Do you own a pet? Do you own a dynamo that destroys anything that gets in their way?
Well, here’s a solution for those who hate having to replace things constantly.
Instead of throwing away an expensive gift or item that your beloved cat destroys, just replace it with an emery board.
In fact, once ingested, most minerals will pass out of the body in a day or two.
My cats love to play with emery boards. After they finish scratching, they leave them lying around like toys.I even have one cat that will lay on my lap while I mend my shirts.
After my cat chewed up my wooden cutting board and the sofa it was sleeping on people actually thought I had abused or neglected my cat.
The vet actually called Animal Control but fortunately I wasn’t worried because I just didn’t want my cat to get sick from the wood or the foam cushion.
What are emery boards?
An emery board is a legitimate tool for filing nails as long as it is not misused or abused.
The majority of individuals claim that they are affordable. Because they are inexpensive, a professional nail technician will not re-use the same one after each use.
An emery board is a legitimate part of the professional nail technician’s equipment. A person takes one of his or her nails and places it over the emery board.
The nail is held in place by the partitions of the emery board and the person then swipes his or her nail back and forth over the board’s grit covered surface to shorten it.
The professional nail technician has other levels for coarseness as well as an area for smoothing and shaping nails.
They may be used with either hand to hold items. Individuals who are right-handed will lean the emery board on their right side and individuals with left hands will use the emery board on their left side.
There are advantages to each texture. A rough texture is ideal for filing loose or ragged edges of the nails.
They will eliminate the jagged edges after filing the nails.
Does Your Cat Like the Texture of an Emery Board?
Hard surfaces may be ground down by the abrasive surface.
This is good for cleaning the fur coat and eliminating loose hair and dirt from the body. Since emery boards are typically used to clean fingernails and toenails, they are used on the paws as well.
Many cats are in this area because they are usually resting. When a cat lashes out at you, there is a good chance that claws are extended and ready to strike.
An emery board’s rough surface, when rubbed against a feline’s skin, may create a positive association between the feline and its grooming tool.
Another theory as to why cats are attracted to emery boards is because the abrasive surface may stimulate their nerves.
It may also have the effect of scratching a feline’s itchies, which some cats may react to by rubbing against it.
A nail file or a dremel may be substituted for an emery board.
It’s possible that licking an emery board is an automatic behavior that your cat practices to relax its mind and satisfy the need to groom itself.
When you notice your cat licking an emery board, it may be altering the texture of the object to make it more comfortable for her and relieving stress at the same time.
Why Do Cats Like Emery Boards?
Emery boards are a favorite of cats, and it’s no wonder!
Emery boards are popular with cats because they satisfy a natural need and desire of scratching and grooming.
A cat’s natural instinct is to keep his nails clean and filed – if his nails become overgrown, it can become painful from jagged edges or the nail growing so long that it can break and bleed.
Cats also like to sharpen their claws and this type of board satisfies that need as well.
The adhesive used to attach the emery paper might also be appealing to cats because it smells like fish.
While you won’t be able to detect any odor from fish oil, any odor that your cat detects might be enough to intrigue the feline.
Are Emery Boards Toxic To Cats?
The risk of your cat accidentally swallowing an emery board is very small. In addition, most cats do not like the taste and will not consume them if given the chance.
Fortunately, emery boards sold in stores are not toxic to cats, but it is wise to keep your eye on your cat if he or she consumes one.
Emery boards’ paper and grit are typically derived from natural sources like wood or minerals.
The only potential risk to your cat is if he or she swallows something from the emery board that causes oral irritation or an allergic reaction.
Your cat may accidentally swallow something if he or she continually chews on it for an extended period.
Cats with sensitive stomachs or allergies may react negatively to something on the boards. As I mentioned earlier, vomiting will almost always occur when your cat eats an emery board.
Keep a watchful check on your feline friend if he or she consumes an emery board on a regular basis or eats more than one on a regular basis.
Your cat will most likely vomit any food he or she has eaten within minutes of eating the emery board.
Even if your cat doesn’t eat the emery board, keep a close watch on his or her behavior to make sure the cat isn’t experiencing any gastrointestinal issues from chemicals in the board.
Keep a tight check on your feline companion to ensure that he or she is okay if he or she has ingested an emery board.
If left untreated, an intestinal obstruction can rupture and peritonitis can set in.
Why do cats lick emery boards?
As emery boards are bound with glue, they can cause an allergic reaction in your cat.
This is especially true with fish oil, as too much fish oil can cause organ damage or even death in cats.
It’s possible the cat prefers to lick an emery board rather than use a cat brush or comb.
It’s possible that the cat is suffering a medical condition such as nervousness or another problem.
You should take your cat to the veterinarian if licking an emery board continues past a few weeks.
Why Does Your Cat Like To Chew On Nail Files?
Because cats lack minerals, they are attracted to nail files.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the mineral deficiency that causes a cat to lick/rub/chew on its nail is more likely a zinc deficiency since it plays an important role in the formation of protein in the body.
Zinc deficiency occurs when your cat does not get an adequate amount from food and/or supplements or suffers from another health condition that prevents it from absorbing enough zinc from food.
Why do cats like nail files?
Nail files are a natural toy for a discerning cat to chew on.
They can play with them, and they can also learn to sharpen their nails with them. There is a little debate about whether or not it is safe to trim your cat’s nails yourself or if you should take it to the veterinarian instead.
Although trimming your cat’s nails can be extremely irritating to the owner, and most owners will agree that having razor-like claws on a cat is not a good idea, some cats love having long nails that will be ripped out all the time, especially if the owner is gentle and patient when trying to cut them down for the first time.
They like the feeling of rubbing their paws across them as well as hearing the “click” noise the file makes as it removes the shiny coating off the nail plate.
A mineral deficiency might contribute to a disorder called acral erythema.
Cats like pawing at nail files because it makes them feel good.
Also Read: Do Maine Coons Like Snow?
Conclusion
There is a simple and harmless solution to the dilemma of cats who scratch your things.
The cat finds it relaxing because scratching is a natural behavior that goes back to the ancient times of cats when they would sharpen their claws by scratching on tree barks.
Emery boards provide a safe haven for your cat to scratch to her heart’s content, allowing her to relieve herself of stress while petting you at the same time.
Many plastic boards with abrasive sand surfaces to brush your nails on abound on the market and are designed to be hung anywhere in the home where the cat can easily reach it, saving you the headache of ruined.
These boards are made of cardboard or plastic, with emery stone or sand impregnated mesh.
Aside from the lack of glass and other substances, it’s also chemical free and hypoallergenic.
Otherwise, unless an emery board is used to move the cats to a safe zone, your cat may shred your couch, mattresses, and cushions before you realize it.
A lot of cat owners endorse its usage because it is totally safe to use and does the job by getting rid of the nails’ sharp edges.
Keep the cat pleased and you’ll both be pleased by the end of the session.