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Ayla is only 7 weeks old. I've heard that trimming nails in the future is easier if you start at a young age. At what age should you start trimming nails? I know not to hit the wick or whatever it's called, the little vein. Thanks@
You heard right. The sooner you start doing this, the easier it will be. With Izzie, I started handling his paws as soon as I rescued him at 12 wks. When I did this and started trimming his claws, he was pretty relaxed about it. I also taught him not to bite or claw me, so when he tried this as I was trimming his claws and I said "NO BITE!" he looked apologetic and just let me finish his mani/pedi. He still doesn't like his back claws trimmed so I mostly wait until he's asleep with his tush pointing toward me on my lap. I keep the clippers in the drawer in my chairside table so they're always handy. I may only do one paw day. You must be careful not to hit the "quick", which is a dark vein in the claw. I trim off just the needle-sharp little hook on his claws. I don't try to cut too far down. Remember the claws on the sides of their feet also. I know in dogs they're called "dewclaws". These can cause pain and infection if they get caught and ripped. Ask your vet for more tips!
Izzy's advice is, as always, fantastic. I just wanted to add that you could probably even start now. I got Mieke at 5 weeks and thought she was too wiggly and relentless to start on her claws. But she was a slow grower and now she's about eight months old and REFUSES to get her claws trimmed. She has no problem with me touching her feet. She'll let me manipulate her toes, push her claws out, she'll even let me just hold her paws for a while when we're cuddling. It relaxes her. But as soon as I pull a trimmer out, she's gone and I'm bleeding. I've tried every trick in the book. Get her used to that trimmer. Let her sniff it, rub it, etc. Let it be a positive thing. It may spook her at first, but be persistent. Good luck!
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