Cat Nail Trimming
The very first thing we always do is trim the nails, for the benefit of the cat and the groomer.
It benefits the cat by reducing the chance of the nail getting snagged and caught on something (usually something expensive made of fabric). It benefits the groomer by reducing the laceration threat while convincing Fluffy that the drier isn't a monster.
Unlike dog nails, cat claws grow in layers or sheaths, like layers of an onion. Scratching and stretching is a natural way of pulling off the old outer sheath, revealing a new and needle sharp nail beneath. If the cat is an inactive, geriatric or indoor cat, they may not scratch often enough to pull the old sheaths off their nails. In extreme cases, the nail will grow very thick and long, even curving back under the toe and piercing the pad!
As the nail grows longer, so doe's the live central "quick" of the nail (the triangular pink area seen at the nail’s base). With regular trimming, the quick will recede back, allowing a shorter and shorter nail trim as time goes by.
Destructive scratching behavior is probably the biggest complaint we hear. Regular trimming and appropriate scratching posts can greatly reduce damage to furniture and family members.
You should never hear a cat's nails clicking while walking across a hard floor! That's a definite sign your cat's nails need trimming!
Every once in awhile, an owner requests we leave the nails sharp so the cat can defend itself outside. Generally, "nope", we just can't do it. Safety issue, you know?