Pawdicures: The Latest Thing In Kitty Pampering
Is your kitty spoiled? Even though you treat her like the Queen of Sheba, she probably acts like she could use a little extra coddling. You can pamper your pet by giving her massages, making special treats, and showing her videos of birds tweeting and chipmunks racing across a forest. Or, you could go the extra mile and take her to the spa to get a pawdicure.
That’s right – the pet humanization trend is really taking off. You’ve probably always treated your kitty like family, but now, the pet industry is capitalizing on your love for your four-legged friends by offering pet products that are as luxurious as those you use on yourself. This includes vitamins and supplements, designer pet supplies, and kitty nail polish.
Why Cat Manicures Are Important
Although you may relax during a mani-pedi, your cat might not. Most cats don’t love having their paws handled. So why would you want to give your cat a manicure? You probably already know that cat nails can grow long and extremely sharp. If your cat likes to knead your lap as you snuggle, you might feel the results of unclipped nails on a daily basis. Trimming the ends of the nails can make life more comfortable for both you and your kitty. A pawdicure can also prevent the nails from curling under and growing back into the paw pads.
If you look closely at your cat’s nails when they’re not trimmed, you’ll notice that they have two distinct areas. Closer to the paw, the nail isn’t translucent. The quick, which appears pink, is tissue that grows within the nail. Clipping this area is painful and causes bleeding. It’s no wonder that a cat whose quick was accidentally clipped may be afraid of manicures. Make sure that you only clip the translucent part of the nail at the tip. The more you properly trim the nails, the smaller the quick becomes, making nails easier to prune without accidents.
Will Manicures Protect Your Furniture?
Cats have an innate need to scratch. One of the reasons why cats scratch surfaces is because they’re trying to shed the old layers of nail. Keeping those daggers trimmed can cut down on this need. However, a manicure may not keep her from trying to shred your sofa.
You can try other techniques to redirect your cat’s scratching. Buy a sturdy scratching post, and place it in a visible area of your home. Lure your pet to the post using a favorite toy or catnip. Reward your feline for using an appropriate area for scratching.
How To Pamper Your Cat With A Pawdicure
Giving your cat a manicure doesn’t always seem like a soothing experience for a pet owner. If you’re stressed out while doing a DIY nail trim, your cat will likely be frazzled too. The ASPCA explains that a frightened cat can actually injure you or itself while you’re trying to groom it. That’s why it may be better to bring your kitty to a pro than to trim its nails on your own.
You don’t have to freak your cat out by taking her to the vet, though. Your feline might already be on edge when she smells the vet’s office. Although medical professionals know what they’re doing, they may not have luxury in mind. Many pet owners are starting to frequent kitty salons, which offer more than just basic grooming.
Cat spas and hotels now offer pampering services, including nail trims. You can combine a pedicure with a massage and brushing, which cats love. Feline spas are designed with luxury in mind. They often include rubber mats with nodules on which your cat can roll, giving herself a massage.
If you’re having trouble finding a place to get your cat’s nails done, search for “cat hotels” in your area. These boarding facilities often provide long-term and short-term boarding as well as grooming services. You can start out by simply bringing your cat to the facility to play. As the animal becomes more comfortable, you can start treating her to pedicures. Hopefully, she’ll associate the grooming with fun.
Options For Cat Manicures
How much do cat manicures cost? According to Thumbtack, you’ll pay about $10 to $15 for a basic nail trim. You can also paint kitty’s nails yourself. Make sure that you use a product designed for pets as traditional nail polish is toxic to animals.
Many pet owners choose to cover their felines’ nails with soft caps. These are flexible plastic coverings that are glued onto the cat’s nails after they’re trimmed. They come in different colors and styles so that you can match them to your own manicure. You can also get them in a transparent finish if you don’t want to bling out your pet’s paws. The soft caps stay on for about six weeks. They can prevent your furniture from getting damaged when your cat scratches, and they don’t interfere with the animal’s ability to retract its claws.
Nail caps can also prevent cats from scratching humans. This can help prevent the transmission of disease. Preventing scratches is especially important for seniors, people with diabetes, or other individuals whose wounds don’t heal rapidly. In case you’re wondering, nail caps are also available for dogs.
Does Your Cat Hate Being Groomed?
If your cat really detests being bathed or groomed, there are several ways to spoil your cat with targeted products. The makers of these products know that cats can be finicky. That’s why they offer items like wipes with calming ingredients to clean a cat that hates water. Many cats love being rubbed inside their ears or between their toes. If this describes your kitty, you might start doing this type of foot massage to get her used to having her paws handled. Eventually, she might love a pawdicure.
How To Spoil Your Cat
You know how your cat prefers to be spoiled. Maybe she loves curling up on the window seat or being brushed every evening. Perhaps she gets a kick out of exploring empty cardboard boxes. She may enjoy chasing after golf balls. If manicures aren’t your cat’s thing, keep them quick and professional, and then treat her with lots of love and affection when you’re done.