cat to calm him down to cut his nails?

Tips to Help Calm Your Cat While Trimming Feed them, give them a nice warm spot to relax, and approach them calmly while they’re dozing. Some will be on edge immediately, but many will be relaxed enough to at least give you a bit of time to work. Another option is to try catnip.

Does it hurt cats if you don’t trim their nails?

Why It’s Important to Trim Cat Nails Regularly – Overgrown nails become curved and don’t retract completely. You will know if your cat’s nails have grown too long if your cat gets their nails stuck in carpets or other soft surfaces, or if your cat can no longer retract her nails.

Why is my cat so aggressive when I cut her nails?

WHY DOES MY CAT HATE GETTING ITS NAILS CUT? – Cats’ claws are like humans’ nails in that both have cuticles, quicks, and nails. The quick contains the nerves and blood vessels of the nail. If the quick is clipped, it causes a lot of pain and bleeding. Injury is most likely the reason your cat hates getting their nails trimmed; once they feel that pain, they know what to avoid.

Do scratching posts trim nails?

Nail Trimming – Is it necessary? | The Cat Hospital of Kamloops Yes, it is necessary to clip your cat’s nails, but first a word of caution; never cut to the quick. The “quick” is the dark pink section inside the claw where the nerves and blood vessels are found. This part of a cat’s claw is very sensitive, and if you cut it, you will cause bleeding and pain.

• Once a cat has a bad experience, especially if this is their first experience, they’ll remember the pain and you’ll have a very hard time keeping the chaos under control when you try and clip again.
• Remember: Only clip off the translucent tip of the claw.
• Never cut into the quick.
• Your tool can be specialized cat nail clippers, or your finger nail clippers, as long as they are sharp.

Using a dull instrument may crack the nail rather than clipping it cleanly off. Developing a clipping schedule with a new kitten will help them learn to trust you as they grow up, and they will stay calmer through the process, knowing what to expect. Choosing a quiet room helps, and developing a habit of massaging their paws during cuddle time helps cats adjust to their paws being touched.

• A cat’s nails are naturally retracted into sheaths in their toes, so when everyone’s calm and you’re ready to trim, gently push into the centre of their paw, and this will expose their nails.
• When left unclipped, your cat’s nails can grow to a needle point and curl at the end into their paw pads.
• They will snag their paws on fabric or the carpet when playing, and may twist and damage their ligaments, or worse, break a toe.

Long cat nails can slash skin, ending in an unpleasant experience when you’re trying to play with them. Most often, they don’t mean to scratch you, it’s just that their nails need clipping. Cats will often try to clip their own by wearing them down by biting them down a bit, but it’s better to clip them on a regular basis.

Scratching posts are used to sharpen nails and shed their outer layers which helps their nails health and growth. Scratching surfaces will not “trim” their nails. You’ll save your furniture, prevent “snag” accidents, and enjoy playing with them. Nail clipping time gives you an opportunity to have a close look at their paws for signs of other problems like thorns or cracking.

Too nervous to clip your cat’s claws? That’s okay, we offer nail trimming services at The Cat Hospital. : Nail Trimming – Is it necessary? | The Cat Hospital of Kamloops

Why not to cut cat nails?

How to help your cat keep their claws trim – In most cases, clipping your cat’s claws is unnecessary as they’ll naturally file down their own nails. Active, outdoor cats shouldn’t need their claws trimmed. But indoor or older cats are more likely to have longer claws and may need a helping hand. Here’s a few tricks to encourage natural nail filing:

Make them move around : playing, ‘hunting’ and climbing helps to naturally wear down the tips of their claws Keep them in shape : a chunky cat may be cute – but they’re more reluctant to stay active, which means their nails will be longer Provide multiple scratching posts : cats instinctively love to scratch, and this provides numerous benefits aside from nail filing. It allows them to express how they feel – they’ll often scratch due to excitement or stress. They also do it to mark objects with their scent and to stretch out their body. By investing in some scratching posts, boards and pads, you’ll move the clawing away from your furniture and carpets!

