![]() ![]() Think about it-if you have sore shoulders, it feels good to grab onto a surface and pull against it. Kneading to Stretch Their MusclesĬats are natural yoga masters and love to work out all the kinks left over from napping. To better ensure the comfort of both you and your cat, make a habit of keeping your cat's nails trimmed with nail clippers, or invest in nail guards to cover your cat's nails. Try placing a thick, soft barrier between your cat and your lap. Never punish your cat for this behavior-he doesn't realize it hurts. Unfortunately, this can be quite painful, since the happier he is, the harder he’ll dig in with his sharp nails. What if your cat likes to knead people-namely, you? If your cat is curled up and kneading your lap while you’re petting him, he’s returning the affection and telling you he loves you right back. Even though kneading a soft surface doesn’t yield milk, adult cats forever associate the motion of kneading with the rewarding comfort of nursing. You might find your cat kneading blankets, stuffed animals, or other soft objects around the house. But why do they continue to knead past nursing age? A nursing kitten instinctually kneads to help stimulate the mother’s milk production. Few cats remain patient for more than a few minutes, so take what you can get, praise your pet for cooperating, perhaps give them a little treat, and then be on the lookout for the next opportunity-maybe even a catnap-to cut things down to size.Why Cats Knead Blankets and Other Soft ObjectsĬats start to knead as kittens while nursing from their mother. If you aren't able to trim all 10 nails at once, don't worry. Since most cats fuss more about having their rear claws clipped, start with the front claws. It's common to only cut the front claws, but take a look at the rear claws just in case they've gotten too long, especially if their sharp tips hurt you when your cat leaps on or off your lap. Don't continue if they’re too upset, but keep an eye on them to make sure the bleeding stops. If this happens, apply a little pressure to the very tip of the claw (without squeezing the entire paw, which would only increase the blood flow), dip the claw in a bit of styptic powder or cornstarch or rub the nail across a dry bar of soap. Just like the pink part of a human fingernail, the quick is very sensitive cutting into this area will likely cause bleeding and pain. This will cause the claw to extend so you can quickly but carefully snip off the sharp tip and no more.ĭon't get too close to the pink part of the nail called "the quick," where blood vessels and nerve endings lie. Take a paw in your hand and use your thumb and pointer finger to gently press down on the top and bottom of the paw on the joint just behind the claw. Now that you're in position and the cat's in position, put the claw in the right position too. ![]() If you've got a helper, now’s their time to shine: ask them to hold the cat while you clip the nails, or just ask them to scratch your cat's favorite spot or offer up a distracting treat. You may even be able to convince a particularly sociable cat to lie back in your lap. Or, place the animal on a table and lift one paw at a time. If you're trying to cut your cat's nails by yourself, try resting the cat in the crook of one arm while holding one paw with the other hand. ![]() Because cats' temperaments and dispositions vary greatly, there is no "perfect" way to handle a cat while trimming their claws. Some cats do well with no restraint at all, but most cats need to be held firmly but gently to make sure that no one gets hurt. If you approach a cat with a sharp object in one hand while trying to grab a paw with the other, odds are you'll come up empty-handed. Keep something on hand to stop bleeding, such as styptic powder, cornstarch or a dry bar of soap (to rub the bleeding nail across). The blunt pressure from dull blades may hurt an animal and cause a nail to split or bleed. Whatever your tool, be sure the blade remains sharp. But it is okay to use human nail clippers. Some people prefer a special pair of scissors modified to hold a cat's claw in place or choose pliers-like clippers or those with a sliding "guillotine" blade. Use the one that works best for you and your pet. There are plenty of tools available to trim a cat's claws. If the idea of trimming a cat's claws has you biting your nails, know that all it takes is some patience and a bit of practice to sharpen your skills. Nail-trimming is also a fast and effective alternative to declawing, which involves surgical amputation and can cause behavioral and health issues. Not only does a quick trim protect you, your pet and your family, it can also save your sofa, curtains and other furniture. Trimming a cat's claws every two to three weeks is an important part of maintaining your pet's health. ![]()
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