Claw trimming and claw care for cats

Does your cat disappear at the sight of scissors? Do you have to wrap her in a towel to give her a manicure? According to our behavior experts, enjoyable nail trimming sessions are not only possible, they should be! Read on for tips on how to keep your cat relaxed while you trim her nails and make nail trimming a fun time together.

How to Train a Cat to Have Its Claws Trimmed

Ideally, you should accustom your cat to having its claws trimmed from an early age. Choose a place in a quiet room where you can sit comfortably with your cat on your lap. Pick it up when it is relaxed and even sleepy, such as when it is relaxed after a meal. Make sure it cannot see birds, street animals or traffic outside through the windows, and that other pets are not nearby.

Make friends with a cat's paw

Gently take one of your cat's paws between your fingers and massage it for a count of three, no more. If your cat withdraws the paw, don't squeeze or squeeze it, just follow its movement, maintaining gentle contact. When it stops moving, apply gentle pressure to the pad of the finger so that it releases its claws, then release the paw and immediately give it a treat. Do this on a different toe each day until you've become familiar with all ten.

Let your cat get used to the scissors.

Before you try to trim your cat's nails, you'll need to get her used to the sound of the scissors. Sit your cat on your lap, place a piece of uncooked spaghetti in the scissors, and hold the scissors near your cat. (If she sniffs the scissors, put a treat on the scissors for her.) Then, while massaging one of her toes, apply gentle pressure to the pad of the toe. When she extends her claws, use the scissors to trim the spaghetti while gently holding her paw. Now release your finger and quickly give her a treat.

Never trim the sensitive part of the nail.

The pink part of a cat's nail is where the nerves and blood vessels are. DO NOT trim this sensitive area. Trim only the white part of the nail. It is better to be careful and trim less nail than to risk trimming this area. If you do trim this area, you can stop the bleeding with styptic powder or pencil. It is a good idea to keep these handy while trimming the nails.

It's time to trim your claws

With your cat on your lap with her back facing you, take one of her toes and massage and apply pressure to the pad until she releases her claws. Look at how long the nails need to be trimmed and notice where the pink area begins. Now trim just the sharp tip of the nail, release your cat's toe and quickly give her a treat. If your cat doesn't notice, trim another nail, but don't trim more than two at a time until your cat feels comfortable. Be sure to reward her with a special treat after the procedure. Note that for the first few sessions, you may only trim one paw at a time.

Claw trimming mode

Trim your cat's nails every ten days to two weeks. If your cat won't let you trim her nails, seek help from a veterinarian or animal care professional.

What NOT to do

• If the cat resists, do not raise your voice or punish it.
• Never try to trim the claws if your cat is excited or you are in a bad mood. Don't rush - you may trim the pink area.
• Do not attempt to trim all of your cat's claws in one session.
• DON'T declaw your cat. This surgical procedure involves amputating the tips of your cat's toes, and is strongly discouraged by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Instead, trim your cat's nails regularly, buy your cat a scratching post that fits, and ask your vet about plastic cat nail guards.