Improving My Pet's Experience
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Improving My Pet's Experience

When I found out that I would be traveling extensively for work, I realized that I needed to do something about my pets. I was concerned about them being home alone or staying with a neighbor since I needed to provide for them like I normally would. Unfortunately, because I would be in business meetings all day, I knew that I couldn't take them along for the ride. I decided to start searching for pet day care centers, and I was able to find a boarding business that offered top-notch care to pets. This article is all about improving your pet's experience.

Improving My Pet's Experience

Four Tips To Make Trimming Your Cat's Nails Easier On The Both Of You

Rafael Hopkins

Trimming your cat's nails on a regular basis is a great alternative to declawing. It helps keep your cat from causing damage to your furniture should he or she choose to scratch, and it also keeps you from getting clawed if your cat gets a bit aggressive when playing with you. However, trimming your cat's nails is not always easy. These tips can help.

Use human nail clippers.

When your cat holds completely still, you may be able to use pet nail clippers effectively, but these larger clippers are usually intended for dogs and can be tough to use on a cat's smaller nails – especially if the cat is wiggling around. Use human nail clippers, which are smaller and easier to handle with one hand, to make the task easier. Position the clippers vertically so you're clipping the nail in from the sides, rather than top to bottom.

Do one foot at a time.

The sensation of having the nails clipped is not appealing to most cats. If you're trying to wrestle with a struggling cat, you stand a greater chance of cutting the cat's toes  or your own fingers. Instead of trying to do all of the feet at once, do just one at a time, waiting a day or so between feet so your cat stays calm and quiet.

Look for the quick.

Before you cut the cat's nail, look to see where the quick is. The quick is a vein that runs down the center of the nail. If you cut into it, the nail will bleed. On clear nails, it looks like a red streak, and on darker nails, it looks like an even darker streak. Once you've located the quick, make sure you position the clippers in front of it carefully so you don't cut into it.

Give your cat a treat afterwards.

If you give your cat a little treat after each nail trimming session, he or she will start associating the session with a treat and won't be so skittish the next time you try trimming the nails. A cat treat or little piece of chicken will do the trick.

If you struggle with clipping your cat's nails, consider having a professional groomer, like Keshlyn Kennels, do this for you. They're experienced with handling cats and can trim the nails quickly to ensure the process is less stressful for your kitty. A groomer may also be able to watch you trim your cat's nails and give you personalized advice to improve your technique.


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