How often should I trim my cat's nails?

Question

And is it very hard to do it yourself? Or should I just fork over the money and take him to a groomer?

Answer 1

I've always trimmed my cats nails myself. You could send him to the parlour, but I think that this is unneccesary stress on the cat. Besides, if you spend time looking after him, it becomes a good opportunity to bond!

It is fairly easy, no less difficult than bathing them! You don't mention if your kitty is young or not, but either way, this is what I recommend. Play with him until he is exhausted. Wait until he's passed out somewhere cosy. Approach him, stroke him and speak softly. then, take his paws in your hand and squeeze the pads so that his nails come out. My cat actually enjoys the sensation, and will spread his paws further open! If he is still dozy and doesn't mind you pushing on his pads, you can now take the clippers and cut just the tips of his nails off. It's easy to see where you shouldn't cut, as their nails look like ours. There is a dead white tip (the part you need to trim) and further in, you will see that it is no longer transparent, and is pink (living tissue) be very careful not to cut into the quick as this will cause bleeding and may lead to infection! I've been clipping his claws, cleaning his ears, and bathing him myself since he was a kitten, so he's used to it.

I've just recently gotten a female from the SPCA, who is already 1 yrs old. I don't know whether she's been groomed by her previous owners, but we had to clip her claws as they were extremely sharp - and I didn't want her hurting my resident baby. The easiest way then is to have someone hold the cat against them, with the cats paws draping over the person's shoulders. If the person stands with their back to you, holding the cat, it's easy to go paw by paw and trim what needs to be trimmed!

You need to keep an eye on your kitty's paws - by squeezing on his pads around once a week to see whether his nails have grown back yet. Not only will you then know when it's time for another trimming, he will get used to you playing around with his paws and each time you trim it will get easier and easier!

Answer 2

I would prefer to trim my cats' nails once a week, but I never let more than two weeks pass. How hard it is depends upon your confidence with handling your cat and your cat's disposition. I have read this question before on Answers and a lot of people suggest that you get someone to help you. I have always done it by myself. I started doing it when I first got them when they were a year old. I usually wait until they are sleeping and then I go and speak softly to them, give them a few pets and gently pick up their paw in my hand while pressing gently on the front part so that their nail extends out. Be careful that you do not cut too deeply. If this is something you have never done, then it might be a good idea to take them to your vet and ask him or her to show you how to do it. That is also what I did and that is how I learned to trim their nails.

Answer 3

Inside or outside cat is the first question? #2 if inside, go to the groomer, cus try please try to trim them the first time and you WILL spend the monies the second time, after you go to the ER getting the cuts stitched up UNLESS you have a very very very (1 more time) very calm cat. Yeah right like that happens especially for the nail trim.LOL,LOL,LOL,LOL,

Answer 4

Don't do it yourself unless you are familiar with the cuticles of a cat or any animal. Their nails have a tissue, membrane or fissure that extends into the nail/claw, you could actually cut off her/his fingers/claws if you don't know how close to cut.

Leave this to a professional pet groomer.

Answer 5

The groomer told me every 6-8 weeks. I have not been able to do it myself, it's too difficult. On top of them clawing at me the whole time, I have to worry about clipping too deep and cutting them. I only pay $7 at the groomer, so I would say it's definitely worth it.

Answer 6

Hi, it's not hard to do it yourself, just invest in the proper clippers. The ones you use for your own nails may split your kitty's. Try to do it when the cat is relaxed, almost sleeping. You trim them as often as the sharp part grows back. this varies from cat to cat.

Answer 7

every few weeks - when you notice them snagging on stuff, or hurting you when you play with him. I've always done it myself, with a regular small, baby's nail clipper and just take the very tip off - be very careful not to cut near the quick of the nail. They advise to use a cat nail clipper, but I never have. Once you do it a few times, the cat gets used to it and the awkward way you have to hold him.

Answer 8

We get our back nails trimmed every time we scratch a human with them. We don't have front claws because Andy Kitty bit a hole in our Mommy's finger when she was trimming his claws the same day she got a big check in the mail. We went back in the carrier and when we came home, I had a big owie on my tummy and my pawsies were sore too. I've recovered nicely though. I don't really notice my lack of claws because I'm always acting like I'm scratching the woodwork.

Love and Pursies,
Angel Kitty.

Answer 9

I do it every 2 months or so, it's not hard to do it yourself, but be careful of cutting the quick (that's the little pink part of your cat's claw) If your cat fights it, you can kneel on her (not squishing it of course, but securing her down so you don't accidently cut where you don't mean to.) I have to do this with my cat so I don't accidently cut the quick when she tries to jerk her paws away.

My grandmother takes her cats to the groomer or the vet, but if you know where not to cut, you can do it yourself.

Answer 10

I trim my cats claws myself. He just turned 3 and is very calm and loving...and a smaller cat. My other cat (from the same litter) hates being held and its very difficult to trim his claws. so it really depends on the cat.

I trim the claws ever 3 weeks or so.