If your cat has ever accidentally scratched you when jumping into your lap, you know the benefits of keeping your cat's nails trimmed. Trimming your cat's nails also benefits your cat. Cats that go without proper nail trimming risk nail overgrowth. Nail overgrowth can make your cat's nails grow back into their paws, causing immense pain and injury. Trimming your cat's nails isn't difficult and can keep your cat healthy.
Selecting The Right Tool
There are a couple types of cat nail trimmers available including scissor and guillotine types. Scissor style clippers work like a pair of scissors, though the blades are hook shaped to cut the nail. The guillotine style of nail clipper has a round shaped hole in which you put your pet's nail. You pull the trigger mechanism and the blade comes up to cut the nail. Some cat owners even prefer to use human nail clippers.
No matter which type of clipper you select it's important to make sure they're sharp. Dull and blunt nail clippers can cause your cat pain because the clippers use pressure to break the nail off rather than cutting it. This can lead to breaks in your cat's nails and possibly infection.
Cutting Your Cat's Nails
When cutting your cat's nails, the first order of business is knowing how to identify a cat's quick. A cat's quick is the pink part of its nail. The quick houses nerves and blood vessels so it's very important to not cut it. It's very much like the pink part of a person's nail bed, cutting it would really hurt.
The next order of business is restraint. Some cats just don't like to have their nails trimmed. If you have a partner, have them hold the cat while you trim the cat's nails. If you have to cut the cat's nails solo, you may have to carefully wrap the cat in a towel first.
Asking Your Vet For Help
If you have difficulty trimming your cat's nails, you can bring them to your vet to have them clipped. Usually, the vet can have your cat's nails trimmed as part of a routine office visit, or they can use anesthesia if necessary.
You should also ask your vet for assistance if you accidentally trim your cat's nail too closely. If you accidentally clip the quick, heavy bleeding can occur. If this happens, you can stop it with a styptic pencil, cornstarch, or cayenne pepper.
Cutting your cat's nails may seem intimidating at first, but it's not so difficult once you get the hang of it. Your furniture and carpet will thank you. For more information, contact local professionals like 1st Pet Veterinary Centers.
Share4 January 2017
Do you own a small animal like a mouse, hamster or even a lizard? Did you know that even these tiny creatures can benefit from veterinary care? My name is Emma, and I own a number of small pets. I have found out through my experiences that veterinary care can give my little pets a longer, healthier life. This blog will cover what a small animal needs from regular medical care as well as special situations that require emergency veterinary intervention. Tiny pets deserve a healthy life, too. Learn how to do all your can for the littlest animals in your care.
