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FurKids First Aid

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Clipping Cat Nails

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It’s not necessary to trim your cat’s claws – it depends on your pet’s lifestyle. Indoor cats are usually the ones who need their claws cutting, especially those who sharpens their claws on your furniture! Most cats do not like having their nails trimmed – so start trimming your kitten’s nails early. This gets them use to having their paws touched and your job of nail clipping much easier.

Some cats will happily sit in your lap while you trim their claws, some may need two people – one to hold the cat and one to do the trimming!

If your cat is difficult when having their nails clipped wrap them in a towel or ask your vet to do it for you, or speak to your vet about a sedative that you can give your cat before nail clipping begins.

Clipping Cat Nails

CLIPPERS

There are several types of nail clippers, including a guillotine type, a plier type and a scissors type. Some people find the guillotine type easiest to use in cats.

There is also a ‘grinding’ tool now on the market which is easy to use – but it is very simple to over grind so caution should be used with grinders (or any nail clippers!!!).

I find the plier type with a safety guard the best – not only does it give you peace of mind due to the safety guard, but it allows you to view more accurately what you are doing.

Clipping Cat Nails

A COUPLE OF THINGS TO REMEMBER…

  1. Cats have retractable claws (dogs don’t).

  2. Black nails are hard to clip as you cannot see the quick. Clip black nails slowly and little by little.

  3. Take it slow, if your cat only lets you trim one paw at a time – just wait and do another paw when your cat settles down.

  4. Cats that go outside or have a cat scratcher inside to maintain their nails may not need their claws trimmed.
Clipping Cat Nails

A CATS NAIL

A cats claw is similar to ours. As with humans the pink part of the claw that can be seen is known as the ‘quick’. The quick is made up of nerves and blood vessels and is highly sensitive. With white clawed cats the quick is easily seen.

Be aware that the quick grows with the claw.

A cats claw is finer and thinner than a dogs claw so easier to cut.

HOW TO CLIP

When looking at your cats paw, a claw can be considered long when it curves downwards and a lot of white nail is seen.

To trim a claw cut the nail cross-wise about 2mm below the quick (see diagram).

If you have a cat with very long claws start trimming off very small amounts to begin with. This allows the quick to recede back over time.

Clipping Cat Nails

QUICK TIP

Why not learn more about how to care for your cat?  Click here to find out more.

Clipping Cat Nails
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Pet business advantage

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If you own a pet business, no matter what industry; a groomer, dog sitter, dog walker, pet shop owner, rescue centre volunteer or you own a kennel or cattery, having a pet first aid qualification is a must.

With so many new home-based pet businesses popping up since COVID-19 struck, having an additional skill that you can promote to attract new clients and provide a benefit to current clients will give you that competitive advantage that similar businesses lack.

If you have staff working for you make sure they are also qualified in pet first aid. It will be great to include in your advertising and not only that, it will also give you peace of mind.

QUICK TIP

FurKids First Aid Courses are tax deductible if you work in the pet industry. Click here if you want to enrol in a course.

Pet business advantage
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Is it worth doing a pet first aid course?

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The simple asnwer is YES IT IS!

Knowing what to do in the first few minutes when an accident happens is vital to saving your pet’s life. Not only does quick action in an emergency save lives, it also saves precious time for your veterinarian as they can pre-prepare for your arrival.

Many pet owners and pet professionals don’t think about emergency issues  –  until it happens  –  and sometimes that may be too late.

What you do (or don’t do) in the first moments of an accident, injury or recognising early signs/symptoms of medical conditions can often be the difference between life and death.

Learning pet first aid will give you the confidence and knowledge that could save the life of your furbaby.

QUICK TIP

Click here to find out more about FurKids First Aid for dogs and cats.

Is it worth doing a pet first aid course?
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Who can learn pet first aid?

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Pet first aid is available for anyone wishing to increase their knowledge on caring for pets.

It is open to anyone, of any age, culture or educational background.

As well as pet owners, pet first aid qualifications should be held by those working in the pet care industry, such as; kennel and cattery workers, pet sitters, pet shop workers, breeders and groomers.

Pet first aid is also beneficial for volunteers in rescue centres or if you are interested in pursuing a career with animals.

Of course do your research and find out which course would suit your study needs best, e.g. online or face-to-face, and which course provides the best quality and up-to-date information that covers CPR, emergency and common accidents.

There should be no pre-requisites to learning pet first aid, the only things you need to have are a love of pets, a computer, iPad or similar and access to the internet.

The main thing is to ensure the course you enrol in provides personal support, offering you ways where you can easily contact someone if you have any questions.

QUICK TIP

Pet first aid isn’t a substitute for veterinary care. It allows you to provide first responder support until professional veterinarian care is found. If you’re interested click here to find out more about enrolling in FurKids First Aid.

Who can learn pet first aid?
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Clipping Dog Nails

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Most dogs do not like having their nails trimmed – so start trimming your puppy’s nails early. This gets them use to having their paws touched and your job of nail clipping much easier.

Some dogs will happily sit in your lap or on a table while you trim their claws, some may need two people – one to hold the dog and one to do the trimming!

If your dog is difficult or aggressive when having their nails clipped ask your groomer or vet to do it for you, or speak to your vet about a sedative that you can give your dog before nail clipping begins.

Clipping Dog Nails

CLIPPERS

There are several types of nail clippers, including a guillotine type, a plier type and a scissors type. Some people find the guillotine type easiest to use in dogs.

There is also a ‘grinding’ tool now on the market which is easy to use – but it is very simple to over grind so caution should be used with grinders (or any nail clippers!!!).

I find the plier type with a safety guard the best – not only does it give you peace of mind due to the safety guard, but it allows you to view more accurately what you are doing.

Clipping Dog Nails

A COUPLE OF THINGS TO REMEMBER…

  1. The claws on the rear paws of a dog are often shorter and may require less trimming than those on the front paws.
  2. Unlike cats, dogs do not have retractable claws.

  3. Also trim the dew claws that are located on the inner surface of the paw (unless they were removed as a puppy).

  4. Some breeds of dogs have 2 sets of dew claws on the rear paws e.g. St Bernards.

  5. Black nails are hard to clip as you cannot see the quick. Clip black nails slowly and little by little.

  6. You can assess if a dogs nails are too long if they make a ‘clicking’ sound when walking on a floor.

  7. Walking or exercising your dog on a paved path/road will help keep your dogs nails short!
Clipping Dog Nails

A DOGS NAIL

A dogs nail is similar to ours. As with humans the pink part of the nail that can be seen is known as the ‘quick’. The quick is made up of nerves and blood vessels and is highly sensitive. With white nailed dogs the quick is easily seen.

Be aware that the quick grows with the nail.

HOW TO CLIP

When looking at your dogs nail, a nail can be considered long when it curves downwards and a lot of white nail is seen.

To trim a nail cut the nail cross-wise about 2mm below the quick (see diagrams).

If you have a dog with very long nails start trimming off very small amounts to begin with. This allows the quick to recede back over time.

Clipping Dog Nails

QUICK TIP

Why not learn more about how to care for your dog?  Click here to find out more.

Clipping Dog Nails