Today’s Veterinary Business Staff

The UC Davis Animal Welfare Epi Lab has implemented a multistep protocol that desensitizes cats to handling and nail trimming.
Jennifer Link, a Ph.D. student at the lab, helped socialize rescued and surrendered cats during her visits to the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Frequent questions about nail trimming led to her research.
“When people hear that I study cats, many ask if I can help them with nail trims,” Link said. “We know that socialization matters throughout life.”
Her research involves cooperative care, which allows the cats to interact at their comfort level throughout their training. The felines experience one of the following scenarios:
- Handling and nail-trimming protocol.
- Handling protocol.
- Nail trim but no training.
Link habituates the protocol cats by sitting in a quiet room and rewarding treats to a cat that places its front paws on a mat. This interaction teaches the cats that Link pays them attention only when their paws touch the mat.
She proceeds step by step during the nail trimming, first touching the cat’s legs and paws. She then gently squeezes the paw to extend the nail and trims the nail if the cat doesn’t resist. She stops if the feline resists at any point.
“I think with the cooperative care, it does seem to almost improve their trust in me,” Link said. “They are more comfortable if we let them decide.”
Cats need their nails trimmed every 10 to 14 days, but many owners have uncooperative pets. According to UC Davis, the research might help owners perform regular grooming.
“Any new protocols that increase the comfort and safe handling of the cats in our care will also improve their overall well-being and adoptability,” said Dan Marple, the Sacramento SPCA’s animal welfare manager.
The ASPCA is funding the research through an applied behavior grant awarded to Dr. Carly Moody, an assistant professor who runs the Animal Welfare Epi Lab.
“Hopefully, in the future,” Dr. Moody said, “something like this could be incorporated into shelter cat enrichment and management programs.”