How to Trim a Cat's Claws

Clipping a cat’s claws can be nerve-racking – for you and your cat! Follow these short and simple easy steps to prevent scratched arms and ripped up couches.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat nail clippers
• A nail file
• A towel
• Styptic powder (Kwik-Stop)

1. Calmly approach the cat. He probably knows what’s about to happen and will try to hide from you.

2. Once you have caught the cat, position him so that he is sitting on your lap, facing away from you. If needed, put the towel on his lap, to cover his back legs (to keep them from pushing you away and using your arm as a scratching post).

3. Once you have him stabilized, take the first paw and squeeze the pad gently to expose the claws.

4. Take the nail clippers and cut the first nail where the vein ends, which is the pinkish line in the nail.

5. Repeat for the rest of the nine nails.

6. After your finished, give the cat lots of love and attention!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you are very calm and gentle throughout the whole process. If you are loud and abrasive, your cat will remember this and be more hesitant and resistant the next time.
• If your cat is doing everything in his power to stop you, then let him go and wait a few minutes and try again. Holding him down will just prolong his anger.
• Trim your cat’s nails every two weeks or so, trust me; you’ll do your arms and furniture a favor!
• Only use nail clippers made for cats, if you use human nail scissors, you could splinter or damage his nail.
• If you accidentally cut into the vein, wipe off the blood and quickly apply the styptic powder, which will stop the bleeding.
• If the nail splinters, take a nail file and gently file the nail until its smooth.