Hold hands (er, paws) Some cats do well with no restraint at all, but most cats need to be held firmly but gently to make sure that no one gets hurt. If you're trying to cut your cat's nails by yourself, try resting the cat in the crook of one arm while holding one paw with the other hand.
Just like the pink part of a human fingernail, the quick is very sensitive; cutting into this area will likely cause bleeding and pain.
The quick contains the nerves and blood vessels of the nail. If the quick is clipped, it causes a lot of pain and bleeding. Injury is most likely the reason your cat hates getting their nails trimmed; once they feel that pain, they know what to avoid. A well-trained cat will not mind getting its nails trimmed.
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.
Hold the paw in one hand and press down to extend the nail. Then, carefully place the clippers at the tip of the nail and make a clean cut. Never rush. Always cut vertically, never horizontally.
Scratching – Cats nails are always growing, and scratching is an instinctive act that keeps the nails trim and sharp. Marking Territory – Cats have scent glands in their paws, and will scratch as well as urinate to help them mark their territory outdoors and keep other strange animals away.
They also scratch to trim their nails. Outdoor cats probably use some tree around. However, your cat is an indoor cat, a scratching post may come in handy. And if you do not have a scratching post … well, then you will find it difficult to stop your cat scratching the sofa - regardless of your opinion about that.
Place your hand underneath the body behind the forelimbs. Use your fingers to hold the limbs together, with one finger in between the forelimbs. Use your arm to gently hold the cat against your body, this will help prevent the cat from wriggling.
For the most part, cats require nail cutting about every 2-3 weeks. Mature cats usually need more frequent nail clippings than kittens. Make sure you provide a scratching post to support your cat's instinctive urge to claw and to keep those nails trimmed between clipping sessions.
For your cat, clipping his tips can prevent painful broken claws that can result when a sharp tip gets caught in the carpet. And yes, having those claws a little less lethal will reduce the damage should your fashion-conscious cat decide to give the corner of your sofa a hip new “distressed” look.
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. All this scratching can cause a lot of damage to furniture, drapes and carpeting!
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.
If your cat's claws get too long, they can start to curve and grow into their paw pads causing a lot of pain and problems for your kitty. It's best to keep an eye on your cat's claws so you know if they're starting to get too long and if you suspect they've grown into the pad, it's best to call your vet for their help.
In general, cats prefer to be stroked along their back or scratched under the chin or around the ears. Paws, tails, their underbellies and their whiskers (which are super sensitive) are best avoided.
Cats CAN learn to understand that their claws hurt you if you let them know gently. But a cat's claws are naturally sharp and are a necessary part of a cat. They don't think about using them, they're just there.
They're soft, small, and just unexplainably adorable. But there is a reason why most cats don't like their paws touched: their paws are extremely sensitive. Cat paws contain large concentrations of nerve receptors, turning your cat's cute paws into finely tuned sensory organs.
Ring Grip. Cats amendable to minimal restraint can be held using a “ring-grip” just below the chin, with your body behind the cat to prevent him from backing up. Ensure that your ring-grip is not a closed circle around the neck; it is essential that you do not apply pressure especially to the trachea.
International Cat Care is against the use of scruffing as a method of restraint, because of the stress and distress it can cause to cats.