Take hold of a paw and gently squeeze one toe from the top and bottom to extend the claw. This is likely because some cats wear down their rear nails naturally as they run and climb. Then take the paw, gently massage it until the claw appears, and clip them one at a time. Subscriber Cat nail trimmers come in several different styles: Pliers or scissors style: This style of cat nail clippers looks similar to wire cutters or miniature hedge clippers. DO NOT cut close to the pink or red tinge at the end of the claw. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com. Hold your cat's paw in the other hand and gently squeeze it to extend the nails from their resting retracted position. Cats dislike being pinned down. Because nail grinders make noise and vibrate, some cats might be more bothered by a grinder than regular nail clippers. Clipping a cat’s claws can be an awkward task, particularly if your cat gets restless or lashes out when held. The back paws each have four claws and no dewclaws. It is going to bleed a little if you accidentally cut the quick which contains the blood vessels and the nerves. Called polydactyl, cats with extra toes also have extra nails, so make sure you find and trim them all. Most cats have clear nails, so it's easy to see the quick inside (the pink part in the center of the nail) and avoid cutting it. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to make your life easier. It will mostly be clear, but a few millimeters into the claw (right after the curve), you will see it begin to get cloudly on the bottom side. Learn more. When you're done, pet and praise your cat, and offer some. Try putting the clippers in your cat’s bed so he’ll become more used to them. Grader recommends that you first desensitize your cat to having their paws touched before diving right into nail trimming. You might need to just clip the very tips of the rear nails. Play with your cat’s paws regularly and you can do this while she is awake or sleeping. Step 3 When you have a good view, position the clipper at least several millimeters away from the end of the quick. A classic example of this style of nail clippers is Millers Forge Pet Nail Clipper. Some cats have extra toes. I just stop and continue later when she is asleep again. Play with your Cat’s Paws Regularly. Where do you cut your cats nails? Once the claw is out, have a look at it. All cats need their nails trimmed regularly. Only trim the hard, white part of the nail in front of the pink area. If your cat is acting aggressively while you are trimming her claws it might be because you are inadvertently hurting her. This will allow her to be accustomed to you touching her paws. "Quicked" nails hurt the cat and they can bleed a lot, but it is a minor injury. If you accidentally cut the quick (the vein that runs through the nail), a styptic pencil or powder can help stop the bleeding. Put a thick towel on your lap and gently restrain your cat there. How Often Can You Bathe A Cat With Fleas? They also grow continually. When cutting your cats nails you are looking to remove the tip of the nail. Trimming cats’ claws is quite beneficial, particularly when the procedure is started at the kitten stage. Hold your cat's paw in the other hand, gently squeezing it to extend the nails from their resting retracted position. Trim Cat’s Claws When Sleeping. The nails on the front paws are often longer than the nails on the rear paws. Then when it is time for nail clipping session, she is not so supprised to have her paws handled. If things go well, by the time the cat is fully awake, I’m half done with the claws. Ideally, it should be done once every 2-3 weeks to prevent claws from getting overgrown (how often to trim your cat’s claws can really depend on the cat – like human nails, all claws can grow at different rates depending on genes, diet and more). Follow these steps to clip your cat's nails: Hold the clippers in one hand. Additionally, as all cat owners know, longer nails lead to more accidental scratches on your skin and allow cats to inflict more damage if they decide to scratch your furniture. Start trimming. One at a time, isolate each nail, holding that toe between your thumb and index finger. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. If you try to hold your cat too tightly, they will likely struggle to escape. Don't forget to grind the dewclaws on the front paws. This painful experience will lead to behavior problems since it will leave your cat injured for life. You may try giving him some treats at the same time. The quick is the pink area within the nail where the nerves and blood vessels are, similar to the area underneath our nails. Cutting the quick hurts and causes the nail to bleed, sometimes a lot. Don't try to clip right up to the quick — leave a little buffer space in case your cat moves or you misjudge. If your cat likes sitting in your lap, try this position first. If your cat has long hair, move it out of the way and hold it down against the toe with your thumb and index finger. Grinders: Grinding tools like a Dremel can work wonderfully to slowly and gently file down a cat's claw. Dremel Cordless Pet Dog Nail Grooming and Grinding Tool, Millers Forge Stainless Steel Nail Clipper, Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Pet Nail Grooming Kit. Position the trimmers halfway between the quick and the claw, then squeeze the trimmers to clip off the nail. The quick can be seen quite easily, there's no reason to get too close to it. Repeat for each nail. