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How to trim your Cat’s nails – Cat Grooming guide

  • By nishwa
  • November 26, 2022
  • 4 minutes read
How to trim your Cat's nails - Cat Grooming guide

Trimming your cat’s nails is one of the most important aspects of grooming your pet. Long and sharp nails can lead to many negative consequences, such as the curved nail growing into the footpad, causing your cat discomfort and pain.

Your cat can also ruin your carpet, furniture, and clothes, and even claw you with its sharp nails. To avoid this, you should trim your cat’s nails every 10-15 days. Cats can get aggressive while getting their nails trimmed that’s why it’s preferred to train them to relax during this process as a kitten. If you were not able to do so, then don’t worry because we will be explaining how to correctly trim your cat’s nails at home, without any nuisance.

What NOT to do?

DO NOT DECLAW your cat, as it is extremely painful, it is as painful as cutting a human finger to the first knuckle. Nails can grow back inside the paw, which can cause infection and continuous pain. Let your cats use scratch posts to sharpen their nails because it’s their natural behavior. You need to keep checking the sharpness of the nails and trim when needed.

Trimming your cat’s nails is not difficult at all, you only need to take out a little time for your baby and have some patience. Here’s how you can easily trim your cat’s nails in 3 simple steps.

1. Putting your Cat in a Calm mood

Cat in a Calm Mood

The first step is to find your cat in a calm and sleepy mood. They get sleepy after eating and after playing for too long. That is the perfect time to pick up your cat and place it in your lap while facing its back. Make your cat feel comfortable and pet them in their favorite spot.

Once they are comfy, grab one paw and squeeze between the thumb and finger pad to reveal the claw. If your cat is not letting you do so or not even letting you touch their paws, then don’t force them. Gently massage its paws for a few seconds and reward them with a treat, so it can let you touch its paws and continue the process.

If your cat is hissing, growling, stiffening its body, or panicking, let them go immediately. This is a sign that they are very aggressive and may even bite you. If you are aware that your cat is generally very aggressive then it’s better to place them on a table and wrap them in a towel so you can avoid any negative consequences.

2. Only Trimming the Tip of the nails

Only Trimming the Tip of your Cat's nails

Grab a cat nail trimmer or grinder in one hand and grab your cat’s paw in the other. Squeeze each pad on the paw to reveal their claws and trim only 2mm of the nail, at a 450-degree angle. You can see a pink or black line from the start till the mid of the claw. That is a vein which is called the quick. You are supposed to avoid trimming the nail over the quick, as it can cause pain and bleeding.

If you accidentally cut the quick, apply styptic powder on it quickly to reduce pain and stop bleeding. If you don’t have it, you can use corn flour or plain flour, which will only stop the bleeding. You and your cat both need to relax before and after the process.

3. Practice Makes Perfect

If you’re a beginner, make sure you familiarise your cat with everything involved before you actually trim its nails. When your cat lets you touch its paw, reward them. When it lets you squeeze its paw to reveal the claw, give it another treat. Let your cat inspect the nail trimmer or grinder before you use it on them because new things can often scare them.

a relaxing kitty after nail trimming

You can also take a piece of dry spaghetti, and cut it with the trimmer, just so your cat can get familiar with the sound of clipping the nail. When all steps are cleared, and they get comfortable with everything, then give a treat after trimming each nail. Reward them after every step so they can associate a positive experience with nail trimming.

You should use a Cat nail trimmer that best suits you and your cat in the trimming process. A nail grinder can make it quick but your cat might get scared of the noise it makes. We have shared our favorite Cat nail clippers and grinders if you aren’t sure which one you should buy. If they are comfortable with one thing, you better stick to it. Do you know any other tips and tricks about how to trim your cat’s nails? Let us know in the comment section.

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