4 www.catprotection.org.au Anne Quain, Chantelle McGowan, Anneshelly Chen and Laura Bennington If you live with a cat, no doubt you’ve noticed that he or she has sharp, curved, tapered nails. In the wild – and sometimes in domestic settings – cats use their claws for climbing, gripping, hunting, marking their territory and defending themselves. But as those of us who live with cats know, claws can grow very long and very sharp and sometimes need trimming. This article is based on research conducted by our team (veterinarians Anne Quain and Chantelle McGowan, with veterinary nurse Laura Bennington and veterinary student Anneshelly Chen). Anecdotally and through our own experiences working in veterinary teams, we know that nail trimming can be stressful for cats. As scientists with a passion for cats, we decided to dig deeper. But first, it is helpful to understand why we trim cats' nails. Not just a mani-pedi: why do (some) cats' nails need to be clipped? In the wild, cats wear down their nails to some extent through climbing and scratching surfaces like trees. Domestic cats typically have fewer opportunities to do this. They also live much longer than cats in the wild. Nails tend to become overgrown with age. Overgrown nails can cause discomfort to cats, especially if they become ingrown. We commonly see painfully ingrown nails in older cats, particularly those with arthritis. Overgrown nails can lead to misadventure (getting caught in things like carpet, blankets or even on scratching posts). Overgrown and ingrown nails also make it harder for cats to walk. There are also human safety issues to consider. Sharp nails can be a risk to cat carers who have fragile skin, those taking blood thinning medications, or those undergoing immunosuppressive treatment who might be more vulnerable to infection. Cats who are prone to scratch, or those who struggle to retract their claws, are more likely to scratch people. Not all cats need their nails clipped. Animals with mobility issues, including cats with three legs, or those with outdoor access need their claws to help them climb or grip. Cats with short nails, or those who have little nail beyond the quick, should not have their nails clipped until they grow longer. The quick is usually visible within the nail and it contains nerves and blood vessels, so cutting the quick is painful and traumatic and leads to bleeding. What we found We surveyed veterinary team members, particularly veterinary nurses, who perform nail clips on cats and dogs in Australia. Their concerns were that almost 60% of cats exhibited signs of fear, anxiety and stress when having their nails clipped[1]. This could manifest in defensive behaviours. In fact, almost 80% of veterinary nurses had been injured while performing nail clipping on cats and dogs. What that tells us is that there is a huge need to minimise stress associated with nail clipping (and veterinary visits in general). One strategy suggested by veterinary nurses is to help support cat caregivers to learn how to maintain their cat’s nails at home. Tips for home nail care Scratching is a natural, normal behaviour in cats. They use both vertical and horizontal surfaces to scratch. Cats have scent glands in their paws, so scratching is a means of scent (olfactory) and visual communication – even if we cannot understand it. Provision of multiple scratching surfaces is recommended. Scratching can help wear down the nails. We highly recommend scratching posts, scratching boards, sisal rope and corrugated cardboard to give cats something to dig their claws into. For many cats, provision of scratching surfaces is helpful, but doesn’t address their long nails. Many will accept nail trimming at home if they are given time to get used to the process. For cats to accept nail trimming, they need to be in a positive mental state. They should only be approached when calm and relaxed, with minimal restraint. We recommend desensitising cats to nail clipping using a “touch gradient”. This involves minimal exposure to touching cats with nail clipping equipment, which is increased as cats become more comfortable and relaxed. Touch gradient begins with your hands (no clippers) starting in a minimally invasive location on the body e.g. between the shoulder blades and then gradually moving your hand in a light, sweeping motion towards their paws. It’s important to let your cat pull away if they wish. This tells you that you might have gone too quickly or too far for their comfort. Consent is everything when attempting to successfully desensitise a cat to anything. It’s amazing what they say yes to when they know they can say ‘no’ and be heard! Only after your cat is allowing you to touch their Stress-free nails
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