Why trim your cat's or dog's nails?
Many people notice that purring pets often scratch the scratching post with their claws, and sometimes any furniture that comes under their paw.
The reason is simple: animals need to sharpen their claws, and they simply don’t know any other way. Free-roaming cats do not have this problem, because they have trees and more at their disposal. But pets simply have no choice. Therefore, in addition to scratching posts, they need to regularly do a cat “manicure”. After shortening their claws, animals damage the furniture much less, and they scratch noticeably less.
Nail sharpening is completely normal for cats / safebee.com
Dogs have a similar problem. Even daily walks do not always help to shorten the claws, especially when it comes to the dewclaws (fifths) that do not touch the road when walking.
In addition, overgrown claws pose a danger to the animals themselves. While walking around the apartment or playing, a cat or dog can get caught on something and injure its paw. And ingrown claws cause great discomfort.
Cat grooming in Rostov-on-Don
The veterinary clinic "Doctor-Vet" provides services in Rostov-on-Don at a competitive price.
Cat's haircut "Dragon"
Cats are wayward animals and not every owner can trim them on their own. Therefore, it is easier to contact a specialist who has experience in this matter and can perform the service efficiently. As a rule, cats are cut for hygiene reasons, because animals are not able to care for their fur on their own. Especially when it comes to long-haired breeds. Grooming allows you to combat problems such as tangles and tangled hair. If the mats are not cut off, they cause a lot of inconvenience to the pet and can even lead to illness. Haircuts are also very relevant in the summer, when mustaches suffer from the heat.
Calling a groomer to your home will be an excellent solution for owners who do not have time to take their pet to a cat “beauty salon” and wait for it to be cleaned up.
How often to trim a cat or dog's nails
Pets need to trim their nails about once a month. The procedure can be performed more often if the claws grow quickly: this is often observed in animals that move little. Or less often, for example, if you take a long walk with your dog on asphalt and other hard surfaces every day.
Please note that in normal condition, dogs' claws should not touch the floor when walking and make sounds. And if your dog moves around the apartment with a characteristic clicking sound, do not delay the procedure. By the way, because of soft carpets, this symptom may go unnoticed, so do not forget to inspect the paws regularly.
Check your pet's paws regularly / petcentral.chewy.com
As for cats, clicking sounds when walking can also be a sign of overgrown claws. Although there are other reasons: paw injuries, age-related changes and more. Therefore, it is also impossible to do without an inspection.
Please note that nail trimming is only important for pets. Give cats walking the streets the opportunity to take care of themselves. Without their sharp tools, they simply cannot hunt, climb trees, or defend themselves from danger.
How to trim and file a cat's or dog's claws
Homemade manicure tools are not the best choice for grooming procedures, because our nails are different from animal claws.
It's better to use one of the special tools.
Scissors
amazon.co.uk
This tool looks different from the scissors we are used to. There is a rounded notch on the inside of the blades. The cutting surfaces come together when pressed and cut off part of the claw.
Scissors work well for cats and small dogs.
What to buy
- Animal scissors from AliExpress, from 55 rubles →
- Hello Pet nail clipper, 185 rubles →
- Moser nail clipper, 341 rubles →
Guillotine
amazon.com
As the name suggests, the claw cutter works on the principle of a medieval execution device. The claw is inserted into a special hole and is cut off when pressed.
Well suited for trimming the nails of dogs, as well as adults and especially large cats. Dealing with such a tool is not easy at first. But once you get the hang of it, the procedure will go smoothly.
What to buy
- Guillotine claw cutter from AliExpress, from 180 rubles →
- Guillotine from Hello Pet, 294 rubles →
- Steel claw clipper, 399 rubles →
Secateurs
petco.com
This tool trims nails quickly and easily. For convenience, it usually has a limiter that moves towards the blades and helps remove the desired length. Although if you get used to it, you can completely do without it. Most pruning shears also have a locking mechanism for secure storage.
Good for cats and dogs.
What to buy
- Nail clipper-secateurs from AliExpress, 130 rubles →
- Nail clipper-secateurs from Hello Pet, 274 rubles →
- Nail clipper-secateurs from Hello Pet, 452 rubles →
Grinder
petside.com
A grinder, or electric file, shortens nails by grinding against an abrasive surface. Of course, the process takes a little longer than with a regular haircut. But after treatment, the claws remain smooth, even and do not split. The accessory is suitable for both dogs and cats.
Getting used to the tool is not difficult, and it works quite quietly and usually does not scare animals. For convenience, some models have protective caps with holes for the claw, which prevent hand injuries and simplify the grinding process. Caps can also prevent the spillage of dust that is generated as a result of work.
Electric saws operate on mains power, a built-in rechargeable battery or batteries.
