Cats are often described as indolent and passive creatures, taking on a whole new personality with clippers when you come near them. Usually, when a cat scratches or bites you, it’s playful and curious.
Grab a clipper, however, and you will notice a marked change in their behavior. Hence, it is not surprising that “how to restrain a cat to clip nails” has become the most frequently searched phrase on Google for new cat owners.
Is Clipping a Cat’s Nails Necessary?
Perhaps after the first time, you tend to clip your cat’s nails without any preparation, you decide to give up because it may hurt you. Luckily, you are not the only one. The struggle of not knowing how to restrain a cat to clip its nails is not new, and many think of giving up or finding a professional.
Some may even wonder if clipping your cat’s nail is necessary. The answer is a little more complicated than a yes or no. Clipping your cat’s nails depends on their lifestyle. If you have an outdoor cat, their claws are essential to help them hunt, climb, and defend themselves. However, if you are like most cat owners and have an indoor cat, clipping their nails may be helpful.
Cat claws are retractable, making it necessary for your cat to sharpen their nails using scratching posts or your furniture. Since they’re retractable and don’t touch the ground that often, it is rare that your cat will injure themselves accidentally. However, if you want to avoid damage to your carpets and furniture, it is a good option to clip and shorten their nails.
For older cats, it is necessary to regularly clip their nails, as they become curved with age and dig into their paws, injuring them. Therefore, as a responsible pet owner, you must learn to restrain a cat from clipping its nails.
How Can You Restrain a Cat to Clip its Nails?
With cats, it is always best to get started as early as you can. Once you have your kitten at home, get them used to someone handling their paws. Play with their paws, or massage them to put them at ease. Over time, they will get used to you touching their paws.
Try to bring the clippers out when your cat is sleepy or relaxed. Most experts advise that you try to clip your cats’ nails right after a meal so that you don’t have to deal with an overly squirmy cat.
Find a comfortable position; many cat owners find that their cats can handle getting their nails clipped when lying sideways and on their owner’s lap. It’s crucial to ensure that your cat is as comfortable as it can be.
When you’re trying to clip your cat’s nails, and they flinch away, don’t try to force them to stay in place. Instead, pet them and stroke their paws until they feel comfortable and relaxed. It is equally essential to ensure that your cat does not feel scared of the process.
How to Trim a Cat’s Nails?
Once you’ve successfully learned how to clip your cat’s nails, you should also familiarize yourself with the correct process of clipping its nails.
- Ensure they are comfortable.
- Keep them close to you, preferably on your lap.
- Take their paw in your hand and gently squeeze the top and bottom of each paw to urge their claws to come out.
- Clip only the transparent area and avoid the nail pulp.
When you learn how to restrain a cat to clip its nails, it can feel as though you’ve overcome a great challenge. As a responsible pet owner, it is best to know how to care for your cat and keep them comfortable.
