HOW DO I CLIP MY CAT OR KITTEN'S NAILS?
How to Hold Your Cat When Trimming Her Nails
Some cats only need a gentle touch while getting their nails trimmed. For these, rest your arm over your cat's body and softly lift each paw for nail clipping. If he gets a little antsy, let him go and finish the rest of his nails when he's relaxed again.
Other cats need to be constrained. Gently roll a towel around your cat, allowing only his head and front paws to remain free. If your cat won't hold still long enough to be cocooned in a towel, you might try a grooming bag designed for cats.
How to Cut Your Cat's Nails
While holding your cat's paw, gently squeeze one toe until the retractable claw is exposed. Don't squeeze the sides, but rather the top and bottom, coaxing the claw out by pressing slightly behind it.
Note where the pink part at the base of the claw is.2 This is the "quick" and should not be cut. It's full of nerve endings and could bleed and hurt if clipped.
Instead, clip the pointy edge of the nail, leaving plenty of room between your nail clipper and the quick.3 Most people only trim their cat's front paws. They're easier to clip, and these are the claws that tend to do the most damage. You may need to clip them once every six to eight weeks.
If clipping your cat's nails is too difficult, ask your veterinarian for help. Some people even use cat groomers. In most situations, cat owners will choose to do it themselves. Just follow this simple guide, and you should be fine. Make sure to end the clipping session with a yummy treat, congratulatory pets, and praise to build your cat's e-meow-tional health.
