Natural stitching
The claws tend to wear down on their own. But for this, the dog must often walk on asphalt or other hard surface. In such cases, the procedure for trimming claws can be reduced to a minimum and carried out 1-2 times every month. However, many dogs have a dewclaw, a remnant that is located above the foot. It does not wear off on its own, which means trimming the claw on it is necessary on a regular basis.
The dewclaw is often removed surgically. This is done to facilitate grooming, to comply with the breed standard, or to avoid injury. It is very easy to injure a vestigial finger.
Is it necessary to deprive a cat of its natural protection?
Why trim a cat's claws if this is her way of defense? In fact, when a cat lives in a person's house, it does not need protection. She has everything that any animal needs for a comfortable life: a reliable den, tasty plentiful food, clean water, information and attention. And the most formidable cat weapons are used for other purposes and sometimes cause harm.
A strongly grown cat's nail begins to bend towards the fingers and sometimes even interferes with walking and standing. Therefore, it is imperative to trim your cat’s claws on time, and this will have to be done for the rest of its life. The breeder should introduce kittens to clippers at a very young age, then the owners will not have any difficulties with grooming.
Trimming cats' claws should become a habitual procedure from childhood. If the cat is already an adult, and you have to cut the claws for the first time, then you will need a little more patience to accustom your pet to grooming. Regular nail trimming for cats does not require complex tools or special skills.
Under different conditions of detention, claw trimming in cats is practically the same. You will have to do this less often only if your house has special trees, ropes, houses and beams that cats can climb. With good nutrition and health, nail plates grow faster.
ATTENTION!
Do not use scissors, ordinary wire cutters, nail clippers or other devices. This can damage the structure of the fibers of the horny plate, and it will begin to collapse.
How often should you cut your hair?
Everything must be done carefully, then the dog will not break out
. In fact, the procedure is carried out on an individual basis. Each individual grows differently; in small breeds, such as the Bedlington Terrier, Toy Terrier, Italian lapdog or Shih Tzu, the claws grow much faster than in large dogs, such as the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or Alabai.
On average, paw care should be done every 1-2 weeks. But if the claws grow slowly enough and grind down on their own, then the number of procedures can be reduced to once a month. At the same time, you need to inspect your paws regularly.
Lazy owners prefer to deliberately reduce the time they spend caring for their pet’s claws. After waiting until the dog begins to have difficulty moving, they decide to cut them off. This is completely the wrong approach. Along with the claw, blood vessels (pulp) also grow. During rare procedures, the risk of “bleeding” is much higher.
Nail clipper for dogs
Features of the structure of cat nails and rules for cutting them
After checking the tools, you can slowly begin processing. The first step is to properly “set up” the pet itself.
How to prepare a cat
You will have to “catch” the right moment: it is advisable that the cat be a little tired, sleepy, or at least calm when the haircut begins.
But you can’t interrupt his games and almost forcibly start cutting - the natural reaction will be rejection, and the animal simply won’t give in to your hands a second time.
Important! The most practical are tools with rubber lining on the handles. Your hand may slip off steel surfaces.
Wanting to avoid unnecessary injuries (both to themselves and to the cat), some owners swaddle their pets. This is also a good method that is used before trimming a cat’s claws at home.
This procedure will be unclear to the cat at first, and you should not expect him to immediately raise his claws. You will have to stroke the paws, slowly moving onto the pads, which lightly press down (until the claw appears). This simple method is especially useful for small kittens: they get used to it and there are no special difficulties with them. At the very start you will have to calm and caress the animal . It’s also useful to talk - this kind of “explanatory work” also helps. Be patient, especially if you are dealing with an older cat.
Did you know? Trained cats can replace sniffer dogs. One of these professionals was Rusik, who in 2001–2003. helped find fish from poachers smuggling their catch through a police picket in Stepnovo.
Pruning rules
Before trimming a cat's claws, take a disinfected tool with clean hands.
Then proceed like this:
- The paw is held firmly, but gently. It should not twitch or slip out.
