How to cut kitten nails

Instead of cruel tactics like declawing, help your kitten get used to regular nail trimming by starting to trim her claws at 4 weeks of age.

Either the guillotine type or a human fingernail clipper are easiest to use in cats. The scissors-type is used if a toe nail is so long that it is curling in a circle. Long claws can grow into the toepad. If you cut into the quick, the claw will bleed and the cat will experience pain.

Clipping Schedule

Most cats should have their claws trimmed every week and a half to two weeks. Getting into a routine will make it easier to keep your cat’s nails under control. If you‘re having trouble trimming their claws, you can ask a groomer or veterinarian for advice. The ASPCA highly discourages declawing cats.

That’s because every cat nail has something called the “quick” which is where the nails and blood vessels are located. If cut this will hurt the cat and the nail will bleed. If your cat has had their quick cut in the past then that may be all it takes to make them fear the nail trimming process.

But you can‘t skip the nail trim. If a cat’s claws are not trimmed on a regular basis, they can curl in on themselves and grow into the foot pad, causing intense pain. Untrimmed nails can also pose a hazard to people and furniture, both of which can be injured by too-long claws.

DEAR VIOLE: Cats are pretty good at tending their own nails, but they can benefit from a nail trim every couple of weeks. Cats‘ nails grow in layers. Cats‘ nails are extremely sharp, and a scratch can lead to an infection, so trimming the nails would be a benefit for you.

Pet groomers usually charge an average of $10 to $20 for a cat’s nail trim. Veterinarians may also trim your cat’s nails for an average cost of $20+. If you trim your cat’s nails by yourself, you may have to set aside a small amount to buy nail trimming materials.

It’s not as cruel as declawing a cat, but it’s not very effective either. A cat with trimmed claws can still scratch both you and furniture. Furthermore, it’s easy to over-trim a cat’s claws and cause it significant pain. Declawing your cat is a cruel and unacceptable alternative and should not be considered.

Trimming Claws Helps

Trimming your cat’s claws curbs the clawing habit and makes it less destructive when she starts scratching. When she’s good and relaxed, press down on the main pad of her foot to extend her claws.

The National Cat Groomers of America recommends cats get a bath and blown dry every 4-6 weeks to keep their coats from getting matted or pelted.

Cats don’t usually need baths, but there are some exceptional circumstances. If they’re rolled in something that they can’t wash off themselves, or they have long hair which has become matted, a bath might be a good idea. Most cats really dislike baths and they can find the experience very stressful.

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