Isla Bennett
Cats are known to dislike having their feet touched, but nail trimming is essential to keep them from accidentally scratching you or damaging your furniture with their sharp claws. The process can be made easier by getting your cat used to having its paws handled and trimming one or two nails at a time. You can also try calming products like CBD, flower essences, or a Thundershirt. Playing calming music or using treats and toys can also help distract your cat and make the experience more positive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail Clippers | Human nail clippers are safe to use, but plier clippers give more control. Ensure the blade is sharp. |
| Cat's Comfort | Wrap the cat in a towel or blanket to restrict movement and reduce stress. |
| Distractions | Use treats, toys, or catnip to distract the cat and reduce anxiety. |
| Music | Play calming music, especially music designed for cats, to soothe the cat. |
| CBD | Administer CBD treats or oil to calm the cat before trimming. |
| Flower Essences | Apply topical flower essences, such as Bach's Rescue Remedy, to calm the cat. |
| Thundershirt | Use a Thundershirt to apply pressure and ease anxiety. |
| Massage | Massage the skin over the cat's neck to relax them. |
| Training | Train the cat to get accustomed to the clippers by letting them sniff and examine the tool. |
| Lighting | Ensure the room is well-lit. |
| Location | Choose a location where the cat feels most at ease. |
| Routine | Establish a routine by starting when the cat is a kitten, getting them used to handling their paws. |
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What You'll Learn
Get your cat used to having its paws touched
Cats are naturally cautious and their paws are full of nerve endings, making them sensitive to even the slightest pressure, vibration, or temperature change. This sensitivity is necessary for cats to keep their paws safe, such as pulling away when the ground is too hot. Therefore, many cats dislike having their paws touched and will need to be trained to accept it.
If you have a kitten, it is best to start handling their claws gently and rubbing them softly from an early age so they get used to the sensation. You can also try holding one paw carefully between your fingers and rewarding them with their favourite treat. If your cat remains calm, squeeze the paw slightly so one nail extends, then release their paw and give them a treat. Repeat this routine several times, and your cat will soon look forward to having its paw held.
If you have an adult cat, it will take longer for them to accept you touching their paws, and even longer for an already fearful cat. However, it is still possible to train them by developing their trust and confidence in you. First, withhold your attention and affection until they are craving it. Then, begin to give extremely small doses of affection, gradually increasing the amount but always ending the session with the cat wanting more. This way, the cat will not end the session on their terms.
You can also try clicker training. Start by showing a treat in your hand, covering it with a sticky note, and letting the cat figure out the puzzle. Reward the cat when they reach out and touch you, then try to get them to leave their paw on your hand for longer by extending the time before rewarding them. Eventually, your cat will learn to enjoy being touched and handled.
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Use treats to reward calm behaviour
Rewarding your cat with treats for calm behaviour during nail-trimming sessions is a great way to help them associate the procedure with positive experiences. This method is especially useful if you've had trouble trimming your cat's nails in the past, as it can help to gradually build trust and get your cat used to the sensation.
Before you begin, it's a good idea to introduce your cat to nail clipping when they are a kitten. This way, they will become familiar with the sensation of having their paws touched and handled. If you have an older cat, you can still get them used to the process by gently patting and holding their paws daily.
When you're ready to trim their nails, choose a quiet room where your cat can sit comfortably on your lap, facing away from you. Take one of their paws in your hand and gently massage and press the pad until a nail extends. If your cat remains calm, carefully trim the sharp tip of the nail, release their paw, and give them a treat immediately after. It's important to only cut the white part of the claw, avoiding the pink part known as the "quick", where the nerves and blood vessels are located.
If your cat didn't notice the trimming, you can move on to the next nail. However, it's recommended to not trim more than two claws in one sitting until your cat is comfortable with the process. Be sure to reward your cat with a special treat after each successful trimming session.
In addition to treats, you can also give your cat CBD before nail trimming to help soothe and calm them. CBD interacts with the receptors in your cat's endocannabinoid system (ECS), promoting overall well-being and reducing stress without causing any psychoactive effects.
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Play calming music in the background
Playing calming music in the background can help ease your cat's anxiety when cutting their nails. It has been shown that music can calm cats' nerves, just as it does ours. There are even options for calming music designed specifically for cats. You can also try playing music for cats, which has been shown to help reduce anxiety in cats.
To keep your cat calm, it is important to minimise distractions. Be sure to silence your phone, ask people to speak quietly, and turn off loud music. Avoid any surprises, such as unexpected visitors or loud noises.
