Always use special animal nail clippers, as they will minimize accidental harm to your cat's nails. You'll want to try to trim your elderly cat's nails around every two weeks, to be safe. These claws are retractable. For an overview of them - go to Nail Trimmers for Cats. You should start trimming your cat's nails when they are young since it can take a lot of patience to convince an older cat to accept a "pedicure." A mature cat's nails may also need more . Before starting, use your arm to gently hold the kitty close, right next to your body, where you and your pet are both facing in the same direction. This is used to stop bleeding and can be purchased at a pet supply store. Give your cat a high-value treat with every nail trim. The sound of the clipper. Hold the trimmers in one hand and the cat's paw in the other. After that, try trimming one or two nails at a time until your cat gets used to it. They are limber and agile. You don't have to do all of them in one sitting. Most cat parents dread the claw trimming process. It's best to start learning how to clip a cat's nails when you first adopt your kitty. Watch our amazing staff teach you everything you need . Be sure not to cut too short, as the nail will bleed. If your cat resists, don't raise your voice or punish her. For at least several days before the nail trim, massage your cat's front legs and paws, pressing gently on each foot pad with your thumb and forefinger to extend the corresponding nail. Keeping Your Cat Calm. The nails on the front paws are often longer than the nails on the rear paws. Use your thumb and forefinger to gently press on the cats toes so that the claws extend one at a time. Cut the claw approximately 2 millimeters from the quick. 1. If your cat enjoys interactive toys like Da Bird* (my favorite! Following these suggestions for a proper nail trim might help you give your cat a not-so-arduous manicure. I'd recommend you do it when it's sleepy at first, and reward good behavior with treats. And make sure there's a special treat for kitty for after the trimming. Don't start trimming your cat's nails until you have the proper tools in place and know how to use them. 3 Unique Styptic Powders For Cat Nail Bleeding After Cutting ) Cats are not humans and don't know whether nail cutting can result in injury and bleeding, even though are hurt when that happens. There are various styles of nail trimmers available on the market. Extend her toenails and clip one nail. Many cat owners are worried about trimming their cat's nails for the first time, either through fear of approaching the task at hand or not sure what the best cat nail clippers are to use in the first instance. Start by gently holding your cat's foot, without attempting to trim the nails or otherwise manipulate the foot. Trimming a cat's nails can be downright painful, with blood loss on both sides. Learn the . Sometimes, a cat's rear nails don't need to be trimmed at all. In my experience, cats dislike it when you touch their feet. You can start a couple of days before the first trimming by massaging your cat's paws and pads. Press slightly on the top of the toe to extend the claw outward; Clip the claw a few millimeters, without exceeding the transparent part. Ideally, it should be done once every 2-3 weeks to prevent claws from getting overgrown (how often to trim your cat's claws can really depend on the cat - like human nails, all claws can grow at different rates depending on genes, diet and more). Sometimes you have no choice but to trim… The following 15 tips will help make nail trims with your kitty an easy task. Be careful not to clip into it, because it will be painful and bleed. Someone holds / someone clips. For a kitten, you can use human fingernail clippers or small nail trimmers made for pets. If you're trying to cut your cat's nails by yourself, try resting the cat in the crook of . Never trim your cat's claws with ordinary scissors, which cut in the wrong shape and could injure kitty's cuticles. Trimming cat claws is an unpleasant side of cat ownership. (And clipping is a far better strategy than declawing.) The sight of the cat nail clipper. In cats, simply trim the 'hook' off the end. If you still aren't able to trim your cat's nails after that, it's best to just let your veterinarian handle it. Give your kitten the manicure they deserve! Eventually, as the kitten gets used to having her paws handled, you can start using nail trimmers especially designed for pets. They crush the claw instead of cutting it, so they can be painful for the cat. The time to get your cat used to having her nails trimmed is when she's a kitten. How to Trim Kitten Claws. Some cats will happily sit in your lap or on a table while you trim their claws but many require some form of restraint. Not to mention the question of how often should you clip your cat's nails and what you should do if your feline is less than enthusiastic to have their claws cut. Most cats do not need their claws trimmed, particularly if they are outdoor cats. Trimming a cat's nails is not always an easy task, be patient. Use the nail clipper correctly: Squeeze the tip of the claw to reduce the flow of . The best way to lose your cat's trust is hurting him by using the wrong tool or using it ineffectively. #4 Start trimming The best way to trim a cat's claws is by placing her in your lap and waiting until she is comfortable. Regardless of when you're starting, nail trimming should always take place in a calm, quiet location. 