How To Cut A Cat's Nails When They Dont Like It

Regular nail trims are a requirement of cat ownership but are frequently dreaded past cats and humans alike. Too many times, nail trims end with a scratched and bloody possessor and a frightened cat. In fact, veterinarian and applied animal behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM, the author of Depression Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats, estimates that fewer than one in five of her clients experience comfortable doing nail trims on their cats unless they've been trained to exercise so.

But y'all can't skip the nail trim. If a cat's claws are non trimmed on a regular ground, they can curl in on themselves and grow into the human foot pad, causing intense hurting. Untrimmed nails tin as well pose a run a risk to people and furniture, both of which tin can be injured by besides-long claws.

Don't requite upward hope: According to Dr. Yin, information technology is possible to train both kittens and adult cats to tolerate — and fifty-fifty bask — having their nails clipped.

Teach Your Kitten to Relax

"Prepare your kitten for nail trims by teaching her to lie on her back," Dr. Yin recommends. "While your cat lies on her back, reward her continually with hands consumed treats like canned true cat food or small pieces of tuna on the finish of a spoon. Deliver the treats right to the cat's face up so she doesn't have to movement to eat the treat. As your true cat gets more comfortable lying on her dorsum, phase out the treats."

In one case your cat enjoys lying on her back, Dr. Yin recommends that you become her used to having her paws and claws handled. "Gently squeeze her paws, offering treats at the same fourth dimension," Dr. Yin says. "Time the treats right. When the paws are handled, treats should be given continuously at first so the cat is just thinking almost food. When paws are not existence handled, finish any rewards." This approach, Dr. Yin says, builds a clear positive association between paws being handled and good things happening.

Progressively increment how vigorously you handle your cat'due south paws, just just as long as she stays relaxed. Work toward squeezing more than vigorously and then borer the claws with trimmers without trimming. Dr. Yin likewise recommends having two people participate in the training, "one rewarding with treats and the other treatment the paws and trimmer."

Teach Your Adult Cat to Relax

"If your adult cat is already afraid of blast trims, you will need to create a positive association with the nail trimmers," Dr. Yin says. She suggests placing the trimmers next to your cat's food bowl during meals or positioning a saucer or bowl of canned nutrient around the clippers. The true cat will begin to learn that good things happen when the trimmers are brought out.

Teaching an developed cat to lie on her back is not easy. Dr. Yin suggests finding an alternative position where your cat is relaxed. "Advantage your cat for lying down on the floor or for lying down on her side. You will also demand to piece of work on getting the cat comfortable with having her paws and claws handled. Offer treats while y'all lift and hold your cat'due south paw," she says.

"Prune 1 nail and offering a care for at the same time. If your true cat stays relaxed, then trim the second nail while the cat is eating; if your true cat stays relaxed, build up to trimming five nails in one session," Dr. Yin says. She too recommends doing the trimming with two people if possible, as it's much simpler for one to care for while the other trims. If you will be doing the trims without assistance, she recommends waiting until your cat can stay relaxed while having her paws handled and then you can treat her later the clipping is washed.

"The frequency of nail trims depends on the true cat. Bank check nails every couple of weeks to see if information technology's needed. Cats that are outdoors more or utilise their scratching mail regularly may need less frequent trims. Some other consideration is the piece of furniture in the abode. If you lot have frail furniture that is easily scratched when the cat walks over information technology, y'all may need to trim more often."

To find out more virtually lower-stress ways to handle your cat, visit Dr. Yin's website.

Source: http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/trim-your-cats-nails-without-the-stress

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