Has anyone experienced trimming their own cat’s claw? Well, I must say, well and good, congratulations! As a veterinarian, I highly appreciate those people who diligently spend time with their pets not only for the early morning or late afternoon walk but even with simple cat grooming or claw trimming.
Well, for those who are doing this, I believe that they must have started trimming their cat’s claw long before when their cat is still young. This is part of the training process. In fact it would be very difficult to cut the claw of old hyperactive unwilling and untrained cats. Of course, I would also believe that along the process and along those time of patiently training you cat to submit to claw trimming, our cat lovers would agree how they also benefit the strong relationship that have developed between them and their cats. Claw trimming may run from more or less 30 min and just imagine the closeness you can develop with you beloved cat.
Anyway, when trimming cat’s claw manually, you might need first to become familiarized with it basic anatomy. It is very important to note that when you are trimming cat’s claws, be sure that you are only and actually trimming away the excess part or else your cat may not like it again in its entire life.
Cat’s claws are complex retractable appendages. In order for you to clearly see it, you may need to gently squeeze the toe first between your thumb and forefinger to expose it as they are concealed within their sheathes above the toe pads. What you will then are the visible part of the claw which basically has two main parts. These are the quick at the center part of the claw that contains nerve endings and blood vessels and the claws’ outer cover, the keratin portion just like your hair..
Claws grow throughout the life of your cat. Although, the rate of growth may vary depending upon the breed and the health of your cat. Along this growing process, the older outer layer or the excess part wears down. This naturally happens as they scratch objects made of wood or other similar materials, dig or walk along rough surfaces. However, if you live in high buildings or you just basically don’t allow your cat to go outside most or all of the time, then you would find that those claws are and getting dangerous and uglier to look at.
Indoor cats experience less wearing of their claws. This is one of the reasons why our cat tend to scratch just anything else inside our house such as doors, wooden or upholstered furniture, rugs, books, carpets, floor mats and many other else. I hope nobody has been scratched as cat scratcher can lead to severe complications if not treated well.