Unlike dogs, cats have retractable claws, which the animal can extend or retract at will according to its needs. Most of the time, they are retracted, but the cat can use them and pull them out if necessary. Small felines maintain their claws relatively well when they live outdoors, sharpening them on many supports so as not to be bothered by their length. On the other hand, when they are more homebound, it is necessary to offer them alternatives such as a scratching post so as not to encourage them to scratch the furniture and to shorten them from time to time to help them.
What is the use of cat’s claws? How to maintain them? How to cut them effectively? Find out in this file.
What are cat’s claws used for?
The cat’s claws are very useful to the cat. They consist of several superimposed horny layers and a pulp which contains nerves and blood vessels. The cat can retract and extend its claws at will, which is why they are said to be retractable. Usually, the cat internalizes its claws and only its pads are in contact with the ground when it moves. He only takes them out when needed.
The claws have several uses for the cat. They are used to:
- climb trees and any support;
- skip ;
- hunt prey;
- defend and fight;
- mark their territory .
Very important for the cat, the claws are generally maintained by the animal who takes care to clean and sharpen them on different types of supports. In most cases, cats that have access to the outdoors maintain their claws by scratching trees or other hard surfaces. However, some kitties may be tempted to do the same inside the house, on the furniture, the curtains or even the wallpaper… In this case, the animal must be provided with a substitute, such as a scratching post, a tree to cat or a carpet reserved for this purpose.
Should the cat’s claws be cut?
Is it useful to cut the cat’s claws ? If your cat does not wear them enough outdoors or if he only lives indoors, it will be necessary to cut them – or more precisely to shorten them – to relieve him and to preserve your interior. Our feline friends tend to quickly find a source of internal scratching when they cannot sharpen their claws to their liking. This is a good way to allow them not to be bothered by claws that are too long. Unfortunately, this need to relieve themselves often pushes them to scratch all possible supports, to the point of damaging your furniture.
Outdoor cats tend to sharpen their claws naturally when outside. Cutting them is not of major interest, as they may be useful for hunting, running or climbing trees. Unless the animal seems embarrassed, do not shorten them. It’s best to only help a homebody or indoors-only tom, as he may look for other ways to do so or even hurt you when you pet him or play with him.
It is better to accustom your little companion to this simple gesture from an early age, because it will reassure him and make the operation quicker and easier.
How to cut cat’s claws?
If we talk about cutting the cat’s claws, it is more a question of blunting them or shortening them very slightly. Indeed, the claws are important for the animal which retains the need for them, even if it lives indoors. To avoid injuring it and risking an infection, it is essential to perform the right gesture with a suitable tool.
Here are some tips for successfully trimming your little feline’s claws.
When to cut your cat’s claws?
If it is preferable to start early to cut the claws of his little companion in order to accustom him from an early age to this gesture necessary for his well-being, it is not necessary to act at any time. Indeed, you should preferably choose a time when your animal is calm, serene and quiet. The ideal is to get started when he settles down somewhere to groom himself or when he comes to cuddle you.
For what ? Because if you ask him when he’s restless, when he’s playing or when he’s just hunted or fought, he may associate the clipping of his claws with a disturbing event. Accepting this gesture will be more difficult for him later. Similarly, if he sleeps, you risk disturbing him and repelling him, even making him aggressive.
The best thing is to wait for a moment when he is peaceful. Act gently, reassure him without excess and show yourself confident and sure of yourself so as not to panic him. If things go well, he will associate the event with a pleasant moment and he will thus tend to be more docile afterwards.
With what to cut the claws of his cat?
Avoid starting out with an unsuitable tool, as you risk making it harder for yourself, making you feel more stressed and injuring your little animal, who may then lose their confidence in you. Avoid scissors and nail clippers for humans.
There are cat nail clippers available commercially, in pharmacies or at the veterinarian’s at a low price. These small scissors are specially designed to shorten the claws of our little companions without the risk of breaking them. This investment is essential for the well-being of your cat, but also for that of your finances! Indeed, you will thus avoid more substantial costs to replace your lacerated furniture if you do not intervene and high veterinary expenses if you use a bad tool likely to injure it.
How to cut your cat’s claws?
To properly trim your cat’s claws, start by adopting the correct position. It is best to place yourself behind him and install him on your lap, on a table or on the ground, according to his preferences, but also according to your comfort. You can act in pairs for a better maintenance of the animal if you do not feel able to achieve it alone.
Don’t hesitate to take the time to soothe your little kitty by caressing him or talking to him gently. If you have to avoid taking him by surprise, it is better to show yourself confident in your gestures and rather skilful, because your cat will sense your tension, your stress and your hesitations, which will worry him. He will then certainly be less cooperative. Be gentle and firm at the same time, reassuring while showing him that you know what to do.
Once installed, it’s up to you to do the right thing. You will quickly see that it is relatively simple. Just know it. Here are the steps to follow.
- Gently grasp one of your cat’s paws , hold it and press gently on its pads to get the claws out.
- If your cat seems worried, let him smell the nail clipper to show him that he is in no danger.
- Take the claw cutter and cut the end of the cat’s claw. The part to be cut is minimal, it is the end of the tip. Be sure to cut only on the translucent part and not at the level of the central, white or reddish vein so as not to injure it.
If your little friend is struggling or if you think you can’t cut his claws without risking injury, get help or simply entrust this procedure to your veterinarian. You can wait until you have to consult him for another reason to request a nail clipping. He will be able to perform it each time or show you the gesture to perform. While waiting for the appointment, be sure to offer your kitty scratching posts and other supports to allow him to sharpen his claws, this will distract him from your pretty sofa.
If you mistakenly cut too short to the point of hitting the central vein or nerve, action is needed. Indeed, the pain can be very important for the animal and it can also bleed in a significant way. Disinfect the claw well and monitor it for several days to avoid superinfection. If the wound heals well, so much the better. Otherwise, consult your veterinarian quickly, because any injury is an entry point for bacteria. And they are numerous at the level of the legs!
Now that you know the right gesture, regularly watch your little companion’s claws in order to shorten them as soon as necessary. If your pet pulls on its claws, don’t worry! He only removes the dead parts to relieve himself and relax.
What about the permanent removal of claws?
Onyxectomy or permanent removal of the claws is a prohibited practice in France and in many countries. This operation consists of completely removing the cat’s claws. It is an amputation of each of the claws, but also of the third phalanx of his fingers with which the claw is integral. An operation is painful, but also cruel for the cat who would thus find himself vulnerable and helpless without his very useful nails.
It is better to take a little of your time to regularly shorten your little kitty’s claws and protect your furniture by providing him with solutions to sharpen them.