To trim cat claws, is it necessary to buy the special cutters?

Question

Can you use people finger nail clippers or is that somehow dangerous or do they just not cut their claws well? I do know that if I do cut them I have to be very careful not to cut them too short or they will bleed.

Thanks for your help!

atheism -- Thanks for your concern but they don't need them for their safety as they stay in the house and are well protected and cared for. =)

Answer 1

All the reputable cat care manuals I ever read said to definitely buy the special clippers from the pet supply store. But I never did, and that was because I was too much of a chicken to trim my cat's claws really, really short. I just clipped the points off them, every Sunday, using a human toenail clipper that I turned sideways. I don't know how to explain to you what I mean by sideways. I turned them so that they were perpendicular to the floor when I trimmed his claws, rather than horizontal to the floor, the way you hold them when you trim your own toenails.

The other thing that the cat care manuals always say is that using human toenail clippers can split your cat's claw. But when I turned the clippers a quarter turn like that, and didn't even try to cut them so they were really, really blunt - but neither could they pierce fabric or skin -- and I never had a split claw.

It's up to you. Cat claw clippers are not at all expensive, but I just never bothered to buy them. Your choice..

Answer 2

You can but it posses some problems. Like you have to cut them with the clippers being verticle otherwise they will crack and split the claw, and the other is that when you cut vertically you can nick the pads of the foot. I have done bothe nail clippers and special cat clippers and found that the cat clippers are just easier.

Answer 3

Well I have dogs so I am not a hundred percent sure, but I think you are better off buying ones made for cats. Cutting your cat's nails with a human nail clipper might damage the clipper. I do not think it would be dangerous, but I do not think it would work as well. Also a scratching post would help you to reduce the need to cut your cat's nails as often.

Answer 4

I use the regular fingernail clippers on ours. Make sure they're sharp though, old clippers can squash and fray the claws, making it painful for the cat.

Some fingernail clippers aren't able to open wide enough to do the back nails on some cats who have really thick ones, so check the opening of them before you buy one. I have that problem with one of our cats, he's a polydactyl and his extra claw on the right is ultra thick and curved like a horn instead of a claw so I need to use a different clippers on that one or it'd grow into a complete circle on him.

Answer 5

Kat clippers are only around five dollars in the store and it is worth the investment to do it that way. They are especially made for cats and they will not harm the nail.

When cutting the nail be sure to watch that you do not cut the "quick". If your cats nails are clear then observe them and see that there is a pink line in them... that is where you cut to... do not cut the pink or they will bleed

Answer 6

I have the special clippers but I have also used my own people ones on them

Answer 7

Not necessary, but easier.
Make sure your clip nails,.. just the tips,.. BEFORE you get to the "curve" of nail where the "Quick" is,.. that's where the nerve, blood is and pain for kitty. Need extra person to hold cat too.
If in doubt, take to vet or groomer to have clipped.

Answer 8

Dont do that to your cat; its claws are its weapons, and it needs them to feel secure.