How long can a cat go without trimming nails?

How Often Should My Cat’s Nails be Trimmed? –

• For indoor cats, nail trimming in general should be done every ten days to two weeks.
• A senior indoor or outdoor cat will often develop thick, brittle nails that need to be trimmed more often than when they’re a kitten. Stay alert.
• Declawing cats was made illegal in BC in 2018 by the B.C. College of Veterinarians, It is now understood that declawing means that the ends of the toes are amputated during the surgery, which has been stated as “ethically problematic and not an appropriate means of dealing with feline behaviour issues”. So now if you live in BC you must learn to trim your kitty’s nails properly, or either pay a groomer or visit your cat’s veterinarian to perform this task.
• An outdoor cat may become more of an indoor cat when he or she is old and arthritic, so regular nail trimming will become a necessity.
• Usually it is only the front paws nails that need to be trimmed, but if you notice that the back paw nails are digging into you when your cat jumps up into your lap, you should trim those nails as well.

Do cats know their nails hurt us?

Cats CAN learn to understand that their claws hurt you if you let them know gently. But a cat’s claws are naturally sharp and are a necessary part of a cat. They don’t think about using them, they’re just there.

At what point should I cut my cats nails?

Kitty Claw Control: How and When to Cut Your Cat’s Nails June 7th, 2021 Cutting your cat’s nails may not be on your favorite list of pastimes. The good news is that taking the time to train your furry friend and a little patience on your part will pay off and allow for successful and maybe even enjoyable nail trims! Here’s all you need to know about how and when to exercise kitty claw control! Don’t wait until your furniture looks like scratching posts.

Introduce nail trimming to your kitten’s routine from a very young age. Even if your cat is older, warming up to paw handling is still possible. Start by holding the paws and rubbing them gently while talking to your pet. Squeeze the fingers and toes so the nails extend and release them immediately. Don’t forget to give your cat a treat to encourage the desired behavior.

Choose a calm, quiet location away from distractions and ideally cut your kitty’s nails when sleepy, such as after a meal. It’s important to carefully plan the place and time to ensure you and your furry friend enjoy a positive nail-trimming experience! Now that your furry companion is comfortable with paw handling, it’s time to move on to kitty claw clipping.

• Start by trimming a claw or two and increase the number of nails you cut in one session.
• Don’t forget to offer treats to build positive associations.
• Make sure you choose quality nail clippers.
• Gently squeeze a finger or toe to extend a nail.
• Place the clipper perpendicular to the nail at the point where it begins to curve downward.

Only clip the part of the claw beyond the quick, the darker part of the nail, to avoid hitting any blood vessels or nerves. If you can’t see the quick, don’t go past the thin curved tip. Make sure you offer a reward to encourage cooperation. You’ll know it’s time for a kitty nail trim when the claws are long, curved, and razor-sharp.

The time between trimmings varies depending on a cat’s activity level and scratching habits. For the most part, cats require nail cutting about every 2-3 weeks. Mature cats usually need more frequent nail clippings than kittens. Make sure you provide a scratching post to support your cat’s instinctive urge to claw and to keep those nails trimmed between clipping sessions.

You’ll also shift the attention away from your furniture. If you’ve never trimmed a cat’s nails and feel nervous, talk to your trusted team at All About Cats Veterinary Hospital in Kirkland, WA, for tips or a demonstration. We are happy to guide you through a nail-clipping session to ensure you are comfortable with the process.

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: Kitty Claw Control: How and When to Cut Your Cat’s Nails

How do you know if your cat’s claws are too long?

How to tell if your cat’s claws are too long – If your cat’s claws get too long, it can cause problems for them and even hurt them. There are a few signs your cat’s claws are too long:

• they might catch them on things such as blankets or carpets
• you can see them clearly when your cat is resting
• they struggle to scratch their claws (because they are too long and painful)
• you hear them tap when they walk on hard floors

If you notice any change in your cat’s claws or suspect they might be growing into their paw pads, make an appointment with your vet.