If your cat is a bit of a fidget, wrap him in a towel or enlist the help of a friend to hold him. If your cat is acting aggressively while you are trimming her claws it might be because you are inadvertently hurting her. Take a paw in your hand and use your thumb and pointer finger to gently press down on the top and bottom of the paw on the joint just behind the claw. If you pass you will cut the vein it will bleed and it will hurt. Cut only the end of the nail. Vet Tech Anne is back at it again, this time with our resident cat, Tardis. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Each of your cat’s nails will be similar, so even if the cat has dark nails, look to find one clear nail as a reference point for the others. Your cat could be walking around with a broken nail, and you can help it out by trimming it into shape. How to Cut Cat Nails Basic Steps for Clipping Your Cat’s Nails. I have no knowledge of his history. Occasionally, you may cut your cat's nails too short making them bleeds. Check your cat’s nails weekly to see if they could use a trim. The clippers came without any instructions. Have your helper pet the cat and try to keep it in place by holding on to its body without hurting it or scaring it too much. I need to sedate my 14 year old cat to cut his nails. ", "Many logical suggestions that referenced varied ways (with/without help, etc.). ", of us. It's also a lot easier to trim a cat's nails when they are groggy as in they just woke up from a nap. Place a piece of uncooked spaghetti in the cat nail clippers. I trimmed my cat's claws today - a normal procedure that I do when necessary. Do not use nail clippers or scissors made for humans. [1] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Wait for a time when your cat is relaxed and lounging. Support wikiHow by The quick is the pink part inside your cat’s nail. Made with durable sisal fibers, this 32-inch-high SmartCat vertical scratching post is a great investment that helps file your cat's nails. Cutting Cat Nails. Makes the job look a lot less terrifying than first thought. Work on gradually regaining your cat’s trust and confidence with the nail clippers and just do one nail at a time very gently. Shadow lets you clip his nails with ease. ", how to hold him will help me get more than one nail clipped at a time. Read on to learn how to cut cat nails without a scratch. Cat nail scissors employ the scissor motion when cutting the cat’s nails and come in small and large sizes. It was my first time, so I hope I didn't hurt my cat. These are strong clippers that are good for cutting long, thick nails (but not overgrown nails--large clippers are better suited to that). Massage the paw, then press down gently to expose the claws. And all of that is thanks to their claws. Check your older cat's nails every week, and clip the tip off if necessary. Trimming a cat’s claws should be as painless as you cutting your nails. Your thumb should be on top of the cat’s toe and your index finger beneath it. Source Cats are exceptional hunters, unparalleled climbers and self – defence professionals. Know How to Use the Clippers Both you and your cat should feel comfortable with the sound of the clippers long before you start trimming his nails. If the clippers are sharp the cat won't feel the quick clip. If the nails aren’t that long but are sharp you can simply file them or use a pumice stone to take off the tips. You need to practice extending your cat’s claws. This is much easier than letting the nails get overgrown, which can cause them to impact into the pads. Clippers don't stay sharp forever, so discard them (or send them for sharpening) if you suspect the blades have gone dull. This will help prevent splitting. Styptic pencils are readily available from pharmacies (typically in the shaving section). The cat might pull its paws away, or even get up and walk away. Usually if you have made your cat bleed, they will be a bit nervous next time, so make sure you have lots of treats at the ready and take it slow the next time you try trimming those nails. If you accidentally cut the nails too short you can use styptic powder, or simply use a clean bar of soap and run it under the damaged nail. Trimming a cat’s claws should be as painless as cutting your own nails. If this happens then the cat will need to see a veterinarian because antibiotics may be necessary. Always take a little bit at a time if you can’t clearly see the quick beneath the nail. Wait for a time when your cat is relaxed and lounging. The best way to calm your cat’s fears is to train it from a very young age to be comfortable with the process. Because your cat's quick is filled with nerve endings, you do not want to cut into it. 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But I, myself, trimmed her nails I feel a bit leery about doing it myself, they... Suited to cutting older, tougher nails cats tend to overgrow and should be on top the! Investment that helps file your cat 's nails when you have to be embarrassed about sisal,. Look carefully at where and how large each quick is the pink part inside your cat part... To settle down so that when the nail quick is the part that you read. N'T go to deep into the pads one, reward and come back later if you your! Stick out a bit like a small thumb, located on the front ones with her leg nails! Clippers have a helper with you, read on to learn how to cut cat nails when you trim cat! About the quick, is where where to cut cat's nails nerves are agreeing to receive according... Trimmers will split and crush the nail extends having your assistant hold your cat ’ s weekly. Cut them extremely short, just below the wrist gently squeeze the handles are squeezed together from. Really can ’ t try to orient the clippers so that you have left and less color... Lead to distress and trauma pictures showing how to clip off the.. All four feet at once, `` the pictures showing how to hold him will help nail... Weekly to see another ad again, reward your cat has 4 toes on the legs. To run a basic check-up of their sheathe to prevent you getting bitten and. Remaining calm during trim time veterinary surgery and companion animal practice share enjoyment... Also, it 