Cats claws are very sharp and they may not like you handling their paws. Start touching and massaging their paws so they get used to the contact.

While massaging their paws, press slightly to extend their claws. Keep doing that for a few days to warm them up for the clipping session.

How To Trim Cat Claws by Yourself or With Help

You need  your cat to trust you and to be relaxed. Don’t try this with a cat that is agitated..

So you want to:

• Be able to massage each toe of your cat
• Then extend each claw to see the entire claw
• Introduce the clipper and the sound it makes
• And take your time and trim each claw with precision

Let’s start with getting your cat to trust you to inspect each paw.

Don’t Try to Restrain a Cat to Trim Their Claws

You don’t want to restrain them, you want to get them to relax. Most people suggest clipping a cat’s claws after they eat and are a little tired.

Definitely make the experience a pleasant one or it will be your last clipping session. Have a bad of cat treats beside you.

Massage & Examine Your Cat’s Paws

Sit down with your cat on your lap facing away from you. You want to examine each paw and claw. Gently massaging the paws will relx them, and you can press on the paws to extend the claws.

It also helps if you can pet her in her favorite spots like behind the neck or under the chin but that will be difficult unless you have someone helping you.

Both my cats tend to pull their paws out of my hand when I try this. Just keep doing it over and over. Break out the treats if your cat is being difficult. Stop if your cat resists.

The goal is to squeeze each toe to extend the claw. Most likely you will have to repeat this process a few of times over a day or two. In time your cat will get used to it and you can take it a step farther.

You have to examine the claw so that you can see the “quick.”. The quick is the pink part of the claw where there are nerves and blood vessels. It has a triangular shape near the base of the claw where the claw is the widest.

You NEVER want to trim the claw anywhere near the quick. If you do, it will be very painful for your cat and the claw will bleed.

You probably will not cut into the quick in the beginning because you will be super vigilant. Maintain your focus everytime you trim yout cat’s claws, especially as you become more experienced. You may get used to the process and not pay as close as attention as when you first started.

So get kitty to relax and so that you can extend and examine each claw. If you can do that then you can trim their claws.

The Details of How to Trim Cat Claws

So you have gotten your cat to relax and you have pressed on the toes to extend and examine each claw. Now you want to get the cat used to the look, smell & sound of the cat nail clippers.

First, place the nail clippers near your cat as you are massaging the toes and paws. Let her smell them. Easy enough. You also need your cat to hear the sound they make so grab some uncooked pasta.

What you want to do is clip the pasta while you are massaging the toes. Repetition is key so keep repeating it as many times as you need to relax your cat.

When you are finally ready, and able, to trim your cat’s claws, only cut the clear tip. Stay far away from the pink quick part of the claw (never cut the quick).

It is recommended to have styptic powder close if you do cut the quick. I disagree. That will put you in a failure mindset. Think success instead. Also, it’s not like your cat is going to stay on your lap when you cut into the quick causing her extreme pain.

Are you going to be able to pull her out of wherever she is hiding to apply the blood-clotting powder? Here is a better idea…never cut the quick.

The Details at the Moment of Clipping

Here are the basic steps on how to trim cat claws:

1. Have your cat on your lap facing away from you
2. Try doing this after meals, not when the cat is active
3. Pick a toe, massage it and extend the claw
4. Notice where the quick ends, trim below that point then release the toe
5. Note: make sure to cut the nail from top to bottom, not side to side or else you could crush the claw
6. Breathe a sigh of relief and try for another claw

Count yourself lucky if you can get 2 or more claws clipped in one session in the beginning. If you can trim two claws, then that is 5 sessions to trim all 10 (you don’t need to trim the claws on the back feet). You will have to repeat this about every 2-4 weeks.

Use lots of treats, praise, and petting during the process. It will get easier as your cat gets used to you trimming her claws.

Types of Cat Nail Clippers

Regardless of the type or brand of cal nail clippers, make sure they are sharp. Dull clippers may squeeze the nail AND the quick causing pain and \ or splitting of the nail.

The clippers are dull if they don’t make a clean and easy cut. You ideally would want to have a second pair ready if the pair you are using isn’t sharp enough.

