Sphynx cat nail care
Nail cleaning
Their lack of fur also means that sphynx cats get waxy, dirty nails. Their claws become covered in a brown wax similar to that inside the ear. It's a mixture of the oil from their skin and the dirt they encounter. It is relatively easy to clean off after a bath with a Q tip. Or if you're sneaky, while they are napping. Embarrisingly, I often end up using my fingernails (disgusting I know!)
As cats age their nails thicken because the old layers stop sloughing off. If the nail becomes to thick it can injure the nail bed and cause the cat pain and annoyance. The cat may then chew at the nail and injure it further. So to save you and your cat a lot of hassle, rub the nail gently after a bath or nail cleaning in order to loosen excess layers.
Nail trimming
Also it is recommended that you trim your sphynx cats nails weekly to keep them short. This prevents them from accidentally scratching you or another cat during play, or injuring themselves by getting their nails snagged on carpets or drapes.
How to trim your Sphynx nails
- First simply press on the pad of the foot so that the nails extend.
- Then, while holding the cat steady so they don't pull away and cause injury to themselves, clip the nail like you would your own. Being careful not to come too close to the pink part called the quick which is the equivalent of a human cuticle and hurts very badly when clipped.
- Repeat
Softpaws
I am personally against declawing cats. Especially sphynx cats because the oils they naturally produce can get into the wounds made from declawing and often cause severe infections that can lead to amputation of the entire leg.
So if your considering declawing your sphynx cat, please consider softpaws. They are small vinyl covers that are glued over the cats real nail to protect against scratching. They are well tolerated and come in a number of fashionable colors.
They cost much less than declawing and you don't have to worry about infection, and your sphynx cats nails can match yours if you like.
