Noah Sinclair
Trimming your cat's nails is a great way to prevent them from splitting or breaking, and it's also a fast, safe, and more humane alternative to declawing. While cats' temperaments vary, most need to be held firmly but gently to ensure no one gets hurt. It's common to only cut the front claws, but it's worth checking the rear claws in case they've gotten too long. If you're cutting your cat's nails by yourself, try resting the cat in the crook of one arm while holding one paw with the other hand. You can also wrap the cat in a towel or blanket and extend one arm or leg at a time. Before you start, make sure you have the right equipment, such as nail clippers designed for cats and styptic powder, cornstarch, or a dry bar of soap to stop any bleeding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to position the cat | Hold the cat on its back with its rear on your lap or in the crook of your arm. |
| How to position the paw | Gently squeeze the top and bottom of the paw, on the joint just behind the claw to extend it. |
| How to identify the quick | The quick is the pink part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerve endings. |
| How to avoid cutting the quick | Position the trimmers halfway between the end of the quick and the claw. |
| How to stop bleeding | Apply pressure to the tip of the claw, dip the claw in styptic powder, cornstarch, or rub the nail across a dry bar of soap. |
| How to choose nail clippers | Choose between scissor clippers and guillotine clippers, with the former being better for beginners or for just snipping the tips. |
| How to make the cat comfortable | Wait until the cat is calm and relaxed, and give treats throughout the process. |
| How to prevent scratching | Wear long sleeves and cut-free gloves made for kitchen use. |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your cat by familiarising it with the clippers
If your cat is not used to having their paws handled, it is important to familiarise them with the clippers before attempting to cut their nails. This can be done in several ways, and it is important to take things slowly and pay attention to your cat's body language.
Firstly, get your cat accustomed to the presence of the nail clippers. Bring out the clippers and let your cat examine them. If they sniff the clippers, say "good" and give them a treat. Next, work the clippers with your fingers as if you are cutting the air, so that your cat gets accustomed to the sound. You can then cut something like raw spaghetti with the clippers, so your cat can hear the crunching sound, and reward them for staying calm.
You can also get your cat used to having their paws handled by touching their paws without getting a negative reaction. Pet your cat, and if they are content, run your hand down their leg to their wrist. Softly say "good" and give them a treat. Repeat this process once or twice if your cat is content. If they flinch, remove your hand, wait for them to relax, and then try again. Each session should be short, around a minute or less, and you should gradually increase the time you are able to hold their paw.
Once your cat is comfortable with you holding their paw, gently press the middle paw pad to extend their claws. Say "good" and give them a treat. You can then start to work on extending the nail, touching the clippers to the nail, and finally clipping. Extend one nail, reward your cat, and then touch the clippers to the nail. After your cat presents their paw, extend one nail and gently touch the clippers to it. Reward your cat after each nail extension. Gradually increase the time your cat is comfortable with you holding their paw, and if they try to pull away, let them.
It is important to remember that this process can take weeks or even months, so consistency is key. Lots of short, easy sessions will help your cat overcome their fears of the nail-trimming process.
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Choose the right nail clippers for your cat
When choosing nail clippers for your cat, it's important to consider both your comfort and that of your cat. Some styles of nail clippers work better for small cats, while others are more suitable for larger cats. For example, the PATPET nail grinder may be too large for smaller cats but works well for larger cats when used at the right angle.
The comfort of the user is also important. Some nail clippers may be uncomfortable for people with larger hands, so it's worth looking for features such as gripped handles to prevent slipping.
It's also important to choose nail clippers with sharp blades to prevent your cat's nails from being crushed, cracked, or frayed. Scissor-style clippers are often better adjusted for thicker claws, while guillotine-blade clippers are more suitable for thinner claws.
If you're nervous about cutting your cat's nails too short, a nail grinder may be a good option as it only takes off a small amount of the nail at a time. However, these can be loud and may scare or irritate your cat.
Some recommended nail clippers for cats include:
- Pet Republique nail clippers
- Safari nail trimmers
- Shiny Pet Nail Clippers for Small Animals
- Resco Cat Nail Clippers
- Pet Boussa Cat Nail Clipper
- Hepper's Cat Nail Clipper Set
- Mr. Pen Cat Nail Clipper
- ZIVACATE Cat Nail Clipper
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How to position your cat and its paws
When you've found a position that's comfortable for you and your cat, pick up one of their paws. Try to hold the paw in a natural position for your cat, without folding it too far back or forward or bending their leg in an awkward way.
