Cat Nail Care
Keeping Claws Manicured

Trimming claws is a necessary part of cat nail care and should be done every 4-6 weeks.

All you'll need is a special guillotine clipper to do the job.

Do not be tempted to use a normal pair of scissors for cutting the claws, as it can splinter the claw causing pain and discomfort.

If you're not comfortable doing the trimming, employ the services of a reputable cat parlor.

how to trim cat claws

let's get started.

Hold your precious cat gently but firmly.
Don't use force.
Take the paw into your hand and squeeze on the paw gently to expose the claw.
Place the clipper across the claw. Make sure that you keep clear of the pink triangular nail bed (quick) which can be seen through the keratin of the claw - then clip the tip of the nail.
If you accidentally nick the quick, it will be very painful and bleed excessively. It will also mean the end of the claw-clipping session as no self-respecting cat will hang-around for seconds!

why cat nail care is essential

Preventing Injury. Cat claws are sharp and can inflict a fair amount of pain and minor damage - ask anyone who has been on the receiving end of a cat claw!

Preventing Damage. When your adorable cat decides to sharpen or trim its claws on your expensive furniture and trimmings it can be a nuisance and does little to endear you to him!

All domestic cats have retractable claws which they use for:

climbing
gripping
defence

Cats NEED THEIR CLAWS!

natural cat nail care

Train your kitten early to desist from sharpening claws on household furniture.

To start kitten training, a gentle but firm 'no' will let them understand that this is unacceptable behavior.

You will need to invest in several scratching posts or scratching boards placed strategically throughout your home and the kitten should be gently encouraged to use them.

Cats that have free access to a garden will generally use a tree to blunt their claws.

cat info | de-clawing cats!

This is practiced in some countries and 'outlawed' in others.

It is a surgical procedure performed by a veterinarian.

It entails the permanent removal of the claw!

The claw is part of the last bone in the cat's toe, which effectively means an amputation of part of the toe!!

Some experts have described the procedure as 'mutilation' - as cat-lovers we tend to agree.

This procedure is not widely advocated as it can weaken the cat's defenses and climbing and gripping will be difficult - actually near impossible.
Needless to say, it is exceptionally painful too.
It may have some impact on your cat's natural behavior as it now needs to compensate for the loss of its normal defense and climbing 'equipment'.

Unless there is a medical reason for the removal of your cat's claws (and we can't think of any), we advocate early training and regular claw trimming to avoid this procedure.

We believe that cat health care should be conservative - rather start a cat nail care routine.

Related Pages:

Top of Cat Nail Care Page

Back to Cat Care

Home