Mary Allen
Should you cut the cat’s claws? Basically: No! Here you can find out when it is necessary, how to do it right and how to prevent problems.
A happy and fulfilled cat life also means that our cats are allowed to use their most efficient weapon, their claws. To do this, they must be whetted and sharpened regularly.
But you don’t have to worry about that: Your velvet paw instinctively knows exactly how to do it. She sharpens her claws on trees and walks on hard surfaces, wearing them down naturally.
Only in very few cases is it necessary to support our velvet paws a little and give nature a helping hand: namely when the claws get too long.
When is it necessary to clip cats’ claws?
In some situations, it can happen that the cat’s claws have to be clipped. However, this is only the case if for some reason your cat can no longer rub off its claws itself. According to various advisors, the following reasons can be decisive:
- The cat is too old and no longer moves enough
Maybe she’s in pain or just doesn’t feel like doing her old habits anymore. - The cat is sick
Sometimes the horny substance in the cat’s claws is too soft due to illness or old age. It will chip or bend instead of wearing down. - The cat is injured
Injuries often result in Kitty being unable to move for a period of time. Either she has to wear bandages or she is prevented from her natural behavior by other protective measures. - The cat could not wear off its claws for other reasons
The animal was not allowed to roam free for a long time and also did not have access to its scratching facilities at home – perhaps due to an operation or a longer stay in the veterinary clinic. - The cat’s claws grow too fast
This could be due to an overactive thyroid. The cat can then no longer keep up with the natural abrasion of its claws.
Cutting cat’s claws: how often is it necessary?
With a few exceptions, you only trim the claw when it’s clearly too long. You don’t have to make it a regular activity. Observe your cat’s behavior and only react if you recognize any of the behaviors described below.
When are the claws too long?
The cat’s claws are too long if…
- You realize that the animal is injuring itself in the process of grooming.
- You see that the animal gets caught on the pile or the threads on carpets, rugs, or bath mats.
- You can hear your kitty walking across smooth floors such as parquet, tiles, or laminate. This is usually only the case with dogs. Cats move silently because they can fully retract their cat claws.
Excessively long claws impede movement in cats, which over time can lead to unnatural movement patterns and secondary diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The cats could injure their fur or pads and cause themselves pain. In addition, claws that are too long could break, get caught in tissue, split or even tear.
But don’t worry too much! If you suspect that your pet’s claws are too long, heed the following tips from professional advisors: Observe how the animal moves. Does it sharpen its claws, do you hear a clicking noise when it moves or do you notice small injuries on its paws or pads? Only then should you really cut the claws of cats.
At what age can you clip a cat’s claws?
Any cat, regardless of age, should have its claws clipped when the above disabilities or injuries occur. In reality, young kittens rarely have claws that are too long, as they naturally move and play more.
How to cut the cat’s claws?
All guides recommend a calm, stress-free approach. And that’s exactly right. Wait for a relaxing moment when your cat is ready to stretch out her cat claws. Maybe she’s lying on your lap and purring, or she’s napping on the couch.
Of course, you should already have claw clippers or clippers ready somewhere, preferably where the animal does not (yet) register them. Maybe you put them in your trouser pocket or under the table runner beforehand.
The more confident and quicker you act, the better and less stressful the procedure will be for both of you. In any case, expect defensive behavior and be careful that the cat does not scratch you with its claw when cutting. Normally, however, she only does this if you act too roughly or injure her.
Hold the paw with gentle pressure from above and below and then trim the extended claws. Try to start at least two millimeters in front of the sensitive area and quickly but calmly trim all the claws of one paw one after the other.
How far can you shorten a cat’s claws?
Imagine how it feels when you cut your fingernails: child’s play if you’re careful. But it becomes extremely painful if you hit the area where the horny substance is connected to the nail bed. Here it is supplied with blood and nerves and is alive. This is exactly how the cat’s claw is constructed. You have to be very careful that you only cut off the front area. In many fair-skinned cats, the sensitive area is a different color: closer to the pad, the nail is slightly pink. You have to be even more careful with dark claws!
