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Claw trimming
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Most people don't touch their cat's feet until they're about to trim their nails, and...carefully! Some animals can be very upset by this foreign sensation. So before you try trimming your cat's nails, it's a good idea to get your cat used to having its feet touched. Rub your cat's feet up and down, and then gently press on each toe. Be sure to praise and give treats as you do this. Every animal is different, but chances are that after a week or two of daily foot massage, your cat will be less upset about having its nails trimmed.
Here's how it should be done:
- Press gently on the top of her foot and the pads of her toes underneath - this will cause her to release her claws.
- Trim the white tip of each nail to where it curves using sharp, high-quality cat nail clippers.
- Be careful not to touch the blood vessel inside the nail. This pink area is visible through the nail.
- If you do accidentally cut the pink area, it may bleed, in which case you can use styptic powder.