How to trim your cat’s nails for the best results, according to a vet tech
Trimming your cat’s nails is an important job, but one that can also be paws-itively terrifying for those who don’t want to end up the target of lengthy claws.
Many vet owners trim cat nails themselves, but some feel the task is better left to vets. Clipping your cat's claws can definitely put trust and behavior to the test, but can have lasting positive results if done correctly.
While trimming your cat’s nails seems like a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be. Here are the answers to your questions on how, why and when to bring out the clippers.
How do I trim my cat’s nails?
Chloe Emery gained experience trimming cat nails as a veterinary technician in the behavioral department of VCA South Shore Weymouth Animal Hospital in Massachusetts. She recommends training your cat to have their nails done with this simple process:
Lay the cat with its back against your stomach. If you have two people, have one cradle the cat on their lap like a baby. You can also put the cat in a "purrito" if you're alone — wrap the cat in a towel and remove each limb one by one.
Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. Get their favorite treats and reward them to get them comfortable with laying on their back.
Hold their paws. Don’t do anything just yet, just remain still and offer a treat.
Press down on their paw pads so you can get the nail to start to stick out. Reward your furry friend with a treat.
Go nice and slow when you cut the nail and give a treat at the exact time you make the cut.
“You only want to do as much as they'll allow you to do,” Emery said. “So for a lot of people, that's doing one nail a day.”
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Is it necessary to trim a cat's claws?
Overgrown nails pose an issue for cats, especially elderly ones who aren’t as active, according to allpetvoices.com. If your cat’s nails are too long, they could curl around the paw and cause significant pain.
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.
How do I know when to trim my cat’s nails?
Cats will typically scratch and bite to trim their own nails, but it’s still important for owners to check their nails about once a month. 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.
What tools should I use to trim my cat’s nails?
While many pet owners default to the guillotine style nail clippers or human nail clippers, 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.”
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How much of my cat’s nail do I trim?
Emery’s guideline is to only clip off the white part of the cat’s nail — make sure not to get any of the pink.
“It's better to take too little than too much,” Emery said. “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.”
What happens if I hurt my cat while trimming its nails?
Mistakes happen. If you do find yourself in a situation where you accidentally hurt your cat, you’re going to want to 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, try putting a little cornstarch on the affected area, Emery said.
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When should I see a vet?
There are some situations where at-home nail clipping isn’t an option. Some cat owners simply aren’t interested in learning to cut their cat’s nails themselves, but because clinics can be stressful for cats, Emery suggests training them young with the laying down method.
If your cat is double-pawed or has nails that are hidden and curl around, it might be a wise decision to take them to the clinic. Sometimes cats who are particularly fractious — or short-tempered — need to be medicated or under anesthesia for vet technicians to clip their nails.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to trim your cat's nails, explained by a vet expert
