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Why It Is Important to Cut Your Cat's Claws

If you own a cat, you may have already experienced the agony of your pet destroying your furniture or scratching you up with their sharp claws. No matter how charming your cat is, its claws can be a danger to itself and your household. If you don’t cut them, they could damage your property or even injure you.

Understanding the Cat’s Claws

Some people confuse cat’s claws and nails. Let us get this fact straight: cats do not have nails. They have claws, which are retractable. Cats use these claws to catch their prey and defend themselves. These help them with mobility, tearing meat to pieces, and climbing. 

Because of how useful they are to them, it is only natural that they keep these claws sharp all the time. You might catch them scratching anything, even in places they are not supposed to. They do this because these claws constantly grow, which is why trimming them is highly recommended.

Why Cut Your Cat’s Claws

The cat’s sharp claws can bring harm to your home and other people. They can also be a danger to the cats themselves. Keeping them trimmed does not mean completely pulling them out. The process only makes them less destructive and safer for everyone else so long as you do it right.

Imagine waking up to a body full of scratches or a curtain entirely ruined by their claws. These are not pleasant scenarios, more importantly, if you have children or babies at home. 

Trimming their claws also benefits them in many ways. With blunt claws, they would no longer get caught in your carpet or wood, making sure your cat does not inflict any harm to itself. 

How to Make the Trimming Experience More Manageable

Regularly trimming the cat’s claws is vital to their health. Unfortunately, it is one of the most stressful experiences every cat owner encounters. However, this does not always have to be the case. 

Here are some tips on how to make the experience more comfortable for both you and your cat:

Familiarize With the Clipper

Owners use different clippers depending on what works best for them. It does not matter what tool you use. What is important is that your cat becomes acquainted with it. Consider leaving it somewhere, allowing them to sniff and investigate it. You can even give them a treat if they decide to get close to it. 

Do It In a Calm and Quiet Place

Setting the mood is the most crucial part. To make the experience pleasant, your cat should feel good about it. Find a place that is calm and relaxing. Keep away from distractions, such as windows, so your cat could stay still. Consider scheduling the session at the time they are most sleepy.

Know What They Want

Cats are pretty straightforward. They do not want anyone touching their paws—at least, the majority of them. You should adjust your tactics accordingly. Here is a suggestion: when you grab their paw, act as if you are massaging it for two to three seconds. Then quickly but gently squeeze it to release the hiding claw. Trim quickly, and then give your cat a treat. If you succeed, repeat the process until you finish trimming all nails. 

KONG Naturals Cat Scratcher

Conclusion

If you own a cat who loves sharpening its claws everywhere in the house, keeping its claws short would lessen potential damage. Consider clipping them every few weeks. It is a more cat-friendly option than completely declawing them. However, make sure you know what you are doing before attempting it on your own.

Should you need professional help for your cat’s claw trimming, we provide cat grooming in Marysville. Earthwise Pet Nutrition Center & Wellness Spa make sure your pets are as comfortable as possible. All Earthwise Pet grooming services are performed efficiently by qualified pet-oriented professionals. We also offer mobile grooming services if you cannot visit us.