Thread: Nail Clipping?

I've never trimmed a kitty's nails before so I've a few questions about it!

At what age can I start to trim his nails?
Is it easy to do or should I get the vet to do it?

I have never trimmed a cats nails before but have to do my dogs all the time. If the same applies to cats as dogs in theory it's easy but in reality no its not! If you cut too far you will make it bleed and once it bleeds it is hard to stop. If the nail is white you can see the pink bit inside the nail that you have to avoid but if it's black you should see a little hook at the end of the nail where it gets narrow. I would just use human nail clippers for a cat and just take off the little hook at the end making sure you don't go to far (it's a good idea to have some stop bleed handy which you can buy from pet shops). Sometimes with my dogs I file them as it is less frightening but it's a job I always hate doing. I think it's something you need to get used to though as I would have thought taking to the vet would be expensive and you may need to go quite regularly. You will get more confident the more you do it (or so I've been told) Good luck. It may be harder with a cat cos not sure if they will sit still like my dogs do.

To be honest Im not looking forward doing this. When I told about my in-laws about trimming the cat's claws, they were really surprised! They had many cats and they said that they never ever trimmed their nails. But I guess this is because they've always been outdoor cats.

Ive seen the 'How to' on the internet, but still doesnt make me feel confident in doing it.

Once a month I clip the nails of our cats and rabbits with this type of nail scissors:

It's much easier to use something like this than a regular nail clipper for humans, cause it fits better around the nail and you have a better grip on the nail while clipping it. You have more chance on little accidents with regular nail clippers. ;)

The most important thing is to stay calm and not stress about it. It's really not so difficult to do, but you will make it more difficult by stressing about it (your cat will sense your stress and might think that something really bad is going to happen, so it will get stressed as well).

Apart from all this, I guess Karena's advice is quite complete.

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!!

Originally Posted by IrishKitty

I've never trimmed a kitty's nails before so I've a few questions about it!

At what age can I start to trim his nails?
Is it easy to do or should I get the vet to do it?

The Cornell Feline Health Center have this movie tutorial for trimming your cat's claws.Follow the link*Roy
Play Entire Video | Partners in Animal Health