Cats mostly wear down their nails due to interactions with their environment such as scratching or hunting in the wild. Domestic cats carry these behaviors to a comparatively lesser extent and often have longer nails as a result.
However, it is not advisable to cut your kitten’s nails too short which makes her unable to scratch poles, trees, or scratch-posts. To make sure this should not happen, it is up to you to keep the kitten’s nails in good condition.
Steps to Trim Your Kitten’s Nails
If a kitten’s nail is retracted she will feel extremely uncomfortable and in order to get rid of this feeling she will keep scratching almost everywhere. Therefore it is essential that you cut only the tips of the nails with clippers designed especially to cut feline-nails. Make sure that it is one of the best cat grooming tools from the market.
This way you can avoid causing any harm or injury which is obviously done unintentionally. You can buy best cat nail clippers and filers to cut and file your kitten’s claws. It is also advised to get Styptic powders to apply, in case your feline mate bleeds due to an injury.
Let us go through a step by step guide on how to cut a kitten’s nails easily and without pain.
Step 1: Wait for the Right Time
Make sure you begin a session when your furball is relaxed. Prefer to begin after a meal or after a long playful hour. If the kitty is calm you can do your job quite effortlessly.
Step 2: One Paw at a Time
Ask a friend to hold the kitty still. Wrap her up in a towel while keeping only her head open. Pull out just one of the paws at a time. This will help minimize the movements and avoid any scratching.
Step 3: Press the Paw Gently
Press your kitty’s paw gently to see the nails hidden in the furs. Try to see the tissues inside the nails which will look pink, red or black. If your kitty has a black claw and you cannot see the tissue then take her to the professional.
Step 4: Cut Only the Tips
You should not cut through the pink tissue which is called quick. You must cut only the tips; make sure not to cut too far. You just need to cut the point so it does not hurt you. Kittens have very tiny nails and therefore you should be very careful.
Remember that cutting too far can lead to bleeding. In addition to being painful, this can leave your kitty stressed in trauma. The result would be a genuinely fearful cat who would get aggressive, next time you try to cut her nails. However, you can choose to file the nails instead of cutting them with clippers.
Step 5: Repeat
Repeat the same process with the rest of the claws. Keep out one paw at a time and wrap all others. This way you could easily do the task. Once your kitty will get used to nail cutting sessions, she will cooperate with you.
Step 6: Give a Tasty Treat
Do not forget to give your cat tasty treats as a reward for staying calm. Give her toys to play with and make the sessions playful and enjoyable for her.
Read | How To Trim Cat Nails And Claws
Other Useful Tips
- Touch and massage your kitten’s paws usually, to get her used to it.
- It is essential, both you and your feline be calm and patient during nail cutting sessions.
- Associate the trimming of claws with positivity by petting her and giving her treats.
- Try to relieve her stress and anxiety before beginning.
- It is best to start cutting nails since kittenhood. She will grow with this monthly routine and will get completely used to it.
- Do not force your kitty else it will end up in scratching or biting.
- Never scold or punish your cat. You may train her by talking firmly at times, but also give her appraisal for her good job.
Final Note
Let the nail cutting sessions fun for both of you. Use clippers meant specifically for cats to avoid any needless harm. Be patient and positive. However, if your kitty is getting aggressive then take her to a professional or a vet.
Never opt to retract your feline’s nails. Retracting nails is an unnecessary practice that could affect your kitty negatively. Moreover, declawing can lead to abnormal behavior in cats increasing their stress and anxiety.