Current:Home > FinanceTrimming your cat's nails doesn't have to be so scary: Follow this step-by-step guide-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Trimming your cat's nails doesn't have to be so scary: Follow this step-by-step guide
View Date:2024-12-23 11:55:21
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:
- Prep your materials: Get cat-sized trimmers ready and have Styptic powder on standby in case you accidentally nick your cat, says Miller.
- 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."
- 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.
- Hold their paws: Don’t do anything just yet, just keep their paw in your hand, remain still and offer a treat.
- Press down on their paw pads: This will get the nail to stick out. Make sure to reward them with a treat.
- 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
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered.
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "Do cats smile?" to "How to make hummingbird food" to "How long are cats pregnant?" – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.
veryGood! (332)
Related
- College Football Playoff ranking release: Army, Georgia lead winners and losers
- Indiana State Fair attendance increases slightly for 2nd consecutive year
- Federal judge in lawsuit over buoys in Rio Grande says politics will not affect his rulings
- Angels' Shohei Ohtani's torn UCL creates a cloud over upcoming free agency
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Addresses PK Kemsley Cheating Rumors in the Best Way Possible
- Tim McGraw is firm in his beliefs and love of his family: 'I stand for what I stand for'
- 'All we want is revenge': How social media fuels gun violence among teens
- Montana man sentenced to federal prison for threatening to kill US Sen. Jon Tester
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom will spend part of week in DC as he tries to Trump-proof state policies
- ACC college football preview: Can Florida State knock off Clemson?
Ranking
- Jennifer Garner and Boyfriend John Miller Are All Smiles In Rare Public Outing
- Reneé Rapp Says She Was Body-Shamed While Working on Broadway's Mean Girls
- Trump praises Jan. 6 crowd, repeats election lies in online interview while skipping GOP debate
- Epilogue Books serves up chapters, churros and coffee in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Sofia Richie Reveals 5-Month-Old Daughter Eloise Has a Real Phone
- Launch of 4 astronauts to space station bumped to Saturday
- The Blind Side Producers Reveal How Much Money the Tuohys Really Made From Michael Oher Story
- Terry Funk, WWE wrestling icon, dies at 79
Recommendation
-
It's cozy gaming season! Video game updates you may have missed, including Stardew Valley
-
North West Recreates Kanye West’s Classic Polo Look During Tokyo Trip With Mom Kim Kardashian
-
Gov. Ron DeSantis' education overhaul continues with bathroom rule at Florida state colleges
-
Brooklyn man charged with murder in 'horrific' hammer attack on mother, 2 children
-
Gun groups sue to overturn Maine’s new three-day waiting period to buy firearms
-
North West Recreates Kanye West’s Classic Polo Look During Tokyo Trip With Mom Kim Kardashian
-
Trump praises Jan. 6 crowd, repeats election lies in online interview while skipping GOP debate
-
Gov. Ron DeSantis' education overhaul continues with bathroom rule at Florida state colleges