2. Give her a treat and quit for a while. If it is your first time trimming your cat's nails, you need to be careful only to trim the white part of your cat's nails and keep away from the pink part; this area of your cat's paw is called the quick, and it not only has nerve endings but also blood vessels. Start with one, reward and come back later if you or your pet is nervous. Start small when you cut your kitten's nails Once you and your kitten are used to feet and toes being handled, try cutting a couple of nails. However, it doesn't have to be that way. Focusing on one nail at a time, hold the toe between your thumb and pointer finger. Try to keep a hold of your cat if you do interfere with the quick. Next, introduce the nail trimmer. Stay away from. If your cat does not like nail trims start slow, offer breaks, and make it a familiar routine. Here we trim our foster kitten Marsha's sharp claws. It will allow him to familiarize himself with it, and he will be calmer when you start doing it for real. It is our responsibility to trim carefully and stop bleeding if an accident happens in the process. Trimming the Cat's Nails Now that we've covered how to restrain a cat to clip its nails, we should go over the actual clipping process as well. Too much undercoat will make your cat too warm. You might need to just clip the very tips of the rear nails. Keep in mind that cats have four nails on their front and back feet, with additional dewclaws on the front feet. So I started nipping nails at a very young age. I find those the easiest. Shop cat grooming. Image Credit: ashshkna, Shutterstock Avoiding The Quick The first step is to get some treats, make the whole experience positive and don't feel like you need to be a hero and trim all the nails at once. 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. Trim each of your cat's nails, including the nails of any declaws or extra toes. Get the Right Supplies Trimming a kitten's claws is just as easy as trimming your own nails, but you will need a special cat nail trimmer.You want to make sure that you are using cat nail trimmers and not a human nail trimmer, as using the wrong tool may result in an injury to the kitten. A 10-15 minute session should do the trick! Play with a few. But even if you start today, with an adult cat, you'll probably both get through it just fine. Your veterinarian can help you trim your cat's nails or you can learn to trim them at home. A nail-trimming every ten days to two weeks is recommended. "Nail trims are great for cats if they are getting their nails caught in blankets, or on the carpet, or if they are scratching people accidentally," Dr. Chyrle Bonk DVM, a mixed animal veterinarian at a clinic in Orofino, Idaho, told The Spruce Pets. Be careful when actually cutting claws or your cat may be harmed. Proper pet claw care is better for your kitty's health, your family's health, and your home. And don't rush—you may cut into the quick. Even if you don't clip the toes massage their feet daily for at least a month. Start by cutting the tip of the nail and go little by little, but never get to the inner pink vein that runs through each of his nails, because it would hurt him and he would start to bleed. The need for newborn cut nails is particularly true for male babies during the summer. And then cut a couple while giving the same verbal or food rewards and encouragement as before. A second is to trim your cat's nails on a regular basis (at least every 10-14 days.) I've tried everything I can think of to get them cut, first how I did with previous cats I've had by burrito-ing her in a towel. A week before you decide to trim your kitten's nails, it might be wise to start teaching it to lie still in your lap. Massage the paw, then press down gently to expose the claws. Cats are well-armed creatures who punch way above their weight. Position the trimmers halfway between the quick and the claw, then squeeze the trimmers to clip off the nail. If you try starting the process when your cat is older, it can be more difficult. Then you can switch to weekly. Do not use human nail clippers. I got Shareena when she was 7-1/2 weeks old (I know, too young. Getting your cat used to nail trimming is easiest when you start at a young age. Finally, after several days (at least) of such practice, it's time to clip his first nail. A cat is considered senior from 10-12 years of age, which is 57-65 in human years. Cutting Cats Nails Advice; Hi friends! They have sharp teeth and fast reflexes. Never attempt a clipping when your cat is agitated or you're upset. Have all your supplies ready. Since all cats are unique, you'll have to experiment to see what works best. You can also try familiarizing him with the sound of clippers. Also they all have really dark black tongues like there is a coating on it could this be oils from mum cat? I do check and nip them as needed twice a week for the first few months - after that - its a weekly check and clip on all 4 feet. Make sure it feels safe and comfortable with you. As they age, they can't retract their claws, arthritis affects the ability to reach and scratch the sheath off. The quick contains highly sensitive blood vessels and nerve