How to trim a kitten's claws at home

A little fluffy ball is, of course, a joy in the house. Like another pet, a small kitten requires special care. One of the problems is long and sharp claws, which constantly cling to everything, scratch and can even cause injury to the young feline. Cutting and sawing the tips will help to solve this problem.

Why cut cats claws

Sometimes there are disputes regarding the "cat pedicure." Some believe that cats need claws by nature, and it is not worth interfering with this process. Others are inclined to believe that overgrown tips cause inconvenience not only to the owners, but also to the furry pets themselves.

Kittens and cats do not need to trim their claws only if they spend most of their time outdoors. Thus, the dead part is erased on the asphalt, trees and other surfaces with which the legs are in contact. The pet does not need the help of people when there is a scratching point in the house. A kitten trained from an early age will systematically wash its claws on a rough surface.

Mandatory is the procedure for cutting off the horny endings to pets that do not leave the apartment. Their claws do not come into contact with surfaces that they could at least partially wear off.

On the hind legs, cats have four fingers with horny processes. But on the front there is one more side, which are located slightly higher. They do not grind, grow large and can even grow. Adult cats can nibble their claws, but the kids are not able to do this. In this case, human help is inevitable.

A broken claw is a painful injury and an open area for the development of microbes. As a result, the kitten may become ill.

How often to do cat pedicure

Experts recommend cutting the claws of kittens no more than once a month. But it is also worth paying attention to the individual characteristics of the pet. There are breeds in which the horny endings on the legs grow much faster than the rest. Scottish fold, sphinxes and Persian kittens require special attention to their paws and claws. They grow and stratification of the horn plates much faster. Therefore, clipping of claws in these breeds will occur more often.

Owners of kittens need to carefully monitor the state of the horny endings. Deterioration of their condition indicates a lack of vitamins B and D in food, increased fragility - a lack of calcium. The veterinary clinic will tell you which drugs will help to cope with problems.

Kittens clipping at home

If you have not encountered circumcision of the horny processes or are afraid to do it yourself, then you need to contact a specialist. He will make a correct and painless haircut.

Cat manicure can also be done at home. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with some rules and tips for the procedure.

Claw Tools:

1. Nail clippers are special clippers that perfectly cut the tips of the claws. They are sold at pet stores.
2. Nail file - in this case, the most usual one, which is in the manicure of a woman, will do. But it is recommended to purchase a separate one for the pet.
3. A cotton pad and an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide) - these funds will be needed only if you injure the living part of the claw.

Time to cut
When the kitten is active or very hungry, then the procedure should be postponed. The most suitable time for clipping a claw is the period when the baby is eating or sleeping.

The animal needs to be reassured, stroked, quietly talking.Be sure to smell the clippers so that they do not cause interest during the haircut.

A kitten, like other pets, is easy to train. Take this opportunity, turn the claw cutting procedure into a pleasant activity. To do this, stock up on a kitten's favorite treat: pieces of meat, fish fillet, delicious food. Before the haircut and after the circumcision of each horny end, give him a “delicious”. After several such actions, the puffy will calmly give his paws.

Rules for clipping kittens
So that this procedure does not take much time and does not harm the animal, you need to know how to trim the tips of the claws correctly:

1. Kittens need to cut their claws in a bright place. Carefully examine the horny process in the light. The part closest to the paw has a pinkish tinge - it is a pulp, a claw with blood capillaries and nerve endings. When cropping, you need to step back a few millimeters from it.
2. The dead part will have a white transparent color. It must be deleted. To conveniently cut off the horny process, take the kitten's paw and gently squeeze the pad over the fingers. Claws spontaneously push out.
3. Hold the tool strictly perpendicular to the claw. Gently cut off the tip. Align the cut points with a file. At the end of the procedure, wipe the claws with an antiseptic.

During the haircut, the kitten should behave calmly. Otherwise, it is necessary to postpone the procedure for a more appropriate time.

And most importantly, cats are freedom-loving animals, love independence and do not tolerate when they are forced to do something by force. However, they require attention, care and love from their owners.

Video: how to trim the cat's claws