How to Clip Your Cat's Toenails!

Ok, Here We Go!

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By MarlaineMarie
eHow Community Member

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(23 Ratings)

Yes! It can be done! In fact, it should be done! Do Not De-claw Your Cat! Once a cat is declawed, it has no defenses if they happen to get out of the safety of your home. To all cat owners....please do not declaw your cats! Try this first from kitten on! (The pic that's showing is of Lamb Chops but I changed it to one of Phat's - (eHow glitch) - but click to see Phat set to start getting his nails trimmed.)

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A good toenail clipper
Patience with your pet
A thick towel to wrap them in if necessary
Possibly a friend to hold them for you
A good scratching post that won't fall over

Step 1

Not Happy But Holding Still!

My first cat was such a lady, I didn't realize that some cats could be "naughty". On the other hand, I was raised with German Shepherds and learned the basics of clipping toenails from little on and just trimmed my cat's nails like I did the dogs. This was all to my advantage and it can be for you as well! Trimming your cat's claws will help prevent damage to furniture and woodwork. It will also save money by not having to go to the vet or pet groomer when your cat's nails get too long. Our victim, I mean our subject, today is Monsieur Phat Cat - a big, sweet 13 year old who knows alllllll about this stuff!
Step 2

Claws Out

Just like dogs, fiddle with their feet from babyhood on to get them used to the handling of their toes. Hold their feet and push the claws out gently, either one at a time or all. You can do this while massaging the back of their neck.
Step 3

............ purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

There is a spot on the back of the neck that is what I call the "Mama Makes You Behave Yourself" spot that all mother cats grab when they want their kittens to be quiet and calm. When a mama cat carries her baby holding it by the neck, they go totally limp and still. It works throughout their life - right Phat? That's a yes....
Step 4

Spread 'Em Phat!

Hold the cat's paw in your hand with your fingers on the underside & your thumb on the top. Gently put pressure on a toe to make it come out of it's sheath so you can see the nail.
Step 5

Snip Snip Here Snip Snip There

Cat's claws are usually white and pretty easy to see the quick. Even if the nail is dark, the blood supply or quick usually starts at the same point as Phat Cat's. Don't cut into the blood area. It will bleed and your cat will take a long time forgiving you for doing it!
Step 6

Hang On - Almost Done!

Don't cut the nail shorter than shown in the pic - it's much better to have to cut more often than to have to struggle with every clipping session after cutting too short because the cat suspects they will get hurt! (And they have a very longggggggg memory!) If you accidentally cut the nail too short, use a styptic pencil, corn starch or hold a paper towel against the wound for a minute. The claw will stop bleeding naturally in less than five minutes. If it continues even after using hard pressure against the tip with a paper towel, take your cat to the vet. I'm not sorry - I was not able to get a pic of his nail bleeding because none of them did!
Step 7

Scissors Type Clippers

You can use the same clippers you use for your dog. You can even use human nail clippers. There are clippers designed especially for cat's claws, available from your vet or pet supply shop. I've added a selection on Duelin' Deals Emporium, listed below. The main thing is to be sure the nail clippers are very sharp because blunt ones crush the nails instead of cutting them.
Step 8

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ...........

Last, but should never be least - once you're done, cuddle them. Give them treats! Reassure them with an extra - oh so nice - "Mama Makes You Behave Yourself" massage because they plain out love that! Phat's paw was curlin' and padding with joy here and his eyes glazed over! (And YES - he almost always holds my hand while I cut his nails.