There are two basic types: scissor and guillotine. The scissor type cat nail\claw clippers are best for beginners. If you are reading this article, then get the scissor type. The guillotine type is best if you are already experienced clipping cat claws.

The other features you may want are a locking blade and ones made of stainless steel. You will have to replace them when they get dull unless you can have them sharpened.

Don’t use human nail clippers even though they will work. They are not as sharp and designed for a different purpose.

Here are three sites that review the best clippers. There are two scissor type clippers mentioned in all 3 pages: Safari Pro Nail Trimmer & Pet Republique. I would go with one of them.

1. 4 Best Nail Clippers for Cats 2019
2. Top 5 Best Cat Nail Clippers (YouTube video on Trimming a cat’s claws)
3. Best Cat Nail Clippers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2019

Cat Grooming Services & Prices

Most groomers are geared towards grooming dogs but some also offer cat grooming services. If you are from Philadelphia, you can check out my article Dog & Pet Grooming Prices. I found 18 grooming companies and seven of them offer cat grooming services.

The price I found to trim cat claws was $10 for all the groomers that list prices on their websites. If you take your cat every two weeks, then that would be $260 for the year.

Summary

My opinion is to spend the money to have a professional groomer trim your cat’s claws. If you prefer to do it yourself, then buy the scissor type cat claw clippers. It really depends on how docile or aggressive your cat is.

You have to know how to properly trim the claws of your cat, because if you cut into the quick just one time, your cat may not let you try it again. Check the groomers in your area for your local rates.

I think you should let a professional trim your cat’s claws unless you have a docile cat. Good luck either way.

The post Best Way How To Trim Cat Claws appeared first on Fairmount Pet Service.

There are 19 dog grooming companies in Philadelphia that have websites. I have a list of dog and cat grooming prices for ten of the companies. But eight companies do not list their prices.

The prices for various dog and cat grooming services for all 10 companies are relatively equal. The greatest variation in grooming prices is by either size or breed of dog. The same is true for short or long-haired cats.

Five companies have a full grooming list of prices by the size of the dog: small, medium, large or extra-large. Nine of the ten companies have grooming prices for dog nail trimming and for ear and teeth cleaning. Six have prices for just a basic bath or wash, and two of them have DIY wash prices.

And then there are the eight without prices. I can understand why they do not list dog grooming prices. Imagine washing a Chihuahua versus a Saint Bernard. The different sizes of dogs and the amount of fur make it impossible to list prices for that much variety. I would assume their prices would be similar to the other companies.

Seven of the 19 companies also offer cat grooming, four of them list prices.

Dog Grooming Services Offered

There are a lot of different services offered. Here are the most common:

• Various bath or wash packages with shampoo and conditioner, towel or blow dry, and flea and tick bath
• Brush out and haircut, matte removal
• Nail trim and paw pad cleaning
• Sanitary trim and cleanup, anal expression
• Facial, ear cleaning, plaque removal and teeth brushing
• Massage, pickup & drop off, and probably other services that I missed

There are packages that group a lot of those services together, or you can select individual services. Which services you need depends on your breed of dog.

Dog Grooming Prices by Zip Code (as of 9/4/19)

The 10 companies that list their dog grooming prices are in 13 different zip codes. Doggies Style alone is in 8 different zip codes. The 8 companies that do not list their prices are in the same zip codes plus an additional two. I also link to each company’s grooming or price page.

Note: A lot of the prices that the companies list have a “+” or “and up” after the prices.

Zip codes 19103, 19106, 19107, 19123, 19130, 19146, 19147, & 19148
Doggie Style Pets: Full dog grooming price is $55, $65, $75 and $80 for small, medium, large and extra-large dogs respectively. A simple wash is $10. Nail trim, ear cleaning and teeth cleaning are all $5. Short-haired cat grooming ranges from $50-75, long-haired from $60-90.

19103
Wolf Grooming: No prices listed. They do NOT offer cat grooming.

19107
The Pampered Pooch: No prices listed. They do NOT offer cat grooming.

19123
Chez Bow Wow: No prices listed. They DO offer cat grooming.
Spot’s Spot: No prices listed. They DO offer cat grooming.

