Have you ever nonchalantly inspected your kitty’s little paws amidst a cuddling session and gone, “what the hecking dang is this?”, upon noticing how creepy-long your cat’s nails are? If you’re like me, then nothing gets the ol’ cuteness aggression going like squeezing those little kitten bean toes. And, if you’re you’re like me, nothing puts the damper on your snuggle sesh like those crazy long Howard Hughes nails.
So, how often should you cut your cat’s nails?
Cats, like humans, have different growth rates when it comes to their nails, so there’s no “one size fits all” routine you need to follow. The most important thing is to keep an eye on your cat and take a look at their paws to determine if it’s time for a trim. I live in an apartment with a section of wooden flooring, so when I hear Marzipan or Lula clickin’ and clackin’ around in the kitchen (like that episode in The Simpsons when Snowball scuttled across the screen, walking on the tips of his nails), I know it’s time to reach for the clippers.
Image: Alexander via flicker
Now that you know how to determine when a trim is necessary for your baby, how should you go about it? If you’re lucky and have a laid-back puss, then the whole mani-pedi endeavor might be less of an ordeal. However, if you’ve got a finicky feline, things could get complicated. Here are some quick steps to help soothe Mr. Fussybottom and get those claws under control:
Timing is everything.
Wait until the moment is right. A good time to strike is when your cat is relaxed – maybe even sleeping. Sometimes you can sneak on in there and get to clippin’ before your cat even has time to freak out. This is, of course, dependent on how tolerant your cat is. But no matter what kind of cat you’re dealing with, it’s definitely not to your advantage to try going in for the trim while your cat is in the middle of playtime, hungry, or otherwise agitated. A good way to get your kitty in a chill mood is waiting until right after dinner time, when your cat is most satisfied and at ease. What I like to do with my own dumplings is feed them some wet food for dinner, and then wait until they curl up on the couch next to me, as per their nightly routine. Figure out your cat’s routine and let it play to your advantage.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Take your cat to a calm, quiet place. Even if your cat is sleeping, she may not necessarily be content. Make sure your baby is in a place where she feels most comfortable and most at ease. Don’t try to win her affections by getting her to play with a toy – you want your kittysweets to be calm and trusting, not riled-up and ready for action. I like bringing my cats to a place that’s away from the windows (where they become easily distracted by birds and car noises) and letting them settle on my lap. If your cat prefers a certain type of fabric (my Lula and Marzipan love my fuzzy Hello Kitty housecoat, for instance) make sure to lay that on your lap so that she’ll be more inclined to stay put.
Take it easy.
When I first plucked Lula from the rough ‘n tumble streets of Phoenix, coaxing her to relax long enough to trim her claws was admittedly a test of patience. But the more you do it, the more your baby will get used to it, so long as you always try to roll with the drama and make sure you’re not adding to the stress by becoming flustered yourself. You want your cat to be comfortable, so be gentle with him. If he’s especially panicky, you can reward him with a treat every time you clip a nail. Make a habit out of holding and massaging his toes and feet so he becomes used to the sensation. If he resists, do NOT try to rush through the process. You’ll get there – just take it slow and steady.
Another important tip to remember: make sure you don’t cut ‘em too short. Take a look at your cat’s nails and notice the pinkish color down at the very bottom, close to the paw. That’s called the “quick”, and it’s filled with blood and nerve endings. Cutting through those nerve endings results in nothing but a real horrorshow amount of blood and howling. Trust me. I know. I’ve had it happen to me, with my pet bunny. I cried for days. Days. But the good news is that there’s never any need to cut super close to the quick, so try to stick to the tips of the nails, only cutting as low as the beginning of the nail’s curve. When in doubt, always remember that the least amount of nail you take off, the better. Once you get used to trimming your cat’s nails, you’ll gradually gain the confidence to cut closer and closer to the quick without harming your kitty.
So, why trim your cat’s nails anyway?
Nail trimming is beneficial both to you and your cat. Not only does it keep your honey bunches from being able to rip through every sun dress, curtain, and blanket you own, but it allows them to be much more comfortable as well. If your cat’s nails grow out too long, you run the risk of the nail splitting and causing a great deal of pain for your baby, which could be easily prevented with some simple upkeep. If your cat loves to knead you, consider the whole nail-trimming process a gift to yourself, to keep those razor-sharp needle claws from perforating your stomach in the middle of the night. Hey – you’re welcome.
Now that you’re equipped with the whens and hows of kitty manicures, feel free to examine your baby’s claws. Are they lookin’ a little scraggly? Grab a pair of nail trimmers (sometimes toenail trimmers work best) and get to it, or find a local groomer who will be happy to get those claws under control for ya!
Pictures would have been nice.
Thank you for the feedback, Michell! 🙂
Thanks for the tutorial. Love your bio. 🙂
Thank you so much, Kim! 🙂
I need a picture to show angle of clippers to nail.
Hey Liz! Thanks for the comment. Here is a great tutorial video showing the ins and outs of pet nail care:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7KcGivV0-I
I wouldn’t suggest cutting your cats claws unless you have a special clipper that has a guard on it that prevents you from cutting their nails too short. Having a Vet show you how is a good idea also. Your cats are members of your family and they trust you’ll care for them, love them, and protect them from harm. So why risk hurting them? It’s not worth it. I’m not saying ‘never cut their claws!’ I am saying that ‘if you’re not sure how to cut them, then wait until your Vet shows you how and/or you get the clippers that prevent you from cutting too short.’ If it makes you feel a little better, just remember cats groom their nails by sharpening them, so waiting until you KNOW how to cut them. it’s safer than cutting them too short. Remember that sandbox they walk thru? It could be VERY BAD for them to do so with an injury. Good Luck!!!
Thanks Craig! That’s a good point. I’m personally lucky in that my cats are pretty tame when it comes to “mani/pedi time” so I get along fine with a traditional pair of nail clippers. Thanks again for your comment and insight!
Thanks for the tips
You’re most welcome, Claire! 🙂