Never trimming your cat's claws is like never cutting your fingernails. You don't want your cat to end up like that freakish man from India whose fingernails are curling talons of horror do you? Come to think of it, even HE cut his nails in 2018. So grab some trimmers - we're going to cut some cat claws.
Meet Ernie. The subject of today's medical lesson. Ernie is a 100% purebred stray cat. A genuine feral, tortoiseshell, mutt, polydactyl cat. She's very rare.
I've owned many ( many = 3) cats and never declawed any of them. I've come close, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I try not to judge anyone who has their cats declawed, because I know how utterly infuriating it is to buy a piece of furniture that cost 3 weeks pay only to have a cat look you in the eye as it tears massive hunks out of it. Repeatedly.
Happy with its handiwork the cat usually strolls away with a wiggle in its walk, tail straight up in the air, presenting you with its anus.
I found Ernie on our front porch a few winters ago, curled up on my wicker furniture, covered in a dusting of snow. She was gone by the morning but came back every night. After months of taming, cajoling and calming I finally got that little cat into my house, only to discover she's a polydactyl. That'd be a cat with an unusual amount of toes. Many toes. A LOT of toes. Which of course means ... a lot of claws. Go ahead. Go back to the picture above and take a look at how big her paws are. That cat could take out a pot bellied pig with one swipe.
I knew for my furniture to have any hope in hell of making it, I had to start trimming her nails immediately. I was a bit worried that as a formerly wild cat she wasn't going to go down without a fight, but by the time she came to live in the house she was so happy to have a warm place to live and lots of food, she'd pretty much let me do anything to her.
So now every few weeks I wrangle her and trim their claws. I did the same with Cleo until she died. And this is how you do it ...
How to Trim Cat Claws
- Buy some cat claw trimmers at your local pet store. You can also get them on Amazon if you prefer not to venture out into the real world.
2. Holding your cat firmly in your lap, take one of its paws and push down on their knuckle with your thumb. This will make the claw extend out.
Take a good look at the claw. You'll see a dark portion in the nail. That's tissue. The quick. And you DON'T want to knick it, so be aware of where it is. If you do cut into the quick it will hurt the cat and bleed a little. It's not the end of the world, but it's not nice either.
3. While still pushing down on their knuckle to extend the claw, line your trimmers up to just before the tip of the vein and clip. You're just taking the sharp curved end off the claw.
The younger the cat is when you start doing this the easier it will be.
For first timers.
If you've never trimmed your cat's claws before, get your cat used to you handling their paws before you actually trim them. Just sit them in your lap and hold their paws for a little bit. The next day do the same thing but squeeze the paw so their nails pop out so they get used to that. Once the cat is comfortable with you handling their paws you can try trimming.
Just take the tip off the first time you trim your cat's claws. The more you trim a cat's claws the more their quick will recede. So you'll be able to trim their claws shorter and shorter as time goes by.
All of the cats I've owned have been fine with trimming their front claws. The odd time their back nails get to be so long and sharp you have to trim them, but not as often. These are a tad more difficult to negotiate, but it can be done.
To start trim your cats claws every 2 weeks or so. This will be enough to prompt the quick to recede and keep your furniture intact.
If you are bound and determined to grow your fingernails until they resemble a corkscrew tree, that's your business. Just don't let force the same sideshow fate on your cat.
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
One important step to add for a successful trim is besides having a good hold on the paw is to pin the leg into the cat's body so it can't be snatched back. Pistol Petey once yanked his foot away just as I clamped down on the nail & it's taken a LONG one- or two-claws at a session to win back his patience.
As for clawing the furniture, my newest rescue, Sugar Plum, got lucky and has her own upholstered office chair which I got for free in my bank's parking lot when they redecorated.
She also considers it her bed.
We've found just one fabric that cats can't claw through. Microfiber. It's evidently woven too densely for them to dig their claws into. So that is a requirement for any upholstered furniture we have. We have 3 cats, I clip their claws once a week, and our furniture is hole-free. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our looped wool rug...
could this method be used on a chihuahua dog? Adopted this dog 3 or so months ago and she is the opposite of what the shelter told us. Young-no- spayed-no- house trained-no-chews half her coat off-yes- escapes under a 7 ft fence-yes- brings back a new crop of Virginia chiggers with each adventure- absofluckinglutely! We are a mass of bites and nothing kills chiggers. They appear to be an alien species. backing up- her claws are really long and I don't drive anymore so if they are going to be cut it will be me who has to cut them. Anyone want a small very sweet dog? Comes with toys, food and our sincere sympathies, also hundreds of dollars of all the flea and tick products that don't kill chiggers.
Hi Judy! Yes, you clip dog's nails the same way but use a dog nail trimmer https://amzn.to/2EeYODh. Also if the dog's nails are dark it's impossible to see where the quick is so just trim the very tips of the nail. ~ karen!
Huh. My kitty, Henrie, LOVES being on her back, her choice or mine. I’ve never met a kitty that liked tummy pets like she does! She’s insatiable, I bet she would enjoy it hours on end if I could do it that long! I don’t need to trim her nails, as she was declawed when I got her.
I used to do my monster cat's claws one at a time. In other words, I'd sneak up on him, get one claw done with no fuss, then wait an hour or two before attempting another one. That way neither of us got stressed out. Sometimes it took a couple of days, but it wasn't a big deal.
Nice, clear photos, Karen - very impressive. That cat could be a paw model.
I think Dremel is a much better tool. You can't cut the quick and it will leave nice smooth nails. I have been cutting all my greyhounds' nails for years with Dremel - I recommend the cordless one because it's easier to carry it with you and use it once a moment presents itself. The corded one restricts you to being plugged it so it's not so convenient.
Every Home Depot will have one.
I do all four feet every time, for my hardwood floors sake. When my cats take off running around the house like a ghost is riding their tails their little claws can make scratch marks. I trained my cats to extend all claws when I lift them up high, then my husband comes around and nips them all down and off they go. Its so much easier I think and gives my arms a workout.
My cat, Max would assume the bite position when I clipped his nails.
If I was making him feel uncomfortable he showed me so via the pressure of his teeth on hand. So I never cut the quick and Max never broke skin.
I have a purebred Maine Coon I adopted when he was two. He is six now. He doesn't like to be brushed, much less have his claws trimmed. I always get injured when I try to trim his claws so it's a chore we both hate. And he's vindictive - he will swat at my ankle and draw blood after the deed is done. He's the only cat I've ever had that wasn't declawed. I love him but he's the last cat I will ever have.
I am going to suggest that my son get a nail trimmer like the one you have for his african grey parrot. the cat nails and the parrot nails are almost the same size and shape so it should work. Can you elaborate please on your trimmer.... i.e. why you chose that one, does it stay sharp, where you got yours etc. thanks .. Leo
Most pet stores have that trimmer. Be sure you get the cat size one! I find them at Dollar Tree sometimes. I keep one or two in the car and give them to people I train. Most people are surprised how well most cats tolerate this.
Hey Leo. I can't remember, but chances are I either got it at Petsmart, or one of the smaller pet stores. I've had it since I can remember and it's still sharp. They're probably around $10 from a pet store. I have a couple of them actually in different rooms so if the mood hits me I can just open a drawer and get on with it. Vet offices carry them too. ~ karen!
Please don’t even consider declawing a cat. It’s a painful mutilation that can cause pain and resulting behavioral issues for the rest of the cats life. It should be banned. Regular nail cutting, soft paws, scratchingosts and boards can all help direct your cats away from your furniture. If you really feel strongly about scratching, don’t get a cat.