When it comes to clipping claws, less is definitely more! Better to cut again if you have the feeling that not much has changed for the animal.
If you do injure your kitty, you’ll notice it immediately: she screams, flinches, and tries to run away. The affected area often bleeds as well. According to the advisor, the injury usually heals on its own, but it leaves the pet owner with a very bad conscience. And rightly so, because then you weren’t careful enough! It is therefore essential: As a beginner, be very, very careful when clipping claws. If in doubt, leave this care to your vet.
What is the best way to cut?
The most important thing first: nail scissors and nail clippers for humans are not suitable for cats. The reason is the nail arch, which is round in cat claws and rather flat in humans. It is best to buy your own claw clippers or a claw clipper, which you can easily find in pet shops or on the Internet. This is the safest way to cut.
The cat defends itself while cutting its claws. What to do?
If the cat fights back, leave it alone and try your luck again sometime later with another claw. Maybe she can be bribed with treats or catnip. If you have to, trim just one claw a day.
As always, the reward at the end is important: This is how you reinforce the desired behavior of your loved one. Give him something extra special to eat, lick, or bite. You will see that clipping the claws gets easier each time and your sweetheart may soon voluntarily put out its paws for grooming.
Getting your cat used to clip its claws: Here’s how
The situation should be as relaxed as possible for cats! A stress-free approach the first time is especially important. That’s why it’s generally better if the cutting is done at home and not at the vet. If it’s a pain the first time, it’ll be all the harder the second time.
Be sure to combine caring for the paws with a pleasant experience: stroking, cuddling, or treats quickly and easily associate the situation in the cat’s brain with a pleasant feeling.
How does claw clipping become unnecessary?
Prevention is the best advice on this topic. If your cat is an outdoor cat and healthy, nail trimming will likely never be necessary. Your little tomboy will scratch a lot outside and wear off his claws.
If your sweetheart is at home in your apartment and she uses the scratching and sharpening facilities offered, i.e. the scratching post or scratching board, to scratch and sharpens her claws to her heart’s content, the same applies.
However, if your cat does not move much over hard surfaces and rarely sharpens its claws, clipping its claws can become a regular task. Therefore, you could prevent it like this: Offer your furball the opportunity to run around a lot, preferably on hard floors. Get your pet interested in scratching posts and sharpening toys by playing with them. Maybe it just wants scratchboard that you spray well with catnip every now and then?
Older cats move less. Often you can’t avoid having to cut their claws with them.
Special case Sphynx cat
The only cats where nail trimming is a must are the Sphynx cats. Their saber-shaped, hollow claws become real weapons and pose a high risk of injury for the cats (and their roommates). The reason lies in the lack of keratin in the horn and hair, which was caused by this special breeding.
If you have such a special beauty at home, get tips from the veterinarian on how often you should clip the claws. He may also be able to recommend a scratching post or similar object that is sufficient to shorten the claws while scratching.
Pulling cat’s claws instead of cutting them?
Pretty much all guides are against pulling cat’s claws! And that’s right! Claws are simply a part of cats. Only (and really only) if your veterinarian expressly recommends it for health reasons is it possible to pull a claw or even several claws on a cat’s paw.
A healthy claw is a prerequisite for our cats to be able to lead a species-appropriate life. It is used to catch, play, climb and whet. Under no circumstances should claws be pulled, because the cat could scratch furniture or brake shoes. False animal love definitely stops here!
Conclusion
Trimming the claws of cats is only necessary in very few exceptional cases. Never experiment with claw scissors and claw clippers if you suspect it! Only if you are sure that your cat is hindered by too-long claws, you may carefully shorten them. If necessary, get tips from the veterinarian. However, the better alternative is always to offer the house cat more exercise and scratching opportunities in its immediate vicinity. Then the problem usually takes care of itself in a particularly animal-friendly manner.