How to Trim a Cat's Nails

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

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lamps
• Styptic Powders
• Cat Nail Clippers
• Cat Toys
• Cat Treats

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

2. 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.

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

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

5. 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.

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

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

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

9. 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.

[frankielu]

on 4/23/2009 My cat hates having her nails trimmed, and fights so much that I was afraid I'd accidentally hurt her. Now I wait until she's in a deep sleep. I hold her in my lap and cut her nails, then put her right back in her bed. She's so sleepy that she doesn't even know I'm doing it, and she immediately goes back to sleep! No stress for either of us!

[merita]

on 11/1/2008 i have the tool to trim my cats nails,but my cat is very dangerous she bites me she has send me to the doctor several times, so i am afraid to try.

[Mskitty1]

on 10/18/2008 Cat Nails Trimming Version 2 - (Moderately - Extremely Difficult)

Step1
Get your cat accustomed to having his feet and nails handled; whenever you're snuggling, take a moment to massage each paw. HA-Good Luck!

Step 1A
Have a cell phone handy and 911 on speed-dial. This will help to keep scarring to a minimum by getting you to a plastic surgeon quickly.

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 (YOUR BLEEDING ESPECIALLY! Make SURE you do not cut into the quick).

Step3
Have everything ready before you start. Cats don't like restraint, especially for long periods of time, actually for ANY period of time.

Step4
Place your cat in your lap (ladies only), and gently hold one of his paws.

Step5

[daelin914]

on 9/1/2008 One thing that I found that cats love is towels. If you're having difficulty getting your cat to sit still when you do this, wrap your cat in a towel (even one that's slightly warm from the dryer) and he will be a bit more at ease. I have to hold mine in a towel on the couch because otherwise he will squirm away. It also helps to extend the claws on the paw by sticking your thumb on the pads of the paw and squeezing it with the index finger on the other side. Mine growls at me, but he gets a cat treat when he's done which generally lets him forgive me a few minutes later.

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.