Trimming your cat's nails doesn't have to be so scary: Follow this step-by-step guide

Trimming your cat’s nails is an important job. It can also be paws-itively terrifying if you end up the target of lengthy claws. 

Some owners want to save time, money and a stressful trip in the crate by trimming cat nails at home. Others feel it’s best left to the professionals. 

If you’re opting for the at-home method, we’ve got you covered – we consulted experts on how, why and when to bring out the clippers. Here's a step-by-step guide.

Can you trim cats’ nails?

Yes – it’s easier to do with two people, but we’ll also teach you how to trim cat nails by yourself. 

Overgrown nails can cause significant pain for cats because they curl around and into the nail pad, causing a painful ingrown nail. This is particularly an issue for elderly cats who aren’t as active, says Chloe Emery, a veterinary technician at VCA South Shore Weymouth Animal Hospital in Massachusetts.

Aside from addressing a health hazard, trimming your cat’s nails is also the best decision you could make for your furniture. No one likes a table that’s been roughed up because their cat needed an outlet for scratching.

But it's not for every family. If your cat hates having their nails trimmed and seems to be in constant pain, there's no need to suffer through it – just bring them to a vet or a groomer. 

"Ultimately, if they're going to hurt you in the process it's not going to be a positive thing for either side,” says Dr. Whitney Miller, Petco's chief veterinarian.

If your cat is double-pawed or has nails that are hidden and curl around, it might be wise to take them to the clinic, Emery says. Short-tempered cats may need to be medicated or put under anesthesia for vet technicians to clip their nails. 

How often to trim cat nails

Cats will typically scratch and bite to trim their nails, but it’s still important for owners to check their nails about once a month, Emery says. If the nail looks short and stubby, the cat has been keeping up with its nails enough on its own. If the nail has a circular curve like a hook, it’s time to clip.

Make sure you have plenty of places around the house where your cat can scratch. 

"A lot of how they maintain their nail health is they slough off their old nails as they grow. Their normal scratching is a behavior that helps do that as well as stimulate, the blood flow and the nerves in their nails," Miller says.

Older owners or immunocompromised pet parents should keep cats' nails short so they don't accidentally break skin when scratching, Miller adds.

How to cut cat nails

If you have a friend available, have them cradle the cat in their lap like a baby while you trim the nails. If you’re clipping solo, create a kitty burrito – or “purrito” – by wrapping the cat in a towel and removing each limb one by one. Check out this tutorial from the Gahanna Animal Hospital in Ohio:

It's helpful to start young and go slow with your kitten, creating positive reinforcement with them throughout the nail-trimming process. Follow each step of this guide carefully:

1. Prep your materials: Get cat-sized trimmers ready and have Styptic powder on standby in case you accidentally nick your cat, says Miller.
2. Prep your cat: Get your cat into position, either in a lap or a “purrito.” Miller has even seen owners put their cat in a flowerpot, "so that they can get their paws without the cat wriggling out." 
3. Start small: Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. Get their favorite treats and reward them to get them comfortable with laying on their back, Emery says.
4. Hold their paws: Don’t do anything just yet, just keep their paw in your hand, remain still and offer a treat.
5. Press down on their paw pads: This will get the nail to stick out. Make sure to reward them with a treat.
6. Cut, treat, repeat: Go nice and slow when you cut the nail and give a treat at the exact time you clip.

Best cat nail clippers

Many pet owners default to guillotine-style nail clippers or human nail clippers, but Emery recommends the ones that look like scissors.

“[The guillotine clippers] tend to split the nail, and it’s really painful,” Emery said. “So if you use the scissor kind, you get a nice clean cut, it’s more like using human nail clippers.”

How much to trim off of a cat’s nail

Only clip off the white part of the cat’s nail – don’t get any of the pink.

“It's better to take too little than too much,” Emery says. “So if you cross that line and you do cause some pain, it's going to be really challenging, probably for the rest of their lives, to actually be able to trim their nails.”

Does it hurt to cut a cat’s nails?

It shouldn't, but mistakes happen. If you do find yourself in a situation where you accidentally hurt your cat, start from scratch with the training process to build their trust again. Try giving your cat a treat or a toy immediately after the pain to distract them. 

If your cat is bleeding and it won’t stop, put a little cornstarch on the affected area, or use Styptic powder to stop the bleeding, Emery and Miller advise.

How often to take a cat to the vet:Meet your feline friend's veterinary needs

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