One of the most important duties you have as a cat owner is to make sure that your cat stays properly groomed. While cats are known for their meticulous self-grooming techniques, you might be wondering if they are able to trim their own nails.
Do cats trim their own nails?
Yes, cats are able to trim their own nails. That being said, you might still have to trim their nails if they get too long.
Cats are naturally able to trim their nails. Most of the time, they trim their nails by simply walking or climbing on rough surfaces. Over time, their nails will naturally file down. They may also naturally file down their nails by intentionally scratching certain objects.
In the wild, cats are usually able to keep their nails filed down to a healthy level. However, domestic cats, especially those that spend the majority of their time indoors, might not have the opportunity or means to file down their nails on their own.
Therefore, it’s important to know when your cat’s nails are too long and need to be trimmed.
How to know if your cat’s nails are too long
There are plenty of indicators that could signal that your cat’s nails are too long.
Clicking or tapping noise when they walk
If your cat’s paws make a noticeable sound when they walk, especially on hard surfaces, then it most likely means their nails are too long. A cat with healthy nail length should not have their nails touch the ground when they walk.
Nails that can’t retract
A cat’s paws are designed so that they can easily retract their nails into their paw so that they are barely visible. If your cat’s nails are a healthy length, they should be able to go all the way back into their paw so that they don’t touch the ground when they walk. If you notice that your cat is not able to retract their nails completely into their paw, it could indicate that they need a trim.
Constantly scratching objects
Scratching objects is perfectly normal for cats. It helps them groom their nails and is a way for them to mark their territory. However, if you notice a change in your cats behavior and they start scratching objects more often, this could be a sign that their nails are too long. Trimming their nails can help protect them and your furniture in the future.
Getting caught on stuff
Another clear sign that your cat’s nails have gotten too long is if they frequently get caught on objects. This could be on rugs, carpet, furniture, etc. Your cat may start to whine or frantically shake their paws until its loose. This can cause a lot of pain, especially if part of their nail gets ripped off.
General pain
It is important to keep an eye on your cat’s normal behavior so that you can tell when something seems off. If you notice your cat exhibiting changes in behavior or mood, it could be a sign your cat is in pain. A nail that is overgrown might cause this pain/discomfort, so it’s important to inspect their paw to get a closer look.
There is also a chance that your cat’s paw is growing into the pad.
Limping
Another common sign that a cat’s nail is too long if they start limping on one of their legs. You should observe their paw closely to see if anything looks abnormal. If their nails look fine, your cat might have a bruise or fracture in their leg, which might require medical attention from a vet.
Unintentional scratching
Another way you can tell if your cat’s nails are too long is if you notice they unintentionally start scratching you when you handle them. You’ll want to trim their nails soon, because their scratches can sting and hurt a lot.
Excessive licking biting
If your cat is excessively licking or biting their paw, it could be a sign that their nail is too long. It could also mean they have another type of injury on their paw, or possibly a nail infection. It’s important to inspect the area to see if anything looks abnormal.
What to do if your cat’s nails are too long?
If your cat’s nails are too long, you basically have three options. You can see if a scratching board helps, you can cut their nails yourself, or take them to a groomer.
A simple fix to reducing your cat’s nail size is to invest in a scratching board. While this can solve the problem if your cat’s nails aren’t excessively long, you might have to move on to option two if their nails have reached an out of control length.
If your cat is not very aggressive and you have a lot of experience handling them, it should be fairly easy to cut their nails. The most important aspect is that you have a good nail clipper to cut their nails with. Also, you must be very careful to only cut the nail itself and not part of their paw.
If you accidently cut part of your cat’s paw, it can have lasting damage and lead to an infection.
If you are nervous about cutting your cat’s nails or don’t have adequate clippers, you easily take your cat to the vet or to a cat groomer. Luckily, nail cutting is one of the cheaper services when it comes to cat grooming. You should be able to find a place that offers the service for under $30.
Do you have to trim cats nails?
In conclusion, you only need to trim your cats nails if they are overgrown and causing discomfort for your cat. It’s important to keep a close eye on your cat’s behavior to make sure their nails are a healthy level. If your cat spends a lot of time outside, they should be able to naturally file down their nails.
On the flip side, its important that you don’t cut your cat’s nails to short. Cats need their nails for many of their daily activities, so it can really hinder their lifestyle if you cut them too short or too frequently.