How do you clip a cat's toenails?

Question

My cat has always been an outside cat so I've had no reason to learn how to clip her nails short. Recently however, I brought her into to the house to keep her as an indoor cat and her nails have been snagging on everything--from carpet--to bedding. I don't believe it is ethical to get her declawed and I just wondered how far back you cut a cat's toenails. I know on dogs you cut to the black line in the toenail but my cat doesn't have a line in her toenail. So, how short exactly can I cut them?

Answer 1

Hi there...here's an instructional video on how to trim cat's nails (and how much in great detail) by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/trimming_claws/full_movie.shtml

Website which also provides steps and includes photos on where to stop short of the vein (aka quick): http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm

Answer 2

properly, my relatives short hair does not like her toenails clipped the two. I easily have on no account had a cat that enjoyed this. I purely carry my cats and enable them to comprehend that i'm superior than they're and initiate clipping. the front are the simplest, I rear nails now and lower back are not getting clipped.

Answer 3

There's usually a thin white/pink line, that you can see, thru the nail. If you don't trim that far back, and "nick" that line, and draw blood, you'll be fine. Just hold her in your lap, and GENTLY push the nail out, so you can see (a good lamp helps), and then trim each nail. Don't forget the "dew" claws! If she doesn't like it, you may only be able to do a couple at a time. If absolutely necessary, you can wrap her in a towel, with just her paw out .....and head, of course :-) IF you draw blood, put peroxide on it...just a dab, to stop the bleeding. If you're uncomfortable cutting waaay back, just trim the very SHARP ends off, the first time. Hope this helps....Good luck...

Answer 4

Your best bet would be to bring your cat to a groomer to get it's nails done. Groomers use special nail clippers and cut cats nails great. It may run you a couple of bucks, But I'd just do it before the nails get too long.

Answer 5

u cut ur cat's toenails w/ a clipper, and make sure that there's about half a centimeter of white on ur cat's toenail away from the pink part.

*PLEASE don't clip the pink part, or close to it. this hurts them badly, they will fuss, and u might hurt them even more while they struggle*



Or u could go 2 a groomer :)

if ur clumsy w/ clippers, go 2 the groomers

Answer 6

You must be very careful when clipping kitties nails....you know if you take kitty to your local vet most vets will clip their nails for FREE or for like $5..(the vets Ive been to here in San Antonio do them for free) there the vet can also show you HOW to clip kitties nails correctly as to prevent injury...so you will get a lesson in proper clipping so you will be able to do it yourself later on ...also important to go to the pet store and BUY the cat nail clippers before you try to do this on your own....

Answer 7

There is a nail trimmer that you can buy at petco/petsmart that has a laser and will tell you how short that you can cut even if the claws are black. It costs around $30.00 USD.

Answer 8

Just be sure to keep a little space between where you cut and the quick, the pink of the nail. You press your finger into the center of the paw to get the nails to extend.

Answer 9

Well firts you need some cat clippers. 1. calm her down and hold her in your lap. 2 press the middle of her paw well...maybe more close to her fingers trust me this does not hurt. 3 then cut to the little white line root thing just take about 2cm off. 4 if she starts to bleed you've cut to far take her to the vet. Hope this helps!

Answer 10

us nail clippers and just cut off the vary top part if u dont know what ur doing. dont let them bleed...