GoGoKitty’s Cat Secrets

Clipping cat claws has never been part of a cat’s regular routine. It only became required by means of the domestication of the feline. Before cats became domesticated, they lived within the wild. They were not the little, fluffy, cuddly pets we know and love. They had been bigger and more aggressive. They would hunt, locate shelter and live a life of survival. They were not accustomed to comforts of life. The natural environment kept their claws trimmed and healthy.

Cats are now living the spoiled life. They get fed, have a safe place to sleep and usually do not need to do anything but eat and rest. Since the ground they walk on is mostly indoors, there is little chance of their claws being filed naturally; they grow out into very sharp tips.

This is not healthy for the cat, the owner or the interior of the home. A cat’s claws can rip furniture, curtains, carpet etc. They can also leave very deep scratches in the skin. The worst thing that can happen is a cat’s claws get stuck on something and a nail gets torn or ripped. This is very painful to the cat and can result in bleeding or infection. There are more humane ways to clipping your cat’s nails, CLICK HERE for more information.

One method to get your pet’s nails clipped is to take them to the veterinarian just about every two weeks. Yet this can get rather pricey and most individuals do not have the money or time to do this every two weeks. Since most cats hate having their nails trimmed, many owners neglect the task of trimming until it can’t wait any longer.

Clipping Cat Claws

Here are a few things to consider if you are going to take on the task yourself:

1) Purchase nail clippers specifically created for cats. Although not perfect, they still are far better than normal nail clippers created for human use.

2) Buy a small jar of powder to stop any bleeding. This can be found at your local pet supply store. Nails cut too short will bleed and the and bleeding must stop right away.

3) To expose the claws, press lightly on the paw. The nails are pushed out. Once the nail is exposed, only trim off the tip. Cats have blood vessels that run along the nail. Cut the nail too deep and the nail will bleed. This is very painful to the cat. The cat might possibly try to bite you, hiss and scratch to get away.

4) Directing a flashlight at the nail will show the location of the blood vessel. Yet it is still somewhat of a task to make sure you’re not clipping too deep. Begin with just small little cuts. Your cat will become quite sensitive as you get closer to the blood vessels. Be extra careful when you see your cat reacting.

5) If you see blood, stop right away and add just a little powder to the nail. It are going to be incredibly challenging to continue once a nail starts to bleed. The cat will probably be in pain and become less than an ideal patient for more nail trimming.

With a steady hand and some experience, a individual can get the job accomplished themselves. If the owner is worried about causing their pet pain or injury, then it’s best to use a professional to complete the trimming for you.

If you are tired of trimming your cats nails every two weeks or can’t bare hurting your cat’s sensitive paws and nails, then click here for a better way to trimming cat claws.

Although you may not realize it, there is a difference between American Shorthair cats and British Shorthair cats.  A look at the history of the British shorthair and American shorthair will help in the comparison.

British shorthair cats came from from the British domestic shorthair or Moggie, as they were called. In the late 1800′s, selective breeding brought them into what is now referred to as the British Shorthair cat. The coat of these cats is very dense and posh, allowing them to accommodate the British weather. Their voices are understated and gentle.  These cats will follow you from room to room.  They prefer to have their feet on the ground, or some vantage point, as opposed to being held.  Early handling and socialization of a kitten will encourage them to be comfortable being held.  The British shorthair look can be summed up with the word, “round”.  They have round faces, rounded ears and tail and round eyes.

American Shorthair cats are medium sized and have a strong body. The head is broad and round and the ears are medium sized and set wide apart. These cats were thought of as working cats, used to catch mice when originally brought to the United States (and called “mousers”). Their eyes are round and set far apart in keeping with the broad head. The coat on the American shorthair cat is considered to be all weather and is not as dense or silky as their British shorthair counterparts.

In the 20 century American shorthairs became a pedigreed cat breed.  Some records tell of these cats being on the Mayflower and were likely some of the first cats in America.

Both American and British Shorthair cat body types are called semi-cobby. Cobby means compact, stocky, heavy boned, well muscled, short and wide. They also have a distinctive shorter tail. They are considered to be low maintenance cats in comparison to the longer haired type cats and adapt well to their environment. They can easily live in homes and wander outdoors or in apartments living inside full time. They are understated and keep to themselves, although they tend to be extremely loving to their owners.

They are perfect for a family environment and live well with children. Low keyed and laid back, they have the perfect personalities for this type of living.

The American shorthair cat was recognized in 1906 by the CFA and known as the Domestic Shorthair. It’s name was changed to the American shorthair between 1960 and 1966.  The British shorthair was first accepted for champion status in the United States in 1967 with the American Cat Association (ACA), and by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1980.  Both the British shorthair and American shorthair have found their place in the cat fanciers world.