Cat Nail Care
How to Clip Cat Claws

Cat Nail Care Is Essential

All cat breeds have retractable claws which they use for climbing, gripping and defence.

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!

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! So train your kitten early to desist from this behavior.

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

Next, you'll have 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.

Trimming claws is a necessary part of cat grooming 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.

Cat Nail Care Tips

• 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, making 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 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!

Cat Info - De-clawing Cats! This is practiced in some countries and 'outlawed' in others.

It is a surgical procedure performed by a veterinarian and 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. 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 there aren't too many), 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.

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Related Cat Grooming Pages:

Cat Care - an overview on the basics of cat grooming

Cat Grooming provides insights into the 'tools' required for efficient cat care

Cat Bath and tips on how to bath a cat

Cat Hair Care and 10 easy steps to caring for Longhaired and Shorthaired cats

Cat Eye Care - general eye health and details on Persian cat eye care

Cat Dental Care and tips on caring for your cat's ears and nose