endings, similar to the pink part of a human fingernail. If you cat is a kitten, it is a great idea to start with the handling and trimmer as early as possible to desensitize and train. You will know when it's time when their tiny needle tipped toes sink into your skin. To trim your cat's nails, sit the cat on its rear in your lap, facing away from you, and pick up one of its paws. Trim your cat's nails about every two weeks. ), get him tired before his nail trim. Use the scissor type clippers that you can buy in pet shops. This is likely because some cats wear down their rear nails naturally as they run and climb. There are many different types of nail trimmers: guillotine-type trimmers, human-style trimmers and scissors that hold the nail in place. And not every method will work for every cat. Moreover, while human and canine nails grow continuously, cats shed the claw's outer sheath, preventing the claws from getting too long. Because cats' temperaments and dispositions vary greatly, there is no "perfect" way to handle a cat while trimming their claws. Have your veterinarian show you how to do it the first time. This depends on the cat, his personality and the cat owner's ability to trim the nails. The time between cat nail trimmings will vary depending on your cat's activity level and how much they scratch, with the average time being 2-4 weeks. Trimming cats' claws at home can be done with the right nail clippers or grinder. Start trimming claws in young animals so that they get used to the process. Trimming your cat's nails regularly can help to minimize the damage caused by scratching. Here's how to trim your cat's nails and what you need to do it. If possible, start nail trims when they are kittens so they become comfortable with the process. How to Trim Cat Nails in 5 Easy Steps Step 1 Sit on the floor or in a chair in a well-lit room where your cat is comfortable. Clipping them may be inappropriate, as outdoor cats need their claws for defence and climbing. Smooth down the ends of the nails with a nail file (optional). If your cat is extra squirmy then you might only be able to trim one paw at a time and then need to take a break. Bleeding, pain - and possibly a scratch for you - will result from accidently trimming the nail too far. You should start handling your puppy's paws and cutting his nails within days of bringing him home, and then it's a very good idea to make it a weekly ritual - that way he can get used to the nail cutting. Get your paws on our published meowsterpiece, The COOLEST Cat Coloring Book for humans of all ages! To start, give your cat treats and praise for each nail, and know when to call it quits. Try to have styptic powder or a styptic pen on hand in case you accidentally cut into the cuticle. Choose a time when your cat is relaxed. Now that your pet is secured in the towel, with her head peeking out, you can clip her nails by working on one leg at a time. The Actual Nail Trim. Thanks in advance This usually makes them relaxed and sleepy. How to Trim Your Cat's Nails? 5,538. "Peticure" 101. If your cat is calm about this but your problem is not being able to get to the claw, try to press from to the upper part till its end, just like you do with a toothpaste, this will expand the claw out so you can see it. When elderly, you need t. To restrain a cat in your lap, use your forearms draped over the cat's neck and hind-end to keep the cat in your lap. Once the claw is out, have a look at it. How to trim cat nails is a very important part of the grooming process. When Is It Safe To Cut A Newborn's Nails. If your cat refuses to let you clip her claws, ask your vet or a groomer for help. Other tips for senior pets. "Nail trims may also be . The five-step trimming technique. For more on this, see my article "Polydactyl Cats: Extra Toes Can Cause Extra Problems.") Cat claws are retractable or retractile. You can clip a cat's nail as early 1 month old. I'll have to look for baby nail clippers. Step 2 Put a thick towel on your lap and gently restrain your cat there. Start young. Make sure not to break a claw or cut it too short. Then take the paw, gently press the toe, and clip the claws one at a time. If your cat is a long-haired breed, be sure to get all the way down to the undercoat, the softer fur closest to a cat's skin. Trimming your cat's nails may keep your couch from becoming a scratching post, but it also has benefits for your cat. (Some cats have "extra toes," and some of these need trimming or they will grow into the cat's foot. I have kittens that are scratching each others heads and mum's tummy when suckling, when should I start to trim their nails and bath them? Squeeze the handle to move the cutting blade. Summary: When to Cut Puppies' Nails for the First Time. Cat's nails continue to grow and cutting them can be a challenge for some cat owners. Trimming a cat's nails will likely be more manageable with proper cat nail clippers. If you start when your cat's a kitten, it will probably never be a big deal. Hold your cat in your lap when she's relaxed and a little sleepy, such as after a meal. The frequency of trimming is going to depend on the individual cat, but when the nails look (or feel) really sharp, it is probably time. Ideally, start trimming claws when your feline friend is still a kitten. 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