This force of nature impacts all of us, and happens right before your eyes. As such, we get accustom to seeing our kitties on a regular basis- to the extent that we don’t observe the gradual changes that occur as part of the natural aging process.
Does your senior kitty have difficulties walking? Perhaps a nail trim would improve their gait!
In my experience, some cats at the ages of 12 years and older tend to spend less time (and energy) sharpening their claws. Yep, they aren’t scratching up stuff as much.
Cat scratching behavior serves a couple of different purposes and fulfill some necessary feline needs. It can be a stress reliever and help a cat vent some frustrations as well as help them release some feelings of nervousness or anxiety. Scratching also allows cats to mark their territory with their scent glands that are located in their paws.
The process of scratching also helps to remove the outer nail sheath- as part of the sharpening process which helps to keep their claws razor sharp. If the outer nail sheath builds up then their claws can get thicker and lead to discomfort. This may also prevent your cat from fully retracting their claws. A cat may have difficulty walking if their claws are too thick for retraction.
If your elder kitty isn’t scratching things up like they use to- this can also lead to overgrown and/or ingrown nails. Ingrown nails are claws that have grown into their paw pads. In extreme cases, this can require surgery for removal and stitches to close up the wound. Regular nail trims for senior kitties is highly recommended to avoid a preventable visit to the vet.
Just one of the many ways we can help your cat feel like a Better Kitty.

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