Comments on: How to Trim a Cat's Nails

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.

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. ;)

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.

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!

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!

on 11/22/2005 I am a professional groomer. I would strongly suggest that you use cornstarch or flour on an area that has been trimmed to the quick, not baby powder. The fragrances and additives in baby powder can cause irritation to the open wound. Just apply a little cornstarch, press on the wound, and hold for 30 seconds. Your kitty will be fine!

on 11/22/2005 My cat loves me, and she lets me play with her paws, but the minute I tried to trim her nails - forget it! I have never trimmed my cats nails, and she is 9 years old. But, I noticed that her nails sometimes cause her discomfort in walking when they get too long, so my mom taught me how to do this trick:
Find a pillow case, and something that sets high and is small to place the cat on (like a tray table or a kennel). Place your kitty in the pillow case, rear end first - so that her head is sticking out the opening. This makes it harder for her to use her back paws to back out of the situation. I find it easier to position myself behind the cat, so she doesn't fall off the kennel or table. Now as cruel as this sounds, it's not. Take the pillow case and gently cover her face, and slowly and gently pull out one paw at a time and clip the nails using eHow's instructions. Don't be too forceful, but keep trying, eventually kitty will let you have her paw. While you do this, talk to kitty in a high, sweet voice telling her what a good kitty she is. Finish the last paw and uncover her head, take her out and place her on the floor. Don't let her bolt on her own, she could injure herself from jumping. Make sure you try to pet her, give her treats before she leaves. The first time I did this my mother cut the nails and the cat hid in the bedroom for a few hours mad about it. This last time I did it on my own (not to mention the only time I have every done it), and I gave my kitty treats and she was just fine. I think she is even proud! I think the idea of the pillow case came from a veterinarian that said a cat will be so scared of why they are covered up and what's going on, they won't notice what you're doing.

on 11/22/2005 I found using baby nail clippers quicker and easier to use, and with the shape of the cat's nails - you can't cut down to the quick.

on 11/22/2005 Well when I clip my cat's toe nails sometimes he gets fearful. If you hold him on his side he seems to be less scared, which means no biting. Don't hit the cat, or swat him for biting, work nicely and let him go after your done. Put some catnip down for him, too.

on 11/22/2005 I put my cat in my lap and turn a little space heater on right next to me. This gets her sleepy and she relaxes in my lap. It makes it very easy to trim her claws when she's like this. I usually can get all of them trimmed in only a few minutes!

on 11/22/2005 As a kitten, Captain would fuss a lot when I tried to trim his nails. Then a friend told me to hold him by the scruff of the neck (gently) with my teeth, just like his mother would have held him. Amazingly, it works really well. It gives me two free hands (to steady his paws and the clippers). He also became much more affectionate!

on 11/22/2005 I'm actually sort of mean. I take him and blindfold him, because he will try to get away if he sees the clippers. I pet him gently to try to calm him down (because he will still be scared). I put him on his back in my lap and hold out his paw, bring out the claws, and trim away. Sometimes I even put on music, because he has great taste. He loves Guns N' Roses. The music floods out the noise of the trimming. He tends to jump when he hears the click. I'm not entirely mean, but I can be when I just want to hurry up and get it done.

on 11/22/2005 While it's true that cats can trim their own claws (it's called scratching), we've found that by trimming the cat's claws regularly, they almost never scratch the furniture. This has proved true for half a dozen cats that we've owned over the years.

on 11/22/2005 I give my cats Laxaire (Vaseline works, too) right after trimming their nails. It took a few times, but I always showed them the treat when I got out the trimmers, and now they come running to have their nails clipped.