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How To Trim Your Cat’s Nails

Rebecca Schmidt • Nov 04, 2012
Use nail clippers approved for use in pets.
Nail trimming may be easier for cats that are used to their paws being handled. Touching, gently massaging and handling your cat’s feet during normal petting time will help your cat get used to having his/her feet handled.
When you first begin trimming nails you may want to trim 1-2 nails at a time until your cat is used to it. Follow with a treat.

STEP BY STEP

  1. With one hand, hold your cat’s paw and gentle squeeze the toe ( index finger on pad and thumb on top of toe) to extend the nail.
  2. Locate the end of the “quick”. You will see pink inside the nail that comes to a point. This is the blood and nerve supply inside the nail.
  3. Place nail clippers around the nail, a small distance after the end of the quick.
  4. Squeeze clippers firmly to cut the nail.
  5. Continue these steps for each nail. Front paws have five nails, back paws four.
Be very careful to clip a short distance from the quick’s end. Cutting too short and into the quick can cause bleeding. There is a product called “Quick Stop” that can be applied to the nail to stop bleeding if you accidentally cut the nail too short. If this product is not available you can use corn starch or flour to stop the bleeding. Although messy this is not life threatening.

Your cat may dislike his or her paws being handled and try to get away. If this happens a few ideas :
  1. Clip your cats nails during a time of relaxation.
  2. If your cat tries to turn over or use back feet to kick while you trim front feet, wrap your cat in a big bath towel and pull the feet out one at a time.
  3. Be sure to reward your cat with a treat when finished.
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