- Lightly press the center of the pad with two fingers so that the claw is fully exposed.
- Now a little anatomy. If you look closely in the light, you can see the free edge of the claw and the pink tissue inside it. This is a pulp with nerve endings and vessels, we do not touch it.
- The edge is removed so that at least 2 mm remains to the pulp. If the cat has dark claws, you have to act by touch, in 2-3 approaches, cutting off 1 mm each time.
- At the same time, scissors or a trimmer are held from above and perpendicular, trying to trim “in one fell swoop.” This is a matter of habit - after a few sessions it will be faster.
- At the end of the procedure, we adjust the edges to make it more comfortable for the cat to walk without clinging to its paws.
Due to inexperience, you can injure your paw. It’s unpleasant, but don’t panic—fill it with peroxide and calm the “patient.” The bleeding goes away quickly.
There seem to be no difficulties, but for the first time you will need the help of loved ones who will hold the cat.
Important! In some breeds, the pads become very overgrown and the hairs cover the claw. A clipper can help here (of course, if the animal is not afraid of it).
Don't forget to trim all the claws, 5 on the front legs and 4 on the back. Beginners often forget about this “asymmetry” and, without looking closely, leave an old claw in front, which over time causes discomfort to the animal.
Reward for good behavior
During the operation, do not forget to praise your pet, even if he becomes restless.
To smooth out the first stress a little, give him a vitamin, or even better, a treat you have prepared in advance (what your pet adores). This will slightly accustom the cat to the idea that a haircut is not so scary.
Find out what to do if you find your pet has problems such as ringworm or ear mites.
Tools and items
To care for your pet's paws, you will need several tools.
Basic set
Claw cutter
The most important of them is nail cutters (tongs). It comes in different sizes and there is an opportunity to choose “your own” tool for any dog. The price range is quite wide: the minimum cost for a nail clipper starts from 100 rubles and can reach almost 500-600 rubles. On average, the instrument is sold for 200-300 rubles.
Another type of claw cutter is the guillotine.
Another model of nail cutter is the guillotine forceps. The guillotine model has only one blade, which appears in the hole when the handle is pressed. More suitable for small and toy breeds with thin nails.
Claw clipper guillotine
The guillotine nail cutter has a significant drawback: it is too noisy and can frighten less stress-resistant dogs. And if the dog gets nervous, then it will be extremely difficult to insert the claw into the special hole. This model sells for 400-600 rubles.
A similar nail cutter, the guillotine, is also used to trim cat claws.
File
Special file for sharpening claws
There are special files for pets. Trimming may leave sharp scars on the nails. To prevent scars from causing torn furniture, and to prevent your pet from experiencing severe discomfort and even pain, the claws are carefully filed after the procedure.
It is not advisable to replace a file with a “human” one - people’s nails are much thinner than those of dogs and such a thin tool simply will not give the expected effect. The average price of a file is 100-500 rubles, depending on the manufacturer.
Trimmer
Battery-powered trimmer (grinder)
Master groomers actively use trimmers (grinders). This is an analogue of a regular file, powered by batteries. The trimmer is a “wheel” with sandpaper that spins and thereby quickly grinds down the claw. The tool does its job much faster than a saw. Some owners completely replace nail trimming with trimming using a trimmer.
Grinder prices vary. Cheap tools can be purchased for 300-500 rubles. More expensive and improved models (equipped with additional attachments, etc.) are sold at a price of 800-3000 rubles.
What will be required additionally
Stocking up with just a nail clipper and file is not enough. You must have cotton pads, an antiseptic or a hemostatic agent with you. Chlorhexidine or talc, a hemostatic powder, will help treat the wound quickly and effectively. There is always a chance of damaging the pulp, and if this happens, you need to stop the bleeding immediately.
Will other scissors work?
It is a mistake to think that simple or manicure scissors will be an excellent replacement for a nail clipper.
- Manicure models are too small even for toy breeds.
- Standard scissors simply won't cut a dog's nail.
Even if you make every effort, you will not get the desired result. And, rather, on the contrary, this can only damage your pet’s finger.
