Thread: Nail Clipping?

Some great advice on here. We have to trim Lucius' claws once a fortnight it seems at the moment! We find it works better if we do it together, i'll cuddle Lucius and hold his paw out, pressing gently on the top of his paw, over a claw, gently pushing it out, and Tom clips it off.

As Karol said, stay calm and keep kitty calm - that is key that they are niced and relaxed, before you start clipping take a good look at the nail and see the blood vessle is so you don't get it. As Karena said, just nip the end off.

Like all things they get used to it!

I clip my indoor cats claws about once a month. My cat that goes outdoors doesn't seem to need it although I check them regularly. Harley has had it doen so many times now he isn't bothered. As per previous posts it's not too scary once you done it the first time!!

I put the cat on my lap, to my cheast. Put the tail between your knees, with one hand I take the claw press out the nail and with the other I clip only a little bit of the nail. Don't take too much of, when they fall they will use their nails to get a hold and if they're too short they will not be able to do so. Just a little is enough. When the cat is still young be firm but kind. If he doesn't want it, just do one nail and the next time another. It is important to let them know it's not scary. If you don't start when they're small it's hard to learn when they're grown up. Same goes for brushing teeth.

I have always cut my cats claws - usually monthly but I found that Sarah (MC) needs hers done about every 2 weeks at the moment. I have wooden sleepers in the cat enclosure outside and it seems good for making nice sharp claws.

I did stop doing one of my old cats when she got arthritis in her shoulders and found her claws caught in the carpet a lot.

I found that doing them from kittens and doing them often ensures they get used to it and they all seemed to accept it.

I put them on my lap upside down with their backs agains my chest and hold the foot and gently squeeze the claw out. I only take the tip off and have never had a problem ( I could just be lucky) and I use nails clippers only because I am used to using them having done so for about 20 years.

There is nothing worse that a furry rattly material mouse being chased in the bed and being attacked by sharp claws into my back!!!!

we've never cut our cats claws but they've always been allowed outside. I might have to look into it.

Would one of those new claw cutters work... almost like a nail file? Has anyone tried them....

Originally Posted by Scrapdragon

we've never cut our cats claws but they've always been allowed outside.
Would one of those new claw cutters work... almost like a nail file? Has anyone tried them....

Scrap; My parents outdoor cat has never had it's nail trimmed either. I'm planning to bring my cat to the vets to get his first trim done there. I can watch how it's done close up!

Not sure what new claw cutters you mean. Have you got a link to them?


Roy Snell: Excellent video. Thanks for posting

I have always been lucky with my babies as the breeder has always sat them on her lap at least a couple of times & just snipped a very small amount off so they get used to being held & the noise from a very early age,like everyone else has said sit them with their backs against your chest & away you go.I always find by sitting them like that & tickling their tummy & whisper sweet nothings{as you do}into their ears at any chance you have gets them used to being in that position so they are then more relaxed when you need to do the nails,I also handle the feet & toes {same even with dogs}as much as I can,you can't beat playing this little piggie went to market with an animal but again it gets them used to having that part of the anatomy handled so they don't bother when you hold them there for nail clipping. I have eight coonies {two belong to daughter luckily}& they range from 3.5kgs to over 10kg & they all sit like angels for claw clipping I am pleased to say.
I work at a vets & sweat more over holding animals to have claws clipped than anything else ......

Hiya, Im just wondering why we should clip our Cats claws? Loads of people and sites talk about it as if it's the done thing but no one says why. Please enlighten me as ours are 6 months and it's not even crossed my mind, also the Vet has never suggested it and we were only there for the snip last week. Thanks in advance.

If cats go outside they wear their nails down naturally but if you keep your cat indoors they will keep growing. As a lot of cats go outside they often don't need their nails cutting - maybe your vet just assumed you would be. If you don't clip them the claw can start to dig into the soft pad on the paw as it curls round on itself. It is very necessary to clip it's claws if you are intending on keeping him indoors. Also if your cat is like Simba and like to climb up your leg to see what you are doing - it doesn't hurt as much

Nails clipped save the furniture,clothes etc. I never done it to my little domestic moggies as they were out & about climbing etc but these ones lead a different lifestyle so just helps make it easier on everything.We have got one lovely tear in the leather sofa where I had forgotten to do one of the cats claws once so it hasn't happened again,all claws done once a month,a vet would never suggest cutting the nails it is just an individual personal thing.
For cats that are shown it has to be done,don't know that it makes that much difference if they decide to stick them into you though,as yet have been lucky enough not to find out....