How to Trim Cat Nails

Cats have very sharp nails, and it's not uncommon for them to cause scratch marks or worse on furniture, doors, draperies--and people. There is an alternative to the inhumane practice of declawing: you can trim your cat's nails. Most cats don't enjoy this process, but if you follow the steps below and have some patience, you should be able to cut your cat's nails and largely prevent him from scratching up items in your home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• People's nail clippers

Steps to Cutting a Cat's Nails

1. Put on a long-sleeved shirt or jacket and sit your cat on your lap. The shirt or jacket is to minimize the amount your cat scratches you. Sit with him for a minute or so talking to him to calm him down.
2. Take your cat's paw and gently press on the padding adjacent to each nail. This will cause the nail to come out of its sheathing and be completely exposed.
3. Look at the cat's nail before cutting. Most cats have white nails. This makes it easy to see the quick of the nail where the bloodline begins.
4. Cut the nail a fraction of an inch above the bloodline. If you are nervous about this, cut it a little higher. Cat's nails are in several layers, like an onion. After you cut the nail, peel away any layers that are loose from the remainder of the nail. Talk to your cat or get someone else to pet your cat during this process in an attempt to keep him from getting too upset.
5. Repeat this process with the rest of the cat's nails. If your cat becomes too stressed by this process or is about to scratch your eyes out, let her go for a while and resume where you left off later in the day or the next day. Take as long as you need to finish the process.

Tips & Warnings

• If you start cutting your cats' nails when they are kittens, they will be more accustomed to it and will cause you fewer problems as adults.
• Most cats dislike having their back nails cut a lot more than the front. Because of this, attempt to cut their back nails first before they have the chance to get really stressed over it.
• The bloodline recedes as the nail is cut so you can cut a little higher each time. I recommend cutting your cat's nails about every two weeks.
• If you have no luck in cutting your cat's nails, call your veterinarian. Most will cut your cat's nails for you for a fee.
• If you cut below the bloodline by accident and draw blood, press the injured area with a tissue until the bleeding stops. It should stop within a minute or so.