How to cut cat nails

Just like humans clipping or filing nails, it’s important to keep your cat’s nails trimmed and neat.

Doing so can help keep them from scratching you (or your furniture!), but it’s also essential to your cat’s health. Moreover, regular cat nail trimming is also a safe and effective alternative to keeping your cat. not decorated – can lead to everything from infection and nerve injury to behavioral problems and chronic pain.

So how often should they be pruned? “Nothing is written in stone,” declared Paola Cuevas Moreno, MVZ and animal behaviorist. “On average, you’ll need to trim your cat’s nails every two to four weeks, but this will depend on your cat’s habits and activities.”

If your cat is particularly hyperactive, its claws will naturally wear out. On the other hand, “if you notice your cat’s nails are quite sharp, long, and have a distinctly curved shape (approach the circle when plucking) – it may be time to trim the nails,” says Dr. Genna Mize, veterinarian Technical service at Virbac.

You don’t need much to complete the task, simply a pair of cat shears (and a little patience!). More good news: If you use those trimmers correctly, Your cat will not feel pain. Read on to learn how to safely and properly trim your cat’s nails.

iStock / Daria Kulkova

How to cut cat nails: Step by step

Ready to get started? “The trick here is to take your time; Don’t jump to the next step until the cat is comfortable with the previous step,” says Cuevas Moreno.

1. Once the cat is in position, let them be comfortable around the trimmer. “Desensitize your cat to clippers, let him see them and smell them,” says Cuevas Moreno. “Touch the cat’s body with scissors and deal with the calm behavior.”
2. Next, “get used to your cat touching its paws and applying pressure to expose the claws,” explains Cuevas Moreno. You can also use this opportunity to quickly locate the nail (read on for why this is important). “If the cat remains calm and allows you to expose its claws, treat and stop the play session,” she adds.
3. If your cat is still happy, bring the trimmer closer to the nail and give another treat, says Cuevas Moreno. “Repeat steps 1 and 2 at random times, changing paws and exposed claws,” she continued. “Your goal is to keep the cat calm and allow you to touch, expose its claws, and get the trimmer nearby. Don’t push its limits.”
4. All settings? It’s time to snipe. “Once the cat is confident, trim one nail,” says Cuevas Moreno. She adds: “Put in a gentle top-to-bottom motion, rather than side-to-side, as “your cat will feel less pressure.” Don’t forget to reward with a gift.
5. Cuevas Moreno reveals: “If you feel confident cats, try to do two strokes in one go and gradually work your way up. “In time, the cat will allow all its claws [to be] She added – but until then, keep the experience positive for all participants by taking it slow.

Additional tips

• Be comfortable. “Choose a position that is most comfortable for your cat – it could be on your lap or on their favorite perch,” says Mize. “Some cats like to be lightly wrapped in a towel to keep them still – a ‘kitty purrito’, as we sometimes call it! “
• As simple as beautiful. “Never cut too short,” notes Cuevas Moreno. “Just cut a few millimeters from the top.”
• Partner up. Asking a friend or family member to hold and keep the cat calm can help.
• There is food on standby. We all love receiving rewards, and cats are no different. “Use your cat’s favorite treats or toys to distract them from the process. Mize said.
• Having no vision doesn’t mean losing your mind. If your cat has long hair, gently brush it with your thumb or thumb and hold it in place while cutting.
• Find a quiet place. Your cat will be easily distracted or scared if surrounded by loud noises or lots of action – so turn off the TV or ask the kids to move to another room.

iStock / Law of Freer

Common mistakes to avoid when trimming cat nails

As with all complex, difficult tasks, it is easy to slip or make mistakes. First: Cutting too much means you’ll quickly dig into the nail, which is very painful and can cause bleeding. If this happens, “use Styptic powder to stop the bleeding,” suggests Cuevas Moreno.

Some cat owners rush to get the job done – but think of this grooming task as more of a marathon than a sprint. “Some cats can only tolerate one paw, or even a few toes at a time,” Mize reveals. Just cut off the space on the nail. If your adult cat is just getting started, keep sessions short – ideally under two minutes. “

Think you need to press hard on your foot to get that nail out? Not so. “Press lightly on the top and bottom of your toes to lengthen the nail,” says Mize.

What happens if I don’t trim my cat’s nails?

Making sure your cat’s claws are the right length is important to their overall health and well-being.

• If the nails are too long, they can start to curl and dig into the soft part of the foot, causing bleeding and pain.
• Long nails can catch on surfaces, causing them to break painfully.
• If the nails are too long, they can grow inward – leading to pain, inflammation, and infection.
• Expensive sofa or new dining table? Trimming your cat’s nails can help prevent injury if they are used as scratching posts.
• Trimmed nails can help reduce the angle if your cat is petting you.

If you have a polydactyl cat (when they are born with more toes than usual), their nails will likely need extra attention. This is because their additional nails can grow at different angles, which means they don’t come down naturally and are more likely to become ingrown.

iStock / cunfek

Cat nail clippers Vs. Human nail clippers

You may be wondering, “Can I use human nail clippers on my cat?” While it’s technically possible, it’s best to use a cat nail clipper – they put less pressure on the nails and are specifically designed for the job.

Many cat nail clipperswith scissors, guillotine, and pliers being three of the most popular (Don’t worry, they’re not as scary as they sound!).

• The scissor style is what you’d expect to see in human scissors, just with smaller blades. The blades can be straight, semicircular, or a combination of both. This type is generally considered easier to move and handle.
• Clipper nail trimming involves inserting the cat’s claw through a small hole and then pressing down on the blade to cut the end. They provide a neat, quick cut, but some owners find them harder to use as they involve a bit more precision.
• Similar to scissor style, scissor pliers have two blades but a slightly different handle (bar style, not a finger hole). They also offer more oomph, so just a light squeeze.

“Invest in good quality trimmers that are sharp and precise,” says Cuevas Moreno. Also, consider what you are most comfortable using. Scissors and pliers typically have a snug handle for easier grip. Some scissor trimmers also come with built-in safety guards to help keep you from cutting too short.

Don’t forget to “keep the trimmer clean,” says Cuevas Moreno, and “wipe them with ethanol after each use.”

Anatomy of cat nails and toes

Before cutting, you should understand the workings of the cat’s paws. The nail curves naturally to help it hunt and can ‘pull back’ into the foot when not in use. Think Wolverine in the X-Men!

Elsewhere you will find super cute lil ”beans” – aka pink pads – on the bottom of the foot. These help absorb impact when cats walk or run, and contain sweat glands that help them stay cool. As a bonus, they can be used to aid in trimming: Gently press one, and the nail will pop out completely.

Fast is another important factor to keep in mind, as this is where a lot of blood vessels and nerves are concentrated, so you definitely want to avoid it. Starting halfway, “this is the opaque part of a cat’s claw, which is easily visualized in most cats,” says Mize. However, if your cat has darker paws, it can be harder to spot faster — so “you’re better off being a lot more cautious,” adds Cuevas Moreno.

Take it

An important factor to a cat’s overall health is keeping their nail length under control – and often we have to lend them a hand.

Confidence, patience, and trust are important factors in nail trimming, along with the use of a clean, sharp pair of scissors. Once you have these things sorted, the process should be relatively simple. However, “if you’re not confident or your cat can’t stand nail trimming, it’s best to seek professional help,” says Mize.

Remember to take things slow and you can spread out a pruning session over several days. And, as they say, practice makes perfect!