What is a mat cutter for dogs?
How to teach a cat to groom its paws?
If a kitten or adult cat is not yet accustomed to the tool, and you have not yet sufficiently grasped the technical essence of how to trim claws quickly and quietly, start with training. Place the kitten on its side or back on your lap and imitate cutting its claws: with a closed nail clipper, touch each paw in turn.
Next time, grab individual fingers and pull the claw out of the skin fold, lightly pressing on the underside of the finger. Use the tool as before to just imitate the procedure. Gradually, the kitten will begin to trust this incomprehensible contraption. Even if the animal is still scared, continue training for a few minutes a day.
Alternatively, any professional pet salon has a separate cat manicure service, where the groomers are well-versed in how to properly trim a cat's nails. The whole procedure takes a few minutes, is painless and safe for health. But the very trip to the salon and waiting in line often causes protest and stress in the cat, and the owner is bewildered by how much it costs to trim a cat’s claws in comparison with a similar procedure for human nails.
Something else interesting: Furminator cat comb is a popular grooming tool
Trimming
The owner must first assess how much the claws have grown. Everything is very simple if they are white: the vessel is visible in them, to which you need to cut. For black claws it is a little more difficult, because the pulp is not visible at all. Here the pruning takes place gradually - until a dark point appears in the inner part of the claw. This will be the beginning of the vessel.
Preparation
Before starting the procedure, it is important to decide in advance where it will take place. The process is carried out only in a calm environment, so that nothing distracts or frightens the pet. For many dogs, cutting their nails is already quite stressful, sometimes turning into panic.
A file (or grinder), cotton pads and liquid to stop bleeding should be at hand. When the pulp is injured, there can be a lot of blood, so there will be no time to search for first aid tools. If the pet stubbornly resists and even bites, then you can enlist the help of another person who will hold the dog.
The bear stoically endures the claw trimming procedure
Start of the procedure
A small dog or puppy can be placed on your lap. A large pet is placed on its side or stomach. They take the paw in one hand. You need to hold it confidently, not too tightly, otherwise it will become a cause for stress.
The fingers are carefully placed under the paw pads, and the dog’s finger on which the claw will be trimmed is fixed with the thumb. The claw clipper is taken in the other hand.
Next, the tip of the claw is fixed with the blades (from top to bottom) and cut off in one movement. If the dog is not worried, the process continues. If the pet is in a state of panic, tries to pull out its paw or even bites, it is better to let it go and continue the procedure in an hour. In some cases, you have to cut off one claw every day. But it’s better than waiting weeks for the paw to grow back.
Before caring for the hind legs, it is better to place the pet on its side. This is especially true for large breeds. If the dog persistently tries to get up, you can put a little pressure on it with your body, fixing the neck with your hand.
If you lack experience, it is better to cut the claw in small pieces.
Grinding
Once the shearing procedure is completed, it is time to start grinding. Having fixed the paw (the scheme is the same), each claw is sharpened with a file or grinder. The use of the file is the same as for a person - with sharp movements, move along the cut side of the claw. Using a grinder simplifies the task: it works automatically, starting the rotation of the wheel. It is brought to the claw and the process takes place with virtually no human intervention. Expensive trimmers are equipped with special attachments that do not allow you to sharpen the dog’s claw too much.
How to brush your dog’s teeth at home and what products, besides a toothbrush and toothpaste, are needed for this
Work for a specialist
If the pet throws a tantrum every time or the owner experiences severe fear and is afraid of harming the pet, the best solution would be to contact a specialist. Nail trimming is done by animal groomers or veterinarians. In serious cases, restraint with a muzzle or the use of sedatives is required. The cost of the procedure averages 200-300 rubles.
Manicure and pedicure
Connoisseurs of beauty and fashion want their pet to shine like a model on the catwalk. Owners often come to pet salons asking not only to trim their nails, but also to give their pet a high-quality manicure. Now salons offer standard coloring, as well as the creation of various designs and gluing of rhinestones. On average, specialists charge about 500 rubles for cosmetic procedures. Rhinestone decoration costs up to 50 rubles per piece.
