How to Trim the Claws of a Cat

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By kittynurse
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Various tools for the job!

Trimming the claws of a cat is relatively easy with the proper tools and a little knowledge. Your cats claws should be checked at least once a month to ensure they do NOT grow into the pad, causing pain and infection! A little observation goes a long way too ... take a look.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Whatever tool is most comfortable to you.
Stop bleed.
Gentleness, yet a take charge attitude.
Eyesight... be aware of what you are looking at.

Step 1

Choose your tool. Whatever YOU are most comfortable with is the best! I use human fingernail trimmers for cats myself, but whatever you handle best is the best.
Step 2

Be patient. If this is the first time you have trimmed your cats claws or this is a new cat a little patience goes along way. Cats, however, do not have patience. Whats worse is they seem to have a timer... when your time runs out... their done! Take a break, for an hour or so, thats how long its going to take your furkid to settle. Then do a little more. Its better to take the first couple of trims in steps than to make this a negative experience in her eyes. After a couple of painless trims... all should be well!
Step 3

Now hold your cat in your lap and gently unsheath the claw by sliding one finger under it and gently applying pressure on top of it. The cats claw should slide out and be visible. If they have long hair you may have to slide the hair back with your thumb to get a good view of the claw!
Step 4

Look for the vein! A good view of the claw is important because there is a vein and when you cut too close to that vien it's called "quicking".
Cut your nail past the recommended point and tell me how it feels. Well, it feels the same to your cat. Thats what 90% of the battle is until you gain his trust... he does'nt want to be hurt and probably already has been hurt.
Step 5

Place your instrument at the peak of the curve. If you stay at the peak and then lean the instrument towards the tip of the claw... you will have a perfect cut! If you look at the claw you can see the pinkish vein just under the nail... just lean away from it.
Step 6

Have Stop bleed or a styptic powder opened and ready just in case. If by chance you do "quick" him, he will bleed. Depending upon his blood pressure, heart rate, how far down you've gone and fear, that could be just a couple of drops or it could actually, in extreme incidences spurt blood. But thats rare unless you have really cut too short!
Step 7

STAY CALM! Hold him firmly and do not let him go yet. Have your styptic powder open before you begin and take a clump between your thumb and forefinger and apply it to the bleeder... holding your finger on the tip with gentle pressure for about a minute or two. Then release and the bleeding should stop. Let your friend take a rest and don't worry... it happens to the best of us! Continue until done.

Comments

surly-mac said

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on 9/12/2009 Boy, this is a good one! Just how to trim the claws of a cat is always a lively debate around this Kitty House. Thanks for a good article with excellent use of images.