How to Trim Your Cat's Nails

Is your cat using their nails to mark up your furniture, walls or you? Your cat's nails are very sharp and can be extremely destructive, but there is hope. You can trim your cat's nails and prevent the damage and pain from ever occurring. Trimming your cat's nails is not an easy feat by any means, but it can be accomplished. The best solution would be to begin trimming the cat's nails when they are young. A cat that had their nails trimmed since it was a kitten will be easier to handle when they are older. If you have an adult cat, it is still possible to do. It will only require more patience from you, since trimming your cat's nails will be a new experience for your cat.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat nail trimmer
• <br>Styptic pencil (or styptic powder)
• <br>Good lighting
• <br>A helper (optional, but very useful!)
• <br>Cat treats

1. Prepare the area. Have the cat trimmer, styptic pencil and treats all within easy reach. Make sure you have a good light source also. This will assist you to distinguish how deep to cut your cat's nails.

2. Place the cat on your lap or your helper's lap. You could also place them on the floor or on a table. Stroke them gently to keep calm. Pick up one of their front paws.

3. Gently squeeze their paw by placing your thumb over one toe and your index finger under it to extend the nail.

4. Note the cat's “quick,” which is a pink tissue (blood supply) that can be seen on the underside of the nail. Never cut into this area, or bleeding will occur.

5. Cut the cat nails in-between the quick and the end of the nail. Do as many as you can at one sitting, but it may take several to get all of the nails trimmed.

6. Reward your cat with treats and pet them often throughout the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Associate treats with trimming your cat's nails. The sooner you do this, the easier it will be to trim your cat's nails. In addition, get your cat used to having you handle their paws. When your cat is on your lap gently hold their paws. Have the trimmer nearby, but do not use it, until your cat is completely acceptable to having you handling them. Give them plenty of love and special treats. It may take several days or weeks, before you can proceed.
• If while trimming your cat's nails, you accidentally cut into the quick area; bleeding will occur. When this happens, use the styptic pencil to stop the blood.