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get more of it. Here are 8 tips to follow for trimming the claws of an aggressive cat: Trimming a cat’s claws should be as painless as cutting your own nails. Like human nails, a cat's nail is made of keratin, a hard protein. In cats, simply trim the ‘hook’ off the end. Follow these steps to clip your cat's nails: Follow these steps to grind your cat's nails: If you accidentally cut into the quick, your cat might yowl in pain and the nail will start bleeding. For example, a cat may become so curious inside a vet’s office which can make it easier for the vet to cut her nails very easily. Hold a paw in one hand and press a toe pad gently to extend the claw. Because your cat's quick is filled with nerve endings, you do not want to cut into it. Don't forget the dewclaws on the front paws. Place some treats on the countertop to distract them, then gently grasp their paw to trim the nails. Untrimmed nails can also pose a hazard to people and furniture, both of which can be injured by too-long claws. Place her in your lap and wait until she is comfortable. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. One person can be holding the cat and the other person can managing the feet," said Grader. But coming from experience, wrapping the cat may only make her more agitated and less likely to obey. The best way to trim a cat’s claws is by placing her in your lap and waiting until she … If you have all the equipment you need at home, your veterinarian can watch via video conference, offering tips and guidance. It may look easy and not all cats mind claw trimming, but it can be a huge problem if your cat hates it and gets aggressive. This will cause pain for your cat. You can cut tired cat’s claw vines to the ground and they will grow back stronger and lusher. Trimming cat nails is considered the humane alternative to declawing and an essential part of pet grooming. Like what you see here? Most veterinary staff and groomers are happy to provide a quick lesson. The earlier you can start nail trims at home, the better, as it will help you and your cat become more comfortable with the procedure. To restrain a cat in your lap, use your forearms draped over the cat's neck and hind-end to keep the cat in your lap. since. "Some cats have very sensitive feet and some of them don't like having their feet touched," she said. Claws are an important and natural feature of cats, and their first line of defence. A new environment, places she is not allowed to or things she is not used to, are the best distraction for your cat. Trimming your cat's claws will get easier with time! A cat's claws grow continuously, just like people's and dogs' nails. Contributor Bio. If a cat’s claws are not trimmed on a regular basis, they can curl in on themselves and grow into the foot pad, causing intense pain. Never try to give a pedicure right after a stressful experience or an energetic round of play. You may even have to restrain your cat to clip its nails but that should only be used as last option. Some cats will happily sit in your lap or on a table while you trim their claws but many require some form of restraint. Don’t try to cut them extremely short, just cut the tip off. There are many reasons why trimming is needed, for instance, protecting your furniture from damage and preventing deep scratches for humans. Spread your cat’s claws apart and slowly insert the claw between the clipper. Hold the paw, massage it slowly until the claw shows up, and start clipping them one at a time. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. While doing it at home, I put her on our bathroom counter and she gt so distracted by the new things she saw that she did not care mind trimming at all. Step 3. Don’t cut the quick of the claw either as this will lead to pain for the cat, making it more aggressive. Cats may freak out when they hear the sounds of the clipper or even when they see it. The Resco Deluxe Pet Nail Clipper is a guillotine-style clipper. When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. The trimmers include: Guillotine type; Guillotine type clippers is a circular enclosed tool through which the nail gets inserted. Cat’s claws are retractable, staying hidden until a cat needs to use them. This make her more comfortable and she may even enjoy it. Take some time to locate the quick of the nail before you cut it. "That usually helps stop the bleeding quite easily. Instead wait for her to calm down for a better opportunity. Declawing a cat is a permanent, crippling procedure that’s like cutting a human’s fingers to the first knuckle. Subscribe to our newsletter. So, if you want to play cat salon and trim your furry friend’s claws, we’ve got the necessary tips and tricks to make your cat claw concerns disappear and make the job a whole lot easier. "If the nails aren't trimmed regularly, what we see, particularly in cats, is that the nail grows all the way around and actually penetrates the paw pad," said Dr. Irit Grader, DVM, assistant professor of clinical primary care medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. This other tip may come handy also. Small, curved blade edges come together to clip the nail when you squeeze the handles together. You can also stroke him with the clippers to remove any fears from it. Once the cat is comfortable and you're comfortable handling the nails, go ahead and start clipping the nails.". You can trim the vine’s overflow from the top of a wall or a fence to prevent its weight from increasing and bringing down the structure. "If you can have two people with you that is great. How To Trim/Cut Cats Claws: Step By Step Tutorial - YouTube "If by accident you clip the quick, put a small amount of [styptic] powder on a Q-tip and just dab the end of the nail, applying a little bit of pressure to the nail," Grader said. Get her when she is relaxed and even sleepy. Start with one, reward and come back later if you or your pet is nervous. Trimming your cat’s claws may be necessary, but it is not an easy task for all cats or for all cat owners. Hold your cat's paw in the other hand and gently squeeze it to extend the nails from their resting retracted position. You can buy a small-sized pet nail trimmer that's suitable for both dogs and cats, or you can