Trimming claws: If your cat accidentally scratches you or snags your shirt, it is time for a trim. Trimming claws is one of the easiest things you can do to your cat. It can be much faster than cutting your own nails. Use nail trimmers made especially for cats. Stainless steel, high-quality models can last many decades. Before you trim his front claws the first time, work with his front feet without any attempt to trim. Wait until he is in a mood to be touched. Hold him or leave him in his bed while you massage his body, working your way to his feet. Massage his foot. Rub between his toes. Press on the pads of his feet to make the claws extend, and then release. If he starts putting up a fuss, let go of his feet but do not give up too easily. Try again the next time you see him napping or relaxing.
After a few days of getting him used to having his feet touched, put the nail trimmer in the palm of your hand before you approach him. Hold his paw in one hand while saying, "Good boy." Gently squeeze the pad of the paw so that the claws extend. Talk sweetly to him just like you do when you massage his feet. Cut about halfway between the tip of the claw and the "quick" (where pink shows through). Begin by trimming only one claw a day. Gradually add more claws.
Keep the experience positive by always ending before he gets fussy. Each time, reward him by massaging, petting, playing or taking him on an outside walk. Eventually, you will only need to tell him how good he is by petting him for a few seconds after his trim. Once the cat is used to getting trimmed, you will need to trim all claws about once a month. If you keep trimming a small portion of his claws more often, the quick will recede a little, allowing you to trim farther down.
Be very careful when trimming a claw. Cutting into the quick causes bleeding and is painful. If you hurt your cat while trimming, immediately say you are sorry and comfort him. Quickly trim one more nail then let him go. Play with him to distract him from what just happened. Try again the next day.
Do not trim his nails on or around his post or cat tree. You do not want him to make an association between the two activities. If the cat growls, stop trimming, say nothing and leave the room immediately. On the next day, cut two, or even just one nail. Leave on a friendly note before he has a chance to growl.
For hind claws, use the same steps as above. Trim hind claws when your cat is sleeping or sitting quietly on your lap. Trim one or two claws at a one sitting. As he gets used to the process, cut more claws.
Declawing typically is not performed on hind feet, his back claws will need trimming. Declawed cats tend to bite more, and can be more sensitive about being handled than clawed cats. You may need to provide food treats to distract your declawed cat during trimmings or cut a few while he is asleep.
It's vital to remember to groom your cat. The grooming process takes loose hair away from your pet's coat, keeping it from being licked up into the cat's digestive tract. But since hair cannot be readily digested, they often turn into hairballs.
Although felines can at times relieve the situation by coughing up those hairballs, at other times the hairy mass can cause clogging in the intestines. Another benefit to regular grooming is that it also eliminates all sorts of dirt from the cat's coat and gives you a chance to inspect your pet for those annoying ticks and fleas.
You might have thought your cat would hate being groomed, but actually, it may enjoy the experience considerably. Obviously, younger cats will find the experience easier to get used to than older ones will, so it is best to start grooming when your cat is still young.
Brush or comb the kitten's coat gently, neck to tail, in the direction its fur lies. Stop if it starts to get annoyed, and play with it for a minute or two until it calms down. Most cats don't like having their face or paws groomed, so avoid those areas.
Not all cats like to be brushed. If this is the case with yours, you might try the grooming glove. This is a specially designed glove worn on the hand; you then use your hand to stroke your pet. The glove, together with the stroking motion, helps to remove the loose hair, dirt and debris. Your pet may relish the touch of your hand as opposed to the feel of the brush. Grooming the cat's face should be easier too, although your pet may still not like to have its paws groomed.
Be sure to check your cat`s eyes and ears when you are brushing its coat. There should not be any matter in the corner of its eyes and at the same time they should be clear and bright. Its ears must also be pink and clean.
If you happen to notice excess dirt in its ears, this may be a sign that the cat has ear mites. These are a serious condition as the mites can decrease ear size and actually decrease the cat's hearing ability. Therefore, any sign of potential mites warrants a trip to the veterinarian.
If your cat still has its claws, the next thing to do is trim the hooks off the tips with a nail clipper designed for pets. The hooks can catch on items and get stuck, which can hurt the cat and damage your things.
Also, make sure your cat's teeth aren't collecting plaque or tartar. Dental issues can lead to serious physical problems, so brush your cat's teeth using special pet products.
Lastly, a long-haired cat that has a matted coat may have to be shaved. If this happens, your cat will most likely need to be sedated, since cats do not usually handle animal clippers well. Because of this, getting your cat shaved could involve a trip to the veterinarian. Shaving creates stress for cats, so you should keep your cat from having to undergo this procedure by ensuring that its coat is kept free of tangles.
Both Tristan Andrews & Katherine Audrey R. Walker are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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