Artistically painted dog claws
Coloring
The procedure is carried out with a special decorative or hygienic varnish. Hygienic protects claws from reagents and also gives a healthy shine. Decorative can be of any color, with sparkles. Used as decoration.
Manicure lasts up to 4 weeks. But for some dogs this is severe discomfort and the pet tries to get rid of the obstacle. If this happens, the main thing is not to allow your pet to chew off its claws. It is better to remove the nail polish yourself with a special nail polish remover.
The varnish may contain toxic substances that will not benefit the dog.
Manicure in general is practically useless; it is done only for aesthetic reasons. For animal rights activists, this is a complete mockery of animals.
First aid
If an unpleasant situation occurs, the dog pulls out its paw at the wrong moment, or the owner touches the blood vessels, the main thing is not to panic and act quickly. You should always remember that the pulp is a sensitive area in your pet. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately treat the wound with chlorhexidine or talc to stop bleeding. To do this, a hemostatic agent is applied to a cotton pad, which is then applied to the claw. If antiseptic is not available, soap, cornstarch or flour are substitutes. A treat serves as a distraction from pain.
Do cats and cats need to have their nails trimmed?
In this article I want to talk about one question that sooner or later arises for the owner of cats and cats: “Do I need to trim the claws of my beloved cat?”
Opinions differ on this issue. Some owners say that it is necessary to trim their claws, while others, accordingly, say that it is not necessary.
What to do and who to believe? I will try to help you make the right decision. The fact is that the owner decides to trim his pet’s claws only because the cat spoils the upholstered furniture, wallpaper or wooden trim on the doors.
I agree: externally torn upholstery and wallpaper do not look aesthetically pleasing. And the trim on the doors, dotted with stripes, is also a sad sight. But mostly it’s not the cat’s fault, but the owner’s! Yes, yes, don't be surprised. Just be surprised at your shortsightedness.
When getting a cat, the owner should at least know that cats love to “sharpen” their claws. And they absolutely don’t care how much the wallpaper or upholstery on the sofa costs. “Sharpening” the claws of cats is the same necessity as for humans, because we all cut our nails as needed. Now let's talk about the claws themselves.
Take a close look at exactly how a cat's claws are structured. Well, firstly, the nerve endings fill the claw almost completely. Therefore, when trimming nails, you can seriously injure your animal and introduce an infection into the wound. Secondly, after a haircut, the claw grows back and becomes even sharper. Or, if an infection was introduced during the cutting process, then the nails will grow sick, weak, and split.
Do not forget also the factor that cats, cats, when visiting the toilet, use their paws, and not toilet paper and the toilet (although, I heard, there are such unique cats). Therefore, with injured claws, there is a guarantee that your cat will pick up some kind of any infection - very high.
And thirdly, what makes you think that your pet would like the nail trimming procedure? Well, of course, the owner can say: “Who’s going to ask him? I’ll cut off everything that’s not needed - and that’s it. What opinion could a cat have?” Who told you that you shouldn’t take your cat’s opinion into account? After all, the fact that a cat does not speak a language you understand does not mean at all that he is just a living toy.
You can’t think like that, dear friends! A cat has a heart and feelings and a soul. And a cat, just like a person, can rejoice and laugh and cry. And if he is also part of your family, part of your life, then you simply must take his opinion into account. And so that you don’t have conflict situations with your cat because of torn wallpaper, I’ll give you some advice.
Bring a small log from the street (approximately 50 cm long and about 45 cm in volume), preferably covered with thick bark. Believe me, your cat will appreciate your gift and care, and “cat raids” on furniture and wallpaper will stop forever.
What about nail trimming? My answer is simple: trim cats’ claws . But brushing your claws once a week is very useful. You can use an old toothbrush and soap for this.
Cosmetics
Dog owners often complain about constant clicking noises in the house. Annoying sounds encourage owners to contact specialists to solve this problem. And then special caps for claws come to the rescue. They are made of silicone, safe for the wearer. The caps act as “anti-scratches”, so thanks to them you don’t have to worry about furniture and other vulnerable things.