In addition to calming music, there are other ways to keep your cat relaxed during nail-trimming sessions. For example, you can try giving them CBD treats or mixing CBD oil into their food 30 minutes beforehand. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that interacts with the receptors in your cat's endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Flower essences can also have a dramatic calming effect on cats. For instance, Bach's Rescue Remedy is a commonly used combination essence. You can also try Stress Stopper by Spirit Essences, which can be applied topically to your cat's fur or sprayed onto a brush several times before the nail trim.
It is also important to get your cat used to having their paws touched and handled. Gently rub and hold their paws, focusing on one paw at a time. If your cat remains calm, squeeze the paw slightly to extend one nail, then immediately release their paw and give them a treat.
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Try a Thundershirt to ease anxiety
Trimming your cat's nails can be a stressful experience for both you and your cat. One way to ease your cat's anxiety during nail trimming is to use a Thundershirt. The Thundershirt® for Cats is a vest that applies gentle, constant pressure, similar to swaddling a baby. While there hasn't been extensive research into the effect of Thundershirts on cats, they have been shown to calm anxious dogs, and some owners have reported similar effects on their cats.
If you're considering using a Thundershirt on your cat, it's important to be aware of how much handling your cat can tolerate. Putting on the vest may be stressful for some cats, so it's recommended to introduce it gradually and offer treats to create a positive association. You should also be cautious and avoid injury to yourself during the process.
The Thundershirt can help reduce anxiety during nail trimming, but it's essential to get your cat accustomed to the sensation of having their paws touched. Start by gently patting and holding your cat's paws when they are a kitten, and continue this daily if they are older. You can then gradually move on to squeezing the paw pads gently between your fingers to extend the nails.
To use the Thundershirt during nail trimming, follow the steps to get your cat used to having their paws handled. Once they are calm and accustomed to the Thundershirt, you can proceed with trimming one or two nails at a time to minimize stress. Remember to always use sharp clippers to avoid hurting your cat's nails, and be careful not to trim too far back to avoid cutting into the quick, which can be painful and cause bleeding.
By using a combination of the Thundershirt and gradual desensitization techniques, you can help ease your cat's anxiety during nail trimming and make the experience more comfortable for both you and your feline friend.
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Use cat nail clippers with safety guards
Using cat nail clippers with safety guards can help to keep your cat calm during the nail-trimming process. Safety guards are designed to prevent over-cutting, reducing the risk of causing pain or bleeding. This can be a less stressful experience for both you and your cat.
There are several cat nail clippers with safety guards available on the market. For example, the ClipPort Cat Nail Clipper features a unique round hole guard that guides the cutting edge to a safe range of the nail. This prevents over-cutting and the risk of pain or bleeding. The handle is made of silicone, providing a comfortable and non-slip grip. The Gonicc Pet Nail Clippers also feature a safety guard, which blocks one side of the clippers so that your cat's nails can only project a short distance into the space between the cutting blades.
When using nail clippers with safety guards, it is still important to be careful not to cut your cat's nails too short. Cutting down to the quick (where the blood vessels and nerves are located) will be painful for your cat and may cause bleeding. If this happens, you can use styptic powder or an unscented bar of soap to stop the bleeding.
To further minimise stress and keep your cat calm during the nail-trimming process, there are several techniques you can try. Playing with your cat, giving them their favourite toy or treat, or offering a catnip toy can help to relax them. You can also try draping a soft towel or blanket gently over their face so that they can't see the clippers, which may help to reduce anxiety.
In addition to using nail clippers with safety guards, you can also try giving your cat CBD before trimming their nails. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that interacts with the receptors in your cat's endocannabinoid system, helping to soothe and calm them.
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Frequently asked questions
Cats are creatures of habit, so it's important to get them used to the trimming process early on. Start by handling their paws and gently squeezing the paw pads when they are kittens. If your cat is older, you can still do this daily to get them used to the sensation.
Play with your cat and give them their favourite toy or treat. You can also talk or sing to them in a soft, calming voice. If they respond well to catnip, offer them a catnip toy.
Human nail clippers are safe to use, but plier clippers give you more control if your cat is tougher to handle. Make sure the blade is sharp—a dull blade may hurt your cat and cause bleeding.
First, apply gentle pressure on both sides of the joint behind the claw to expose the full claw. Then, carefully trim the sharp edge of the nail, being careful not to trim too far back. Only cut the sharp tip.
Try trimming just one or two nails at a time. You can also gently drape a soft towel or blanket over their face while holding them so they can't see the trimmers.