purchase cat-specific trimmers, which are generally small and ideally suited for trimming cat nails. To trim your cat's nails, sit the cat on its rear in your lap, facing away from you, and pick up one of its paws. Don't hesitate to ask your veterinarian or groomer to show you how to do it. But you can’t skip the nail trim. Use an appropriate claw clipper bought at the vet clinic or in a pet shop. "This causes injury, infection, and inflammation to the paw pad.". If you see a black dot on the claws’ tip, you should not cut … We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. You can trim your cat’s claws without the tears, scratches, or angry meowing. These are few things you should not do while trimming your cat’s nails: By following one or several of these tips above, you should be able to make nail clipping and happier and hassle-free experience for both the cat and yourself. Embrace the Adjustment Period We hope you found this article helpful for executing nail trims at home while creating a positive experience for your furry friend. One of the easiest ways to cut the cat’s claws is when it is sleeping. Repeat for each nail. One at a time, isolate each nail, holding that toe between your thumb and index finger. Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. A vein, called the quick, runs down the center of each nail. Your cat should be resting comfortably on your lap, the floor, or a table. He’s Likely on his way to cat prison. If your cat is moody, upset, or overexcited, DO NOT start clipping the nails. We welcome your feedback. Trim your cat's nails about every two weeks. If you're nervous about using nail clippers to trim your cat's nails, you can use a pet nail grinder to grind them down. Cat’s claws are essential to their well being. You might want get her used to its sound before attempting to trim the nails. Calmly sit with your cat and gently touch their paws, toes, and claws. Guillotine style: This style of nail trimmer has a fully enclosed loop that you insert the nail through. Anna Petrova Ilieva-Alikaj/EyeEm/Getty Images. Pet your cat and offer a treat or two to ensure they're calm and comfortable before gently picking up their paw to begin clipping the nails. Trimming your cat’s back claws is essential for their health and well-being. Position your cat facing away from you – an ideal time is whilst your cat is relaxing on your lap. This is one of the easiest ways and probably works best for me. A tricky moment in cat care is trimmingits claws. The best time to trim your cat's claws is when she is relaxed or sleepy. "One of the reasons accidents happen is because the cat is not calm. Look for a grinder made for pets, like the Dremel Cordless Pet Dog Nail Grooming and Grinding Tool or the Wahl Premium Nail Filer. Use whatever equipment that you and your cat are comfortable using. Kwik Stop Styptic Powder is a tried-and-true brand. … Even so, you must clip them to prevent any damage being done to you, the furniture, or even the cat itself. With the correct technique, tools, and a gentle approach, trimming your cat's claws at home is not as difficult as it seems. My cat goes ballistic. "If you have any doubts, simply clip less. Looking for smart ways to get more from life? It's not dangerous, it's just painful.". Keep your cat’s claws trimmed with this advice. "If you do it a couple of times a day over a week, eventually the cat sees that nothing bad happens," Grader said. The “quick” or live part would run between your hand and the center knuckle. Make sure you not to cut too close to the pink or red tinge at the base of the claw. If your cat scratches you, do not punish it as this will only make it more frightened and agitated. If allowed to grow too long, they could snag on carpet or furniture and tear, causing painful injuries. If you try this approach, it can help to have another person there to pet the cat and feed them treats while you work. They pull the paw away when you clip and then you cannot be accurate.". We’ve even tried sedatives from the vet but we can’t even administer those. It may be in the garage or outside on the porch. This works best if she’s in a deep sleep. Massage the paw, then press down gently to expose the claws. When cutting claws, tilt the clippers to form a 45-degree angle to cut. There are plenty of tools that can be used to cut a cat’s claws. Smoothly and swiftly close the clipper handles, snipping off the sharp end of the nail. Alternatively, wrap your cat in a towel, with one leg free Take your cat’s paw and gently press the top of each toe to extend the claw outward. The part you’d be clipping off is just past the first knuckle, the top part of the “C”. There are 4 steps: Hold your pet against your body; I’ve got the scratches to prove it. If you've never trimmed your cat's nails, the prospect of doing so might feel intimidating. Account active "This way, they get used to having their paws handled and their nails exposed. Choose a quiet place to avoid scaring the pet. With your cat in your lap facing away from you, take one of her toes in your hand, massage and press the pad until the nail extends. Our very own Dr Rachel Caines explains more in this instructional video. Place the cat in your lap and then wait until your pet sleeps. If she suddenly scratches you, DO NOT punish the cat. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. Sometimes, a cat's rear nails don't need to be trimmed at all. You can start pushing the pads of her paws to push her nails out once she is used to. But, it is advisable to trim the claws if your cat, being unable to chew the back claws is scratching with them. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. Our affiliate partners … trimming your cat’s claws can start pushing the pads of paws. Can be seen quite easily, there are plenty of tools that can even be done virtually with. 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