How to Trim a Cat's Nails

By eHow Pets Editor

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If your cat has the uncharming habit of using nails inappropriately on you or the furniture, a regular trimming can help.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Lamps
Styptic Powders
Cat Nail Clippers
Cat Toys
Cat Treats

Step1

Get your cat accustomed to having his feet and nails handled; whenever you're snuggling, take a moment to massage each paw.

Step2

Turn on a strong light. Trimming your cat's nails in good light will help you see the quick ' the part of the nail containing nerves and blood vessels. Cutting into the quick is painful and will cause bleeding.

Step3

Have everything ready before you start. Cats don't like restraint, especially for long periods.

Step4

Place your cat in your lap, and gently hold one of his paws.

Step5

Unsheath your cat's retractable nails by placing your index finger underneath one toe and your thumb over the top of the same toe. Squeeze your fingers together gently. As you do this, you'll see the toenail protrude; it will remain extended until you release your hold.

Step6

Trim each nail just beyond the point where it starts to curve downward, using pet nail trimmers specifically designed for cats.

Step7

Start gradually, clipping a few nails in one sitting, using positive reinforcement such as petting or treats as you clip.

Step8

If bleeding occurs, apply pressure to the tip of the nail using styptic powder or a substitute such as baby powder or cotton balls.

Step9

Work up to trimming the nails on all four paws in one sitting.

Tips & Warnings

Cats usually have five nails on each front foot and four on the rear, although they can be born with extra toes. The nails on extra toes tend to become ingrown and should be trimmed more frequently.
This is often a job for two people ' one to hold the cat and one to trim the nails.
Avoid punishment or negative reinforcement if your cat protests the pedicure ' cats generally don't respond well to this approach. Try again when you sense that your cat might be more cooperative.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 As soon as you adopt a new kitten, begin trimming his or her nails on a regular basis. If you trim every 2 weeks or so, your kitten will become accustomed to the attention and snuggling and will learn that it's a painless, relaxing activity. If there's been little or no nail growth after those two weeks, still pick your kitten up and pretend to trim the nails to help him or her get used to the sensation. My two cats are pros at nail-trimming; my 17-pound giant Siamese mix actually tends to fall asleep during the process with his head flopped over my arm.

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 My cat didn't like having its nails trimmed, so one day I sat next to him and trimmed my own nails - taking my time, showing him what I was doing. He was fascinated. After I was finished I took one paw and then carefully trimmed each nail. He loved it. If I had painted my nails he would have wanted that as well. ;)

Anonymous said

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on 3/11/2006 My cat is very aggressive and doesn't like to be held all the time, so every time she would fall asleep I would lay down beside her and rub her paws like a massage. I did this for a while and when I wanted to clip her nails I waited till she was sleeping and I started to rub her paws like usual and started to clip gently and rub her paws in between nails. This worked amazingly and she became more affectionate and will now sit on my lap when I clip her nails.

Anonymous said

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on 1/25/2006 Every time I have to cut my cat's nails, I get my mom to help. One of us puts the cat in our lap while the other one is gently petting her. When we see that my cat is trying to escape, we just pet her some more and she starts making purring sounds. It's so much easier than doing it by yourself! And so much faster!

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 By far the best way to trim your kitten or cat's nails is while they sleep. Ideally, if you get your cat while he is still a kitten, make handing the paws part of the petting ritual. Begin to press on the pad to express the claws, just as you would if you were trimming. When kittens are asleep, they usually won't wake up or object to this. Then, next time, actually clip the claws after you express them by pressing on the pad, being careful not to cut into the quick (pink) part, as that will hurt and wake the cat. If you can only get a few claws done before your cat wakes, don't sweat it. Do the rest another time. It is far better not to force it. And always pet the cat and tell him what a good kitty he is afterward, even if he is still asleep, which hopefully is the case!

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