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 Sample
Pet Parenting Topic
Kinder, Gentler Pet Pedicures
Although nail trimming may never
make your pet's Top Ten List of
favorite activities, nail trims
don't need to be painful or dreaded.
Protect your pet from a painful
experience and bad memory so you
have a lifetime of cooperation when
it's time blunt those daggers!
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Without regular
trimming, cat nails can
grow into the paw pad or
catch on objects.
Most cats prevent these
problems by scratching
on trees or the posts
you provide.
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 Preparation
is Key!
Have you been
practicing gentling exercises
with your
pet? If so, nail trimming
will be easier.
If not, before nail trimming,
help your pet learn to accept
full body gentling including the
feet and toes.
Canine Gentling
Feline Gentling
Introduce gentling when
your pet is
sleepy or very
relaxed. Hand feed your pet
during gentling to make this
activity more desirable.
Practice wriggling and tapping
on each nail.
Your goal is to develop your
pet's trust and cooperation. You
know your pet trusts you when
your pet acts like a rag doll
during gentle handling. Make
sure you keep going back to your
pet's favorite spots during
gentle handling. If your
pet resists, stop, give a short
break and begin again more
slowly.
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Do one nail per day. Release
the foot before your
pet struggles. Give
verbal praise, lots of
attention and food
treats after each nail
is filed or clipped. |
 Once
you are ready to snip a nail, make
your goal one nail per day.
Snip or file the nail tip
only. Taking too much nail off risks
cutting into the sensitive
quick (the pink, living
tissue inside the nail closet to the
paw). Cutting the quick WILL HURT
your pet!
When in doubt, consult with
your pet's veterinarian.
Nail Trimming Tips:
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Give your pet a bath or just
soak feet in water to soften the
nails before trimming.
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File the nails after trimming to
blunt the edges.
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Some pets will let you do
anything with one hand if
the other is offering a food
treat.
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Don't forget to trim the
dewclaws - the
toes located on the
inside of the
front
and sometimes rear
paws - similar to our
thumb location.
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