Special caps for claws
“Anti-scratch pads” are used if there is a visit to the veterinarian or playing with small children. The caps are fixed with a special glue and then fall off on their own. It should be remembered that not all dogs will appreciate this innovation.
Do cats have their nails trimmed?
“Should I trim my cat’s claws?” Opinions differ. Thus, some owners advise cutting their claws, while others are against it. Who should you trust and what should you do?
Veterinarian cuts claws to a small kitten close-up
Many owners decide to trim their pet’s nails only because it damages wallpaper, upholstered furniture, and wooden door frames. Accordingly, wallpaper and furniture take on an unaesthetic appearance after the cat’s actions. And the trim on the doors takes on stripes, which also evokes sadness.
Interestingly, the reason is not the bad manners of the cat, but the owner himself. Because when purchasing a cat, owners must be aware that the animal must sharpen its claws. And pets don’t care at all about how much upholstery on a sofa or wallpaper costs. Just as a person trims their nails as needed, cats sharpen their claws when the need arises.
How to care for paw pads
Paw pads are a vulnerable area. They help the dog feel the surface. The pads are most often subject to wear and tear and there is always a risk of injury. Therefore, the pet owner must carefully monitor them.
For complete care of paw pads, special creams, wax, spray or baby soap are used. Before each walk, one of the indicated products is applied to the paws to avoid cuts, infections, etc. After walking, the paws are washed in warm water. Before using them, it is recommended to consult a specialist to avoid an allergic reaction.
Cream protecting paw pads from reagents in winter
How to trim your nails correctly
Now that you have decided to trim your cat’s claws, you should read in detail about how to do it correctly and whether you need to buy special tools for this. In fact, there is nothing complicated about it. All you need is: someone to help you, hair clippers, a hemostatic agent and cotton pads (just in case). Proper trimming of cats' claws is the key to the success of the entire procedure. The main point that you should pay special attention to is how to trim a cat’s claws so as not to cause her pain and so that the procedure does not become too debilitating for her.
To learn how to trim claws correctly, you need to remember: before starting work, determine exactly where the blood vessel (pulp) ends in the cat's claw. Many cats have transparent claws, so by holding it up to the light, you can easily identify the pink vessels and understand how long the claw can be shortened. This must be done very carefully so as not to touch the vessels. Otherwise, it can lead to bleeding and possibly further inflammation. If your pet’s claws are black, then determining the position of the vessel is not so easy. In this case, shorten them quite a bit. It is better to repeat the haircut in a couple of weeks.
To properly trim nails, sit your cat on your lap. Have an assistant hold it tightly. Be sure to speak kindly to your cat to distract it from the not-so-pleasant procedure. Take the paw pad at the base of the claw with your index finger and press it on top with your thumb so that the claw appears. Cut the nail by placing the tweezers from top to bottom, perpendicular to its surface. The cut will be transverse, this will cause less discomfort to the animal.
At the end of the haircut, do not forget to polish the nails with a regular nail file. If, due to negligence, bleeding occurs during the process of shortening nails, be sure to disinfect it with peroxide or other antiseptic. If bleeding is severe, apply a tight bandage and contact your veterinarian. How often should you trim your nails? On average, the break should be from two to four weeks. If you yourself do not dare to carry out such a procedure, you can always turn to professionals. Prices for cat nail trimming vary depending on the region where you live. But in any veterinary clinic, specialists will help you and carry out this procedure efficiently without injury.
What to do in winter
In large cities, with the appearance of snow, street cleaners begin to treat pedestrian paths with anti-icing agents. The substances melt snow and ice, increasing the safety of residents.
But at the same time, dog lovers have a new headache: the reagents corrode the dog’s paw pads, which causes severe pain to the pet.
There are several ways to protect your pet's vulnerable spot. Before each walk, protective cream or wax is applied to the paws. A worthy alternative is rich baby cream. But the most effective method is boots that completely cover the dog's paws.
