W

hen it comes time to trim your pet’s nails, does it ever seem like you’ve unwittingly entered the Twilight Zone and dropped straight into a game of imaginery twister? You: right hand to left paw. Tiger: right claw to your face. You: zero. Tiger: three hundred and five.

I

f you can identify with this scene, you’re definitely not alone says Dr Natasha Watts. ‘Many owners find cutting their dog or cat’s nails really frustrating. Owners end up with scratches or bites and an animal that is incredibly upset. It’s a vicious cycle – when the nail clippers reappear next time, the animal takes this as a cue that something unpleasant is going to take place and starts getting stressed.’

If you can identify with this scene, you’re definitely not alone says Dr Natasha Watts. ‘Many owners find cutting their dog or cat’s nails really frustrating. Owners end up with scratches or bites and an animal that is incredibly upset. It’s a vicious cycle – when the nail clippers reappear next time, the animal takes this as a cue that something unpleasant is going to take place and starts getting stressed.’

U

nfortunately, there’s just no avoiding it either. Inspecting and trimming your pet’s nails on a regular basis goes hand in hand with owning an animal, says Tash. ‘In the case of dogs, some owners think that walking on concrete is sufficient – occasionally that may be true but often you still need to do a bit of a touch-up trim.’ On the other hand, she doesn’t recommend clipping the nails of outdoor cats as they use these to negotiate obstacles such as fences and trees.

Arming yourself with a pair of nail clippers designed specifically for animals is half the job, says Tash. ‘The handles are easier to grasp and you can see exactly where you’re cutting. Make sure they’re sharp, though, because you don’t want to be struggling with your pet once everything’s in place.

‘It’s ideal if owners practise checking their pets’ paws and nails as soon as they become a member of the family. Try choosing a quiet time such as when they’re sleeping on your lap. Offer praise and a small treat – the aim is to make the experience pleasant for all involved so that the pet gets used to it.’ And avoid forcing the issue with animals showing signs of stress, Tash adds. ‘It’s better to take a breather and wait until they’ve calmed down again, even if it’s the next day.’

We would be happy to give clients a hands-on tutorial, says Tash. ‘Often, that just gives people the extra confidence they need or confirmation that they’re doing it correctly. And, of course, we love giving the animals a bit of a cuddle and a treat.’

“Inspecting and trimming your pet’s nails on a regular basis goes hand in hand with owning an animal”

Leave a Comment