Mary Allen
Every house tiger has 18 cat claws, which it automatically cleans with its daily coat care. You’ve probably seen your cat spread its paws and then vigorously lick and nibble on them. This step of daily cat hygiene is not only important to keep the spaces between the toes clean – the claws are also subjected to extensive care.
Why Cat Claw Care is So Important
Cat’s claws serve as climbing and jumping aids, but also for grasping, catching, and holding onto prey. But cats also use their claws in turf wars – for attack and defense alike. Because the claws have so many different tasks in a velvet paw’s life, grooming is extremely important. This does not only mean that they are always clean. The horny tissue they are made of is constantly renewed by the body. The result: the cat’s claws “slough” at regular intervals. You may have found such empty claw shells in your home before. Usually, the cat strips them off when sharpening its claws on the scratching post or in the great outdoors.
Should You Clip a Cat’s Claws?
Basically, once you start clipping a cat’s claws, you’ll have to do it again and again. You should therefore only help to shorten the claws in absolutely exceptional cases. For example, if your cat’s claws are so long that they make a clicking noise when walking over laminate or tiles, then you should intervene. It is best to discuss a possible clipping of the claws with your vet beforehand and let it be shown. Because you have to be careful: You must not cut off too much, as cat claws are riddled with blood at the base of the pith – if you start here, it will be very painful for your cat and it will probably not put up with the claw clipping anymore. You should therefore really only shorten the outermost tip – preferably with special claw clippers from specialist retailers.