Do you have a pet cat and don't know whether to cut its nails?: Recommendations according to experts
Cats have become increasingly popular as pets, as it is believed that they are independent animals, that tend to get sick less often or that they do not need much care. However, like dogs, they need basic maintenance to maintain their health and well-being.
Perhaps one of the most frequent complaints, and also one of the most common reasons for consultation, has to do with the handling of nails, since with them they can not only hurt their guardians, but they can also cause some damage inside the home.
Despite the importance of keeping cats' nails short to avoid these problems, few owners feel confident in doing so for fear of hurting their pet.
To cut or not to cut? To answer this question, it is worth knowing the function of nails in cats.
Thanks to their claws, cats can defend themselves and hunt ; however, if the cat is not used to going outside or is not exposed to certain dangers, the recommendation to cut their nails is completely valid.
Additionally, the general recommendation is that cats should not be allowed to go hunting, as they may suffer from intoxication or poisoning , in addition to reducing the populations of birds, reptiles or some rodents, which are important to maintain animal balance.
Cats also use their claws to climb, grab certain textures, and balance . There is also a marking function, not in the claws, but in the pads of their paws, which help them identify their territory and alert other cats. For cats that don't usually do much physical activity, claws allow them to scratch, climb, and grab toys, which will be absolutely beneficial for them.
However, long nails can cause scratching accidents and can even damage some furniture at home , which will make some owners choose to abandon the cat or decide not to consider them as pets.
In short, whether or not to trim your cat's nails will depend on its habits and the impact on the relationship with its owner.
When and how to do it correctly? According to veterinarian Camilo Escobar, “everything will depend on the cat’s habits, the level of conflict there is with the owner and also the availability of other alternatives, such as scratching posts, at home .” He adds that “there are some animals in which it is recommended to do it every two weeks, although, normally, the cut can be done every month.”
Another factor to consider is the age of the animal, as some older animals do not groom themselves as often , so their nails may be longer and cause wounds on the paw pads or become entangled in furniture, blankets or other items.
To know how to do it at home, it is recommended to first consult with the veterinarian , who will be the expert who will help you do it correctly, without causing injuries to the animal and avoiding as much as possible that the cat can injure the owner. Another recommendation is to start getting the cat used to it from an early age so that it becomes a habit and the animal does not resist.
Other recommendations offered by the veterinarian are:
- Always cut nails in a quiet place with minimal stimuli (visual, olfactory or auditory) to avoid scaring the animal. “A good suggestion is to do it when the animal is resting or sleeping, where it will be easier to manipulate the paws and do the trimming.”
- If the animal is not resting, it can be immobilized with a blanket, always trying to do so in a kind and gentle manner , to prevent it from associating it with a traumatic or painful experience.
- This procedure should be done in a well-lit area , to be able to identify how much the nail should be cut and avoid injuries.
- Using your thumb and index finger, press down on part of the paw pads to allow the nail to come out . This should be done gently and without applying too much pressure, so as not to cause pain.
- Once the nail has come out of the claw, it is cut. The amount will depend on how long it is , although it is best to cut it a few millimeters. Inside the nail there are blood vessels, which can cause bleeding, and nerve endings, which can cause pain.
- You should always trim your nail from the inner side of the nail to the outer side, and always diagonally.
- Once the activity is over, it is recommended to reward the cat with a snack as part of positive reinforcement. This will allow the cat to associate nail trimming with a pleasant moment.
“This procedure will not only allow you to trim your nails, but will also serve to check the pads and make sure there are no foreign elements in the hairs in this area,” says Camilo Escobar.
GABRIEL GARCÍA - FOR TIME
eltiempo