19125
Ham & Bone: Full grooming is $55, $60, $70 and $80 for small, medium, large and extra-large dogs. DIY wash is $13. Teeth brushing is $5, nail trimming is $15.
Park Bench Philly: $10 for a bath, heavy de-matting is $50 per hour. They do NOT offer cat grooming.
The Groove Hound: No prices listed. They do NOT offer cat grooming.

19127
Canine Clippers: No prices listed. They do NOT offer cat grooming.

19128
Natural Touch Grooming: Full grooming is $60, $65, $75 and $85 for small, medium, large and extra large dogs. Nail trimming is $10.

19130
Best In Show: They only list full grooming of $55 for small dogs. A simple wash is $20. Teeth cleaning is $5, $10 for nail trimming, and $15 for ear cleaning. Short haired cat grooming ranges from $45-70, long haired from $55-70.

19136
The Grooming Room: No prices listed. They DO offer cat grooming.

19143 & 19145
Bark Park: Full grooming is $55, $65, $75 and $80 for small, medium, large and extra large dogs. A basic wash is $25, DIY wash is $13. Cat grooming is $80.

19146
Central Bark: A basic wash is $25. Nail trimming, ear cleaning and teeth brushing are all $13.
Groom & Board: Full dog grooming price is $55, $65, $75 and $85 for small, medium, large and extra large dogs. A simple wash is $10. Nail trimming & ear cleanings are $10 and teeth brushing is $5. Cat grooming ranges from $60-80.

19147
Pet Snobs Boutique: Nail trimming, ear cleaning and teeth brushing are all $10.
The Pit Stop: Nail trimming is $15, ear cleaning is $10 and teeth cleaning is $20.

19154
Camp Bow Wow: Nail trimming, ear cleaning and teeth brushing are all $20.

South Philly
Woof n Stuff: No prices listed. They do NOT offer cat grooming.

And don’t forget to look at groomers throughout the city that do not have websites. I know Bow Wow & Meow’s is a groomer in Fairmount. But because they, and other groomers, do not have a website it would not be easy to find out what their dog grooming prices are.

Disclaimer: I am not endorsing any of the pet businesses listed on this page. I do not personally know any of the owners. This is simply a listing of dog grooming prices that I compiled for people needing that service.

DIY Dog Grooming Tips

Grooming your pets can help improve their lifespan. It provides well-being, health, and comfort. In doing so, you may find cuts, scratches and other skin problems, swelling, or even ticks. Changes in temperament would be a good reason to take a closer look at your dog or cat.

You should bathe your dog every 2 weeks, and don’t use human shampoo (no human products of any kind). All dogs shed, especially in the spring and fall so regular brushing and bathing are important. Dogs that do not shed a lot, need regular grooming.

Make sure to use the right brush for the coat, and brush every other day. Check for ticks or other parasites. Also, check for cracked, dry or injured pads. or excessive hair in their pads. You will also need to trim nails and perform daily teeth brushing. Don’t clip their nails unless you know what you are doing.

If the above didn’t convince you to take your dog to a professional groomer, then the list of tools & equipment you need just might:

• Types of brushes: The most common are the bristle brush, wire pin brush, and slicker brush. More specific brushes are the curry brush and shedding blade.
• Combs: stripping combs, matte combs, rakes
• Scissors & clippers
• Shampoos and conditioners
• Specialty toothbrushes and pastes
• Nail clippers

So you will need lots of tools, have lots of knowledge and know-how, and lots of time. In the long run, it will cheaper to do it yourself. Or you could save yourself time and let a professional groom your pets.

Additional Pet Service Rates

I have an article on the rates and cost for every type of pet service. The article is called Pet Service Rates but it also includes other subjects like Philly dog parks, pet-friendly hotels, 24-hour emergency vets, and adoption locations. Check it out if you are interested in other pet services located in the city.

The post Dog Grooming Prices: Price List Near You, Philadelphia, PA appeared first on Fairmount Pet Service.