Why a cat does not allow its claws to be trimmed and how to teach it to endure the procedure patiently
Trimming your cat's claws is an important part of grooming. Animals don't like this process, so it's important to accustom them to having their claws trimmed from an early age.
Here are some tips to help you teach your cat to tolerate this procedure patiently.
1. Start small.
Initially, you can start by getting acquainted with the scissors. Let the animal sniff them, get used to the clicking sound they make. Then you can trim one claw. Praise the animal, give it a treat, let it go. Gradually increase the number of claws trimmed in one go.
2. Use the right tools.
To trim the claws, you need to use special scissors. The scissors should be sharp and comfortable.
3. Create a comfortable environment.
Choose a quiet and calm place. Wait for the animal to be relaxed. Do not attempt the procedure if the pet has just played, recently eaten, or is very hungry.
4. Do not punish the cat or cause discomfort.
Never yell at your cat or punish it for behavior you don't like. This will only make the situation worse and make the process of trimming the claws even more frightening for your pet. If you need to trim the claws urgently and your cat is not trained, you can wrap it in a towel and leave only the paw on which you need to trim the claw sticking out.
5. Praise and treats.
Reward your pet after each successful procedure. This will help the animal associate the "execution" with something pleasant. Over time, the fear will disappear, since nothing bad happens, but for calm behavior you can get something tasty. Cats are very smart and learn quickly.
6. Carry out the procedure regularly.
Claws should be trimmed regularly. If your pet grinds its claws itself, for example, in the summer at the dacha, it is still recommended to imitate the process from time to time so that the habit of enduring it calmly remains. This is especially important if at first the animal behaved restlessly and did not allow manipulations with the claws.
7. Don't cut too much.
If you hurt your cat, it will be difficult to teach it to trust you again. Therefore, at first, cut only the very tip. Take the cat's paw between the toes and gently press on a separate pad. The claw will pop out, and its tip can be cut off. If you cut too much, it will hurt the cat, the claw will start to bleed and may become inflamed. Even if you have experience, you should remember that different animals have blood vessels at different distances from the tip of the claw.