What to buy
- Compact grinder from AliExpress, 214 rubles →
- Grinder Ziver, 1,099 rubles →
- Electric grinder from AliExpress, 1,063 rubles →
File
thelabradorsite.com
This tool will help sharpen sharp edges after trimming your cat or dog's nails. It works on the same principle as a regular human nail file.
What to buy
- Nail file from AliExpress, 45 rubles →
- Nail files from AliExpress, from 61 rubles →
- Nail file, 195 rubles →
How to choose a tool for cutting and filing nails
When choosing any “manicure” accessory, it is important that it is comfortable for you, holds well in your hand and does not slip. Without this, trimming nails can turn into a real ordeal for you and your pet.
Another criterion is quality. The steel from which the blades of scissors, pruners or guillotines are made must be of high quality, smooth and without jagged edges. Otherwise, the tool will quickly become dull, and instead of cutting, it will injure the claws.
Choose quality tools / petbarn.com.au
Also, nail clippers come in different sizes. To comfortably trim your dog or cat's nails, buy the one that suits your pet. For example, small scissors are not suitable for a large dog, and it is inconvenient to shorten a kitten’s claws with a large pruning shears or guillotine.
When choosing an electric nail file, also make sure that it fits comfortably in your hand. The protective cap will create additional convenience, although it is quite easy to operate the device without it.
Pay attention to the quality of the attachments that come with the kit.
How to train a dog or cat to trim its nails
It is better to accustom your pet to everything related to care from a young age. This way the procedure will bring minimal discomfort. Try to ensure that shortening the claws does not cause unpleasant associations or painful sensations in the kitten or puppy. Don't scold for resistance and be patient.
Before the procedure, make sure your pet is not scared and calm. First, introduce the new instrument, show it and let it smell. The next step is to take the puppy or kitten's paw in your hands, stroke it and run it over the nails with a nail clipper. Repeat approaches several times a day.
When your pet gets used to it and you can calmly hold its paw, you can move on to cutting it. To begin with, limit yourself to one claw, next time trim another one and gradually increase the number. If your pet starts to get nervous and tries to escape, take a break and resume trying after a while. Don't forget to reward good behavior.
Act calmly and carefully / pets‑wiki.com
When you understand that the animal calmly accepts the procedure, start trimming the claws at a time. Cut off just a little bit at a time so that during the adaptation stage, negative emotions do not arise due to pain and the pet does not develop fear of the procedure.
As for adult animals, you can teach them to trim their nails in the same way. True, there is a possibility that this will take more time and patience.
If your adult pet categorically resists the procedure, ask a family member to help you restrain, distract, and calm him. Or use a towel or thin blanket to swaddle your cat or small dog.
Use a towel to hold your pet / ourpetshealth.com
An alternative option is a grooming bag to secure the animal.
A grooming bag will help cope with a nervous pet / aliexpress.com
But it’s better to try to negotiate peacefully with your pet and gradually teach him not to resist trimming his nails.
Cat grooming prices
Prices for such services in Rostov-on-Don may vary and often depend on the wishes of the master himself. When contacting the Doctor-Vet veterinary clinic, you can be sure that there will be no surprises regarding the price of a haircut. We announce the cost over the phone and it does not change during the work process! We only employ experienced hairdressers who can cut even the most wayward cat's hair. After the procedure, the specialist will give recommendations for further care and answer all your questions. Groom your cat yourself or seek help from specialists - the decision is yours. The main thing is to provide your pet with timely care for its coat and monitor its health. The price for grooming a cat is 1000 rubles.
Why do cats get their hair cut?
There are several reasons:
- Thermoregulation. This is the most common reason. It is especially relevant in the summer and for long-haired breeds.
- Hygienic aspect. During the molting period, tangles may form in the animal. A haircut can help you get rid of this problem.
- Veterinarian's testimony. A haircut may be necessary if your pet suffers from skin conditions or allergies.
- For beauty. Today the most popular haircuts are “Lion” and “Dragon”. Many owners like it when their cat looks unusual and attracts attention. This prompts owners to contact a groomer. To order, call the indicated numbers; 8-903-485-99-81
Your pets are completely safe with us. Many years of experience working with animals speaks of our status and confidence. We have cured more than a thousand animals, and we continue to save the lives of our little brothers.
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How long to cut and file a cat's or dog's claws
When trimming or grinding, it is important to remove only the keratinized part and leave the pulp unharmed, because blood vessels and nerve endings pass through it. Damage to this living tissue is quite painful for animals.
The pulp is clearly visible on light-colored animal claws / vet.bc.ca
Moreover, in dogs, the pulp grows along with the claw. But even if the dog’s paws are in disrepair and literally scratch the floor with their claws, this can be fixed. With regular trimmings, the pulp will begin to recede literally by millimeters in depth, so over time you will be able to adjust the length.
