Getting cats used to having their nails trimmed twice a month is actually a warm interactive game. As long as you give enough patience and care, this process will become increasingly easy, even becoming a small blessing between you.
For kittens who have never had their nails trimmed, we need to adopt a gradual approach. Before starting the formal trimming, let's have an intimate encounter with the nail clippers and cats!
Step 1: First encounter with nail clippers
Choose a moment when the cat is awake and relaxed, such as lying lazily in the sunlight or fully focused on the scenery outside the window. Gently place the nail clipper in front of it, and place its favorite snack at the end. Allow cats to freely smell and explore this novel tool, and enjoy delicious snacks. In this way, cats will gradually associate nail clippers with enjoyable experiences.
Step 2: Gentle handshake
Next, we need to make the cat accustomed to us holding its paws. Gently grasp the cat's paw, gently massage its paws, and give it a small snack as a reward. Due to the fact that most cats do not like others touching their feet, this process may require some patience. If a cat tries to break free, don't force it, just follow its movements gently. If it continues to resist, let it go.
Step 3: The Dance of Nails
Cats have a magical mechanism in their claws that allows them to freely retract and release their nails. We can use this to practice massaging the cat's paws to elongate its nails. Meanwhile, don't forget to continue giving it small snacks as encouragement. In this way, the cat will gradually adapt to this feeling, and we will become more proficient in mastering the technique of quickly elongating our nails.
Step 4: Find "live meat"
Before trimming, we need to locate the pink part inside the cat's nails - live flesh. This is the sensitive area of the nails, containing blood vessels and nerve endings. We absolutely cannot cut it here, otherwise the cat will make heartbreaking cries. During the process of practicing shaking hands and elongating nails, we can gradually familiarize ourselves with the position of the live flesh and ensure that we avoid this area during trimming.
Step 5: Sound Adaptation
To help cats better adapt to the sound of nail clippers, we can use ASPCA's suggestion: clamp an undercooked pasta with a nail clipper, and then cut the pasta while the cat enjoys the delicious food. At first, this sound may surprise the cat, but with positive encouragement and guidance, the cat will quickly adapt and relax.
Final step: Start trimming
After the cat has become accustomed to all the above steps, we can officially start trimming its nails. Remember to maintain patience and gentleness, while giving cats enough encouragement and rewards. In this way, the entire pruning process will become more relaxed and enjoyable!
