The Three-Point Program

Trim your cats nails.
Get your kitten used to having its nails clipped while it is young. With an older cat, it may help to begin by handling the cat's feet under pleasurable circumstances. Then begin to introduce the clipping procedure by approaching the cat while its relaxed or even napping. If you feel uneasy, wrap the cat in a towel, and expose one paw at a time, to trim. Praise your cat while you clip the nail and reward it with a treat.

The only equipment necessary is a good pair of nail clippers and a nail file (or emery board). Never use scissors, since they can tear the nail. If you're in doubt about what the proper nail length looks like, have your veterinarian trim the nails once.

1. Sit on the floor with your pet, trimmers, and some styptic powder, Kwik-Stop, CutStop Styptic Pads or other product to stop bleeding if you knick the quick.

2. Hold your pets's paw firmly and push on its pads to extend the nail. Locate where the quick ends. With clear or light nails, it is easy to see the pink color where the quick ends.

3. Using a nail trimmer for pets, cut the nail below the quick on a 45-degree angle, with the cutting end of the nail clipper toward the end of the nail. You will be cutting off the finer point. In cats, the quick is generally easy to see, and you can cut the excess away with one cut. The good news is that, the more diligent you are about trimming, the more the quick will regress into the nail, allowing you to cut shorter each time.

4. In some cases if the nails are brittle, the cut may tend to splinter the nail. In these cases, file the nail in a sweeping motion starting from the back of the nail and following the curve to the tip. Several strokes will remove any burrs and leave the nail smooth.

5. If your pet will tolerate it, do all four feet this way. If he won't, take a break.

6. If you accidentally cut the quick, wipe off the blood and apply Kwik-Stop or styptic powder to stop the bleeding.

Provide multiple scratching posts. Such posts must be sturdy, tall enough to allow the cat to completely stretch (3 feet or taller), and properly placed. A bark-covered log, a post covered with sisal, or a tightly woven burlap-covered post will work well.

Soft, fluffy, carpeted scratching posts don't work -- If you use carpet, secure it to the posts with the rough backing on the outside; soft carpeting will not satisfy a cat's need to claw. They are one of the greatest causes of declawing because cats often don't like the posts. Frustrated humans may resort to surgery.

Place one scratching post where the cat is already clawing, and another close to where he or she normally sleeps (cats like to stretch and scratch when they first wake up).

Another option is the cardboard or sisal "scratching box," which lies on the floor. These are fairly inexpensive and small enough to scatter around the house. This should allow your cat easy access to an "approved" scratching spot at all times. They will need to be replaced every few months, as they do tend to wear down quickly -- If you do not replace them, it is possible that your cat may end up scratching the furniture again, until you do.

Find it at Allpets.com Use search term "alpine scratcher"

Show your cat where to claw and where not to claw.
Place your cat on the new scratching post and move his or her paws, or pretend to scratch it yourself. This will scent the posts and encourage exploratory clawing.

Make the post a "fun spot." Play games with your cat on and around the post. Attach hanging strings, balls or bouncy toys to it. Sprinkle catnip on the post. Keep your cat interested by refreshing it once a week.

When your cat uses the post, praise it to reinforce this behavior. Be careful not to startle or frighten him or her. When the cat claws furniture, discourage this behavior with a firm voice or other loud noise, but never with physical force. Lukewarm water from a squirt gun directed at the back of the animal is often successful.

During the training period, you may need to cover upholstery with plastic or other protection. Cats don't like the slippery feel and will quickly learn to stay away.

Other Options
Soft Paws Nail Caps for Cats. Soft Paws are soft, vinyl nail caps that are applied to cats' newly trimmed nails. The nail caps allow cats to scratch naturally, without harming furniture. Each application lasts about four to six weeks.

back to declawed

<< previous article - next article>>

Pretty Kitty