The pulp is clearly visible on light-colored nails, so you can easily determine how much to cut off so as not to cause harm.
Act carefully so as not to injure the animal / blog.centralpetaz.com
The situation is completely different with black claws, which are often found in dogs and sometimes in cats. In such a situation, it is very difficult to discern which cut will be safe.
When trimming dark nails, do not cut off too much / rowbite.com
There are several ways to solve the problem. For example, just file your claws regularly. Or remove a very small area at a time, literally a couple of millimeters, using a nail clipper. If, after cutting off the claw, you notice that its color inside has changed and become lighter, you need to stop so as not to touch the pulp.
How to properly cut and file a cat's or dog's claws
Examine the paws
Check for damage to the claws and paws / petful.com
Examine the claws carefully. If cracks or breaks are clearly visible on them, limit yourself to filing, and if there are wounds on the pads, postpone the procedure and be sure to consult a veterinarian.
Prepare your pet
Make sure paws are clean. For your dog, wash and dry them before grooming. If the paws are covered in thick fur, trim it down a little in the area between the toes and right next to the nails.
Make sure your dog or cat is calm
Take your pet's front paw and hold it in your hands. Check to see if the animal is scared. If your pet is too playful or aggressive, give him time to calm down and try again. If you see that your dog or cat is acting too nervously at any stage of nail trimming, stop the procedure and let him come to his senses.
Mark the length
Do not cut the claws close to the pulp / prouddogmom.com
Decide on a safe cutting or grinding boundary. Do not try to shorten the claw as much as possible, this may lead to injury.
Shorten the claw
Act calmly and confidently during the procedure / valeofcats.com
Take the nail cutter and position the blade a few millimeters below the pulp border so that the cut is at a 45° angle and matches the shape of the claw. Press the tool with a quick and confident movement. Repeat for the remaining claws.
If you are using a grinder, also hold it at an angle and gradually grind the claws down to the desired length.
File the edges
To smooth the sharp edges of the cut, use a file.
Encourage your cat or dog
Praise your pet and give him a treat after trimming his nails.
It is better to entrust the procedure to professionals
In a professional veterinary center, this operation will be performed quickly and safely for the animal. The experience of the master will allow you not to injure either the paws or the psyche of the animal. The procedure is inexpensive and not difficult for a professional, so it is better to get a cat “manicure” done in a specialized salon.
How does the procedure work?
First of all, the animal must calm down and get used to the master a little. The following is done:
- The animal is carefully held in the hands;
- Light pressure on the paw pad exposes the claw;
- A special tool is used to trim the horny part with the necessary distance from the blood vessel and nerve;
- If necessary, use a special file for grinding;
- The paw is disinfected.
The owner is nearby at this time, you can even perform the operation in such a way that the cat is in his arms - this way the animal will tolerate the procedure more calmly. In general, nail trimming takes no more than 5 minutes. If a cat has certain pathologies, injuries or diseases of the pads or the claws themselves, additional treatment may be necessary, for example, with various medications.
Tools
To trim cat claws, a special nail clipper is used, which allows you to remove the horny part at the required angle without touching important parts. A sanding file can be used. Tools of different sizes are used, depending on the age and size of the animal. All instruments are required to be sterilized before and after each operation. In his work, the master uses disinfectants that are safe for the health of the animal. The procedure is carried out with maximum care and attention to the cat.
What to do if your pet gets injured while trimming its nails
If the pulp of a dog or cat is damaged, stop the procedure immediately and treat the wound. Try not to get nervous or raise your voice to a frightened animal.
Be sure to treat the wound if you accidentally injure your pet / vetcallashmore.com.au
Be sure to have supplies on hand to help stop the bleeding. For example, you can use hydrogen peroxide or special antiseptic powder. Alcohol-based medications are not the best solution for such situations; they will increase the pain.
Another undesirable consequence of trimming a dog’s nails is the undermining of the nail. It can happen if the dog sharply jerks its paw at the moment when you slowly and hesitantly bring the blades of the tool together. As a result, the skin and sometimes soft tissues are injured.
If your pet has a claw tear, bandage the paw with a bandage or tourniquet and lift it up. This will help stop the bleeding. Apply a cold compress. To do this, remove the ice or food from the freezer, put it in a clean bag and wrap it in a towel. Leave the compress on for a couple of minutes and then take a short break. When the bleeding stops, treat the wound with healing ointment from a veterinary pharmacy and bandage it. Be sure to contact your veterinarian afterwards.
Our advantages
Why trim a cat's claws in Rostov-on-Don - we have the solution.
That's why they choose us to bake.
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The clinic’s equipment makes it possible to perform operations that are inaccessible to other veterinary hospitals in the city.
Good plus
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Let's be professional
Our doctors are professionals with extensive experience and a responsible approach to their work.
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