How Often To Cut My Cat's Nails

Somewhere between taking a much-needed bath and having to have their teeth brushed lies another activity many cats may not be too fond of — getting their nails trimmed. Even though this slow chore, which ordinarily involves me chasing my youngest cat around the house while trying to coax him with treats and toys, is necessary, many pet owners, such as myself, still may be confused with the specifics of it. For case, how and how often should we trim our true cat's nails? And why is it and so of import to remember to practise and then? To help us learn more, POPSUGAR connected with 2 veterinarians.

How Often Should I Trim My True cat'south Nails?

Overall, at that place is no set time frame when cat's nails need to be trimmed as each cat is different. "There is no specific guideline every bit to when to trim a true cat's nails, as each cat has a different rate of nail growth," brash Shadi J. Ireifej, DVM, DACVS, owner and chief medical officer of VetTriage. "But somewhen y'all will be able to gauge how often it needs to be done."

Dr. Ireifej recommended that pet owners trim their cat's nails when they are able to see the nail during retraction, and especially when their pet begins to scratch on household items effectually the dwelling house. Dr. Ireifej explained that your cat may not be intentionally behaving badly only may actually exist trying to trim their nails.

How Should I Trim My Cat'due south Nails?

When trimming your cat'south nails, it is important that you have the correct tools. This will assistance make your job easier and your cat'due south experience getting their nails trimmed more pleasant. Dr. Ireifej said nail clippers fabricated specifically for cats are a proficient option. "Alternatively, files made for felines can also exist purchased and utilized," he said. "Styptic pointers or powder should also exist on mitt in instance the nail is cut too short and bleeding occurs." If you do not have either readily available, Dr. Ireifej said household flour can be used to help assist in coagulation and hemostasis.

It is likewise important to remember to create a calming environment for your true cat while you practice this, equally some cats may not enjoy the process. "Exercise not punish your cat or enhance your phonation if your cat is condign upset," said Michelle Burch, DVM at Condom Hounds Pet Insurance. "If you cannot trim all of the nails at i time, then stop and allow your true cat to calm downwardly." Giving your cat treats in between trimming each nail may also assist quell their fretfulness and might even assistance them associate nail trimmings with positive feelings.

Why Is It Important to Trim a Cat's Nails?

No matter what kind of boom-trimming routine you develop with your true cat, it is just important that information technology gets done as it is an easy way to keep your cat both happy and salubrious. For instance, Dr. Ireifej shared that whereas feral and outdoor cats are able to shorten their nails through climbing and hunting outdoors, indoor domesticated cats are not able to do the same, which tin can cause both injury and damage. "Nails that are as well long are thought to not only be uncomfortable for the cat but also make them more decumbent to inappropriate behavior similar scratching on doors, furniture, and other household items or surfaces," he said.

Not to mention it could also be the goad for some pretty painful accidents. "Maintaining the length of your true cat'due south nails will help preclude overgrowth, which can cause damage to the hand pads or become stuck in fabric, resulting in injury," Dr. Burch said.