It’s crucial to regularly trim your cat’s nails to maintain their health. If they are not regularly maintained, nails can actually grow into and curl beneath the paw pads, causing infection and discomfort.
Even while most cats scratch to prevent this, it’s still important to sometimes check the nails because long, sharp nails can significantly damage your furniture and your lap. Ideally, cat nails should be clipped every three to six weeks.
Even though it could seem daunting, if you and your cat are careful and patient, you should be able to complete a nail care session without too much difficulty.
Before beginning
Get your cat used to being handled before you trim its nails. As a result, your cat will be less stressed and you won’t get bitten or scratched.
For tasks like nail trimming, adult cats often take longer to get used to being handled, especially if the cat has had unpleasant experiences in the past. The circumstance will be adapted to more swiftly by kittens. In any case, move slowly and with patience.
What you need
- Clippers or trimmers
- Scribe pen
Kittens’ tiny nails are simple to trim with human nail clippers. You will need cat nail trimmers, though, for adult cats and older kittens. A few different types of cat nail trimmers are available in pet supply stores. Owners frequently opt for nail trimmers with a spring-hinge or a pair of scissors. Others prefer the variety with a blade that resembles a guillotine. It could take some trial and error to find the one that works best for you and your cat.
Test out your new cat nail trimmers on some dry spaghetti after purchasing them to get a feel for how they cut.
Getting Your Cat Ready
Maybe just after feeding, when your cat is relaxed and ready to begin. Invite your cat to sit on your lap as soon as it seems comfortable.
Next, carefully take a cat’s paw from it.
If your cat is too clumsy for you to manage when clipping its nails, you might need help from someone else. Start by picking one paw.
The next step is to pick up one of the cat’s paws, increasing the amount by a little every day and keeping sessions to no longer than a few minutes. To stretch the nail, try lastly softly squeezing between its toes. Don’t forget to compliment your cat on staying silent. Reverse your progress if your cat starts becoming anxious or hostile.
You can proceed once your cat is willing to let you display each of its claws one at a time while making no fuss.
Put the nail clippers to use.
It’s time to accustom your cat to having its nails clipped. When you are gently cuddling someone, do this. Don’t move the trimmers at first; simply let your cat inspect and smell them. Move the trimmers slowly while praising restraint.
After a few days of sessions, try lightly touching the trimmers to your cat’s paws. Try lifting up a paw and using the trimmers again after that. Remember to keep giving away gifts.
Your cat may need weeks or months to get ready for a nail trim. Every cat develops at their own rate, so keep that in mind. Kittens might be prepared even in a few days.
Clipping cat nails
Once your cat seems at ease being handled and around the nail clippers, it’s time to start trimming a few nails. If you only have one nail cut the first time, that’s okay. Going too rapidly can stress out your cat and also result in you getting bitten or scratched.
- Start by laying a towel or blanket on your lap to shield it from your cat’s claws as you are trimming them. You should always have styptic powder or a styptic pen handy in case you accidentally cut the cuticle. This product, which is used to stop bleeding, is available at pet supply stores.
- Choose a time when your cat is relaxed. Every day, spend a few minutes doing this while gradually adding more paws.
- The majority of cats have pink tips on their white nails. The pink “quick,” also known as the cuticle, contains blood vessels and nerves. You shouldn’t cut this area because it can bleed and pain. Find the region where the pink and white portions meet.
- Squeeze the paw gently to uncover the nail. Cut quickly, one or two millimeters away from the pink area of the nail’s white section. Make an effort to keep your cat from jumping off your lap.
- Stop, give your cat a treat, and give it a compliment. If your cat is not agitated or tense, move on and repeat it on the next paw.
How to Avoid Problems for Your Cat While Getting Trimmed
If you accidentally cut too close to the pink part of the nail, your cat may feel some minor discomfort and the nail may bleed. Apply the styptic pen or powder to the area until the bleeding stops. If your cat seems upset throughout the nail-trimming procedure, stop. You can try once more the next day. If it doesn’t run away, give it a tiny treat. Having someone hold your cat while you focus on the nails can be less complicated. If you hear hissing or snarling, it’s important to halt to avoid getting hurt.
If you are still uncomfortable with the treatment or if you are still having trouble getting your cat to stay still for nail trimming, seek professional assistance. Consider taking your cat to the vet or a groomer for routine nail trimming.
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