Trimming a cat's claws every two to three weeks is an important part of maintaining your pet's health. Not only does a quick trim protect you, your pet and your family, it can also save your sofa, curtains and other furniture.
If not trimmed or filed down, these nails can keep growing to a point where they are uncomfortable for the cat or may even curl back into their toe or paw pad. In some cases, long nails may get torn out and cause bleeding or other problems for the cat.
Cats will typically scratch and bite to trim their own nails, but it's still important for owners to check their nails about once a month. If the nail looks short and stubby, the cat has been keeping up with its nails enough on its own. If the nail has a circular curve like a hook, it's time to clip.
Trimming cat nails may not sound like a job for the faint of heart, especially with the pressure of avoiding the quick. If you cut the quick when trimming cat nails, it can be painful for your feline and can lead to bleeding.
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.
You'll know it's time for a kitty nail trim when the claws are long, curved, and razor-sharp. The time between trimmings varies depending on a cat's activity level and scratching habits. For the most part, cats require nail cutting about every 2-3 weeks.
You will know if your cat's nails have grown too long if your cat gets their nails stuck in carpets or other soft surfaces, or if your cat can no longer retract her nails. Severely overgrown and curved nails can grow into the footpad, causing significant pain and mobility problems.
Just stick to the white safe area at the tip and if you can see the quick it's best to clip about 3-4mm below this. It's very rare to make a claw bleed as the quick is usually obvious but if you do notice any blood, stop and call your vet for advice.
Just like our nails, cat claws are always growing. You might not notice your cat's claws getting longer, as they're good at keeping them a good length by scratching.
The other style of nail clippers is called a scissors style; two blades come together, like a pair of scissors. Either of these can be safely used with cats. In fact, you can even use human nail clippers on cats.
Injectable Sedation
For some pets, oral medication doesn't provide enough sedation or anxiety relief. These kitties may need injectable sedation administered by a veterinarian during a checkup, toenail trim, x-rays, or other procedure.
Clipping Kitty's Nails
Keeping your cat's claws trimmed is good grooming and will reduce the damage done by sharp nails. If possible, get the cat used to having their claws trimmed while they are still young. Never encourage a cat to play roughly with hands or feet.
In most cases, clipping your cat's claws is unnecessary as they'll naturally file down their own nails. Active, outdoor cats shouldn't need their claws trimmed. But indoor or older cats are more likely to have longer claws and may need a helping hand.
A. The point is to get rid of those sharp points. There are actually a handful of reasons why it's a good idea to clip your cat's nails, and reducing your cat's ability to shred your furniture is just one of them.
Can I Cut My Cat's Nails with Human Nail Clippers? While it is not dangerous to use a human nail cutter it may cause the nails to split. This can make your job more difficult and may be painful for your cat. All pet stores carry pet nail clippers.
If you're unsure, veterinary clinics or grooming facilities can often apply claw caps for a minor fee.
Absolutely! Your cat will instinctively scratch, not just to keep their nails trimmed but to strengthen the muscles that allow them to retract their claws.
In general, cats should be given a bath once every 4-6 weeks, depending on how often they groom themselves, and the environment they're usually in. If your cat is more outdoorsy and soils itself while playing, it's a good idea to help with the grooming process as they alone won't be able to properly get cleaned.
They scratch during play. They scratch while stretching. They scratch to mark territory or as a threatening signal other cats. And because cats' claws need regular sharpening, cats scratch on things to remove frayed, worn outer claws and expose new, sharper claws.