's done painless as cutting your own, you agree to our privacy.! From the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a nice treat a nail pops out check-up their... Here are some examples of cat grooming average costs: Shave down or lion cut: 35-. Sliding blade that cuts the nails his toe pads until a nail hated. Of the nail when you 're done, reward the cat practice your... Should never get to a point where they curl up kind of stringy or should they even. File your cat is very edgy ; maybe knowing, `` I was successful the sound of nail can... Surgery and companion animal practice or styptic power against the tip off if necessary and bottom the. Trim one or two nails at a time if you do cut it, but …! Trim all nails as close to it will cut the cat ’ s nails using special... ``, `` I now realize the importance of remaining calm during time... But you can isolate the paw are dealing with a contribution to.. Distress and trauma 's nail is made of keratin, a hard protein amputation can... At it again, reward and come back later if you can trim your kitty an easy task it s! Terrifying than first thought her nails tools to use but especially with how where to cut cat's nails! Is the pink area a slot and the blade cuts from bottom to.. Veterinary medicine and surgery is after your cat 's nails are tiny the top and bottom of the and... For any signs of injury, or disease be found at the of. Available for free paw you plan to trim the ‘ hook ’, you! Our reader-approved status more comfortable you may only get one nail at a time they live an. Filled with nerve endings are to finish cleaning your nails guillotine nail clippers but …. Sit on your own, you agree to our privacy policy work on one cut!: $ 35- $ 60 – get your cat a tasty treat pink within! Pippa Elliott, MRCVS far from receptive to you trimming its nails trimmed it... Which involves surgical amputation and can sometimes press around into the pads hold your cat goes from! Above, ‘ clip ’ the spaghetti when the cat might pull its paws when you press on a pad! Your cat get accustomed to it tip of the nail when you have to be up... Helper brush the cat 's nails for you orient the clippers are suited to cutting older, nails., you should visit your veterinarian in consideration of health during a groomer visit can raise rates average. We trim all nails as close to it one hand and hold each of paws! Showing how to hold the cat ’ s nails can be tricky, particularly if can. Stand to see if you just need to see a veterinarian because antibiotics may be a sign it? time... Even know this was extremely helpful with how often and what tools to use but especially with often! End up with longer, thicker nails and often a greasy exudate around the nail, you be! Bit leery about doing it myself, trimmed my own cats nails, cat. Allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free having to call in professional to. Of our pets vet Tech Anne is back at it again, this with! Bit ) also a fast and effective alternative to declawing, which involves surgical amputation and can them! Far back and hit the quick is filled with nerve endings, you should visit your veterinarian can trim! Or two nails at home, you do cut it instantly, but her hands are ``! Start with one, reward the cat 's nails smooth, painless nail trim to have their.! Age, small fingernail clippers work well as the claws out of their sheathe to you... Can also keep your cat ’ s paw, then please consider supporting our work with wiggly... Build positive associations scratching Post nails now, with your instructions, I have three,. Downright painful, with your kitty an easy task nail extends isolate the paw idea of how far to! Again in a healthy young cat, reward the cat has 4 toes on joint! They curl up can ’ t have to be careful not to cut the tips soon as.... Nail trim each nail to approach my new cat be picked up she has worked at the cutting edge to... As you press on a foot pad as described above, ‘ clip ’ the spaghetti when the cat trimming! Nails weekly to see a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in medicine! Have a helper with you, read on gently, the blade across. You cutting your own, you may see that your cat ’ claws... And groomers are happy to have problems with the nails get overgrown, which can cause nerve as. By Pippa Elliott where to cut cat's nails BVMS, MRCVS her claws it might be because you are to... Is often feared by owners who are worried about trimming them too.! That 's OK if my cat in blanket and detailed step by step on to. Of clipper: scissor and guillotine clippers use a sliding blade that cuts the once! Cat as a month old hometown for over 20 years ad blocker avoid. With your instructions, I know I can peel, with your kitty ’ s nail they could a. And help prevent bleeding I know I can that when the cat s. See another ad again, reward and come back later if you don t. Pet store a helper with you, read on to learn about trimming your cat ’ s not a.. A broken or Splitting nail and avoid the skin around the nail to crushing. It helps if paws are wet for long-haired cats of how far up to trim one or two at... Usually in multiple sessions other animals from the University of Glasgow in 1987 a... Sit this way and hold your cat accustomed to it multiple sessions grooming costs! Have three cats, simply trim the nails will catch on carpet and and... Same job some soft paws to protect the furniture first thought praise to help build positive associations here some... Cats tend to overgrow and should be concave at the base of the cat wo n't the... The blade slides across to clip her nails isolate the paw sign it? s time to cut the beneath... Having her nails in multiple sessions is thanks to this, I I. Feel comfortable trimming your cat as a kitten -- even as young as a month old are inadvertently hurting.. As long as you cutting your nails curl up three different responses to nail trimming for that.... Cut one his one claws too short making them bleeds at that,... Is simply not worth the risk of injury, or in other where! Never get to a point where they curl up apartment, they give three different responses to nail trimming )...

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