Some cat parents cradle their cat in the crook of their non-dominant arm, while others can get their cat to recline back against their stomach while sitting. You can also let your cat lie across your lap or stand up while you pick up one paw at a time. There's no right or wrong way as long as you're both comfortable and you can safely access their nails.
Once you have your ideal position, regularly get your cat situated in that manner so it’s familiar when it’s time to trim their nails. You can also try wrapping them in a cat towel like a burrito, with only one paw outside the burrito at a time.
Hold your cat’s paw gently, but firmly, to extend the nail. Make sure none of your cat’s fur is in the way. Using your non-dominant hand, place your forefinger on your kitty’s paw pad and your thumb on the top of the toe. Squeeze gently to extend the nail, and take note of where the quick is so that you know where not to cut. The quick is the pink part of your cat’s nail where blood vessels and nerves are located. If you cut it accidentally while trimming the nails, it can cause pain and bleeding.
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Avoid the 'quick' area to prevent pain and bleeding
Trimming a cat's nails can be stressful for both the cat and the owner. One of the biggest concerns is accidentally cutting into the quick, which can be painful and cause bleeding. The quick is the pink part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. Since most cats have clear nails, the pink is usually easy to spot and avoid.
To avoid cutting into the quick, only trim the white part of the nail. Cut at a 45-degree angle, taking off just a few millimetres at a time, especially if it's your first time. It's better to start slowly and work up to cutting more in future sessions than to accidentally cut the quick and cause trauma for your cat.
If the quick is not visible, take extra caution and cut very near the tip of the nail. Using a small flashlight can help you identify where the quick ends. It's also important to use sharp clippers to ensure a clean, comfortable cut. Clippers with a safety guard, such as ConairPRO cat nail clippers, can help prevent cutting nails too short.
If you do accidentally cut into the quick, styptic powder can be used to stop the bleeding. Cornstarch can also work in a pinch, but styptic powder is more efficient and includes benzocaine to relieve pain.
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What to do if your cat gets upset or bleeding occurs
Trimming a cat's nails can be a stressful experience for both the cat and the owner. Cats are sensitive to their owner's energy, so staying calm is important. If your cat gets upset, it is best to stop the trimming session and try again later. You can also try to calm your cat by using a product like Stress Stopper by Spirit Essences, which can be applied topically to your cat's fur or sprayed onto a brush. A Thundershirt can also be used to calm your cat by applying gentle pressure.
If your cat gets very upset, you may need to wrap them in a towel or blanket to restrict their movement and protect yourself from scratching or biting. This is sometimes called making a "kitty burrito". However, this can be stressful for the cat, so it is best to only do this if necessary.
If bleeding occurs, remain calm and apply gentle pressure to the tip of the claw if your cat will allow it. You can also try using styptic powder or rubbing the nail with a bar of soap to stop the bleeding. Monitor your cat closely to ensure the bleeding has stopped. If it doesn't stop, contact your veterinarian.
It is important to remember that trimming your cat's nails is a necessary part of responsible cat care. If you are unable to do it yourself, you can ask a veterinarian or experienced pet groomer to do it for a fee.
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Frequently asked questions
Get your cat accustomed to the clippers by placing them next to their food bowl while they eat. Hold the clippers in your hand and let your cat sniff them. Give them treats throughout the process.
Hold your cat on its back with its rear on your lap. Hold the clippers in one hand and your cat's paw in the other. Gently squeeze the top and bottom of your cat's paw, on the joint just behind the claw to extend it. If your cat doesn't like this position, hold it in the crook of your arm instead.
Use nail clippers designed specifically for cats. You can choose between scissor clippers and guillotine clippers. Scissor clippers usually come in small and large sizes, with small "nippers" being better for newcomers to nail clipping.
If you cut into the pink part of the nail, known as the "quick", apply a little pressure to the tip of the claw and dip it into styptic powder, cornstarch, or rub it against a dry bar of soap to stop the bleeding.
