can you trim a cats nails at home if so can anyone tell me how?

Question

my cats nails are way to long

Answer 1

Hi Richard...here's an instructional video by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for Feline Health on how to trim a cats nails: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/trimming_claws/index.shtml

Answer 2

It's fairly easy to do at home. You use nail clippers but you must be very careful to only cut the very tips off. The white part of the nail is the only part which should be clipped. Where you see the nail is pink, that's because there are little blood vessels inside and you don't want to touch them.

I don't do all at one time. One of my cats doesn't like sitting there while I do them so I just do 2 or 3 at a time. It is less stressful for us both that way.

Answer 3

It's quite simple. Buy pet nail clippers at Walmart or a pet store. Cradle the cat like a baby, if he will let you. Take hold of one of his paws, placing the pad of his foot on your left (if you're right-handed) index finger. Gently push down on the last knuckle of each toe with your thumb to get his claw to extend. Clip the nail - watching that you don't cut it too short. (Generally, you can see the veins in a cat's claw...it will be darker than the color of the nail...be sure to cut a few millimeters in front of the spot the vein ends.)

He may struggle at first if he's not used to it. If that's the case, you can either do it with a partner or do it while the cat is asleep.

It's a lot easier than it sounds. Promise!

Make sure to have treats for him when the clipping is done!

Answer 4

You can buy pet nail trimmers at any pet store. Follow the instructions, and be very careful to only cut the end of the nail - if you cut into the flesh at the center (the darker stuff,) it is very painful for them, and will bleed for a long time.

Depending how comfortable your cat is with being held, you may need someone to hold him while you trim. In fact, I'd recommend it.

Answer 5

Most cats can learn to accept nail trimming with a little patience and persistence. Your first step is to purchase a pair of nail trimmers designed for cats. They look like modified scissors. Stay away from the "guillotine" design. This design works well for dogs, but is too awkward for cats. Someone at the pet store can help you pick out the right kind.

Before you begin, get kitty used to having her feet handled. When she is relaxing on your lap, begin to hold her feet and apply gentle pressure to the toes. If at any time she becomes aggitated, stop and resume at a later time. It may take days to weeks for this step of the process.

When she gets comfortable with her feet being handled, then get out the clippers and begin with just a few toes at a time. Press on the top of the toe and the pad below to extend the claw. Take a good look at the claw (in good light!) until you see the pink "quick". This is the nail's blood supply and nerves. Stay well away from this inner part of the nail to prevent discomfort and bleeding. Err on the side of caution - you can always clip more later! Again, if kitty becomes impatient, it is time to stop and try again later. When kitty is good, reward her with a favorite treat!

Eventually, you will work your way up to all four feet (that's 18 toes!) at one time. I clip my cats' nails about every 2 weeks to keep them from scratching me accidently while we're playing.

Good luck!

Answer 6

i groomed dogs and cats for years and the best way I found is to but there head in a tube sock go slow and use a very sharp nail trimmer,also it helps to have help

Answer 7

just have someone hold your cat and take a nail clipper and cut the nails but not that short becuase u might cut the vain, its easy..i do it all the time

Answer 8

i meen maybe you can i heard that if you cut a cats or dogs nails it wouls bleed and you wouldnt want that to happen now would you.my mom is a hair dresser so she knows she cut my dogs nails.Now maybe you should go to a shop if you can??

Answer 9

Good luck. I've never seen a cat that would allow it without scratching you to pieces.

Answer 10

we tried to trim our cats nails...... not the prettiest site.....

Its worth the money just to let the vet do it.......

but if you do try to do it yourself....(which i strongly advise against) put a towel or blanket over your cats head..... it wont try to run as much.....and you wont get scratched .....