Should I take my cat to the vet for nail trimming?

If you don’t feel comfortable trimming your cat’s nails your vet or groomer will be happy to do this regularly. For many cats it is not necessary to trim their nails, but there are many reasons to do so, such as to save furniture from scratches or to reduce trauma to your legs when your cat ‘kneads’ you.

Does it hurt cats to trim their claws?

Just trimming the nails won’t hurt them but you should use a sharp trimmer to minimize splitting of the nail, and because a sharper trimmer means you can trim while applying less pressure. When cats squirm during trim sessions it’s generally because they don’t enjoy being restrained or having someone grab their paws.

Which way do you cut a cat’s nails?

The screws on the trimmer should be facing the cat. The nail should be cut from top to bottom, not side to side. The tip of the nail is placed in the hole in the trimmer and the handles are squeezed to advance the cutting blade through the nail.

How often should I trim my Cats nails?

Check your cat’s nails regularly. Each cat’s nails grow at a different rate, but it’s a good rule of thumb to trim your cat’s nails somewhere between every two weeks and every month so that its nails don’t get too long, split, or break.

Why does my cat shed his claws?

In addition to honing their nails, scratching also helps cats to shed old claw sheaths. Felines who never scratch can require medical attention for nails that have grown so long that they curl under and pierce the paw pads. This is why owners need to provide adequate clawing surfaces, such as a sturdy scratching post.

Do Cat nail caps really work?

Nail caps for cats: pros and contras. In reality: If a person has some experience in observing cats, it becomes clear that claws play an extremely important role in their lives. With the help of claws cats can hold on slippery surfaces, claws also work as a brake when the cat plays active games with lots of legwork.

Can cats claws be clipped?

Cats allowed outside need longer claws to help them climb, defend themselves and get themselves out of trouble. Their claws wear down naturally from their more active lifestyles, so clipping an outdoor cat’s nails isn’t generally necessary (but keep an eye on them anyway, just in case).