How To Trim Your Cats Nails

Posted by Charla Dawson Aug 10, 2006

Keeping your cats nails trimmed can be used as an alternative to declawing. If your cat is not active and the nails are left untrimmed they could continue to grow into the pad. Nail trims can be done at an animal hospital or for the more adventurous type, you can learn to trim nails at home.

1. Assemble what you need - Animal nail trimmers can be used but I prefer human trimmers , styptic powder - in case you cut a nail to short, paper towel - in case of bleeding.
2. Hold your cat in your lap or on a table. I have my cat face to the left, my right arm goes across the cats back to hold a paw on the right side, and trim with my left hand. I then turn the cat around and do the other side. I use my forearm to control the cats body. I can trim nails with either hand, if you can't you may need someone to hold for you. If this is the case your holder can scruff with one hand and hold the back feet with other, so that the cat is lying on its side. Another option is to have a holder wrap the cat in a towel while you pull one foot out at a time and trim the nails.
3. When trimming nails hold your cats paw firmly and push on a digit to extend the nail. Cats have retractable claws so you have to push on each individual toe to trim the nail. Cut each nail from the bottom up avoiding the quick or blood supply. The quick is the pink portion of the nail.
4. If you cut a nail to short it will bleed. Have a paper towel ready to blot away any blood and hold against the nail for a few minutes. Direct pressure really helps, next apply styptic powder to stop the bleeding. If you don't have styptic powder sometimes flour or cornstarch will work. If the bleeding doesn't stop within 10 minutes call your veterinarian, they can get the bleeding stopped for you.
5. Try to trim the nails at least once a month. Less active cats may need nail trims more often.
6. Don't get bit. If your cat is especially fractious don't attempt to trim the nails, better to leave it to the professionals. A nail trim is not worth a visit to the ER.