Dealing with the Dreaded Nail Clipping

As a responsible pet owner, you don’t want to declaw your cat, because she’d no longer be able to defend herself if she needed to. However, as a lover of your home and furnishings, you probably already realize the importance of keeping your cat’s claws under control. But who wants to pay the high price of getting their cat’s nails clipped professionally?

There are only a few secrets to successfully overcoming the dreaded nail clipping and other cat grooming practices without breaking your budget. With proper training, patience, and care, your cat may even come to enjoy the treatment. The secret is in making your cat comfortable.

When you first get your cat – whether grown or a kitten – is the best time to train her. Pet her paws gently throughout the course of your normal interactions, as this will train her that petting her paws is normal for you, and therefore, she won’t jump up and run away when you deal with her claws later.

Make sure that your cat has become completely comfortable with you playing with her paws before you attempt a nail clipping. Purchase nail clippers that are especially made for cats, as well, as this will help you cut them in the proper manner to avoid fraying or splitting. You should also keep antiseptic powder or an antiseptic pencil on hand just in case you damage the quick. Additionally, you’ll want to purchase a treat that will be given only after nail clipping.

The best time to try your first nail clipping is when your cat is already relaxed – possibly when she’s ready to sleep. As your cat gets used to the procedure, it will be possible to clip her nails at other times as well, as long as the cat is calm. Pet your cat until she reaches this stage, and you’re ready to begin.

Gently press on the paw pad to extract the nail. Using the special clippers, clip the nail about half way between the tip and the start of the pink area, known as the quick. This way, you’ll avoid injuring her by cutting the quick.

Don’t worry if you aren’t able to clip all of your cat’s nails in one sitting. It’s very rare to do so. In most cases, one paw at a time is the most you’ll be able to accomplish. If you can only get to one or two nails each day, you’ll still manage to trim all of your cat’s nails every week.

You should also avoid trimming the back claws, as these are well maintained by cats themselves and rarely need assistance. They’re also much more difficult to handle. If your cat’s back claws do need to be trimmed, go ahead and ask the vet to do this. They shouldn’t need to be done more than a few times each year.

After you’re finished with the clipping session, give your cat a special treat for allowing the invasion. This will make them more amenable to letting you do it again in the future. The treat should be something they’ll really enjoy, but only receive after a nail clipping. This training will further reinforce the routine of nail clipping, making it a pain-free, easy process.