Trimming Your Kitten’s Claws
Before you attempt to trim your kitten’s sharp claws, make sure you have a cat nail trimmer. Never use fingernail clippers or any other tool not made specifically for this task. A light squeeze of your cat’s paw should make the claws extend. Trim them much like you would your own nails, however be careful of the darker area inside the claw. This is known as the “quick” and should not be cut into.
Cat nail trimming should be done to remove the sharp tip only. Never cut the cat’s entire claw off or trim close to the quick. This can cause pain and bleeding for your pet. Should you accidentally cut the quick, it will stop bleeding although your cat may need some reassurance in the meantime.
Always trim your kitten’s claws from top to bottom to help prevent the claw from splitting. Once or twice each month is usually a sufficient claw trimming schedule. Start early and be very careful to make the process easy on your cat, that way he will grow accustomed to it and will not fuss or hiss. In some cases, a cat may not be accepting of home trimming and you may need to visit a groomer or veterinarian to have the claws trimmed professionally.
A new cat can be an exciting addition to your family. Before you adopt your feline companion, make sure you have all the necessary supplies and knowledge you will need for those first few months of life and beyond. Cats can make wonderful, independent pets if you have an understanding of their behavior and needs.
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