How do I clip my cats nails and not hurt them?

Answer 1

Hi Jessica...Here's a step-by-step video by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine on how to trim your cats nails which should be done every 10-14 days: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/trimming_claws/

Here's also a website which shows photos as well as give instructions on how to trim a cat's nails: http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm

Answer 2

You'd be seriously wasting your time to take your cat to the vet every time they need their nails trimmed! But it could help if you asked the vet to show you. I remember I was nervous about it too until the vet showed me and reassured me. You want to only cut a little off the white part and stay clear of the pink part because that's the vein and whatnot.

Chances are you won't hurt them. But cats have a way of acting like it hurts more than it does. They're going to struggle with you most likely but once they get so long you can tell the cat is relieved you've trimmed them. I generally have to trim my cat's nails every few weeks and in 7 and half years of doing this I've never hurt either of my cats. Be gentle though and if they start fighting to much it probably is better to just set them down and give them a break and come back to it a little later. I do think it's really wonderful that you did not get your cats declawed. Nail trimming is a hassle but so much healthier than declawing.

Answer 3

A cat's nails make like a half moon shape. There is a part on the nail that makes like a ridge, and there should be no pink in that area. That is where you want to clip. Also you will want to get some good nail trimmers from your local pet store.

Answer 4

Firstly get some styptic powder (or sometimes a pencil kinda thing) like this: http://www.petsafestore.com/restpo.html

Here is a good set of instructions on how to do it:
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/clientEd/cat_nails.asp

Holding down the cat is the hardest part.

Good luck, and remember practice makes perfect -- you can't go wrong with leaving them a bit longer in the beginning.

Answer 5

get them in your lap until they go to sleep and examine their nails... you will see the point is almost transparent.. then the closer to the skin.. they start appearing milky.. just clip off the transparent part.. if you go into the milky part then you will hit the nerve and make them bleed.. a little is all they need.. and if you do it.. it is alot less stressful on the poor kitty... remember the important thing is just to take the sharpened points off... not completely remove the nail.. thats the poor devils only defense...

Answer 6

Oh it is hard i know they just keep squirming. Depends on the cat.clip white part and stop at pink and if it does bleed u have to get htis special powder.

Answer 7

if you clip them they will just sharpen them

Answer 8

HAVE THEM DONE AT THE VETS..COZ IF YOU CUT THEM TOO SHORT..YOU WILL CUT THE VIEGN..AND IT WONT STOP BLEEDING..TAKE IT TO THE VETS

Answer 9

just let the vet handle it.