How to trim your cat's nails
We recommend starting to trim your cat's nails whilst they are still young to adapt them to the feeling and process. Some cats may happily sit on your lap whilst you you trim their nails, but others may require some form of light restraint.
Remember that cats have retractile claws you will need to gently squeeze the toes to expose each claw.
Most cats will have clear coloured nails which makes it easier to see the quick, which is the blood vessels and nerves that are located at the base of the nail. Before cutting make sure to find the quick and then cut at least 2mm in front of it.
Cutting into the quick may cause temporary bleeding and pain, so look twice and cut once.
Your cat likely also has dew claws (thumbs on the inner side of each foot) on the foot feet. Make sure to trim these nails too as they are not worn down by scratching posts and can grow around back into the paw pad.
Cats have a nail on the inner side of each foot called the dew claw. Remember to trim these as they are not worn down when the cat scratches and can grow in a circle, growing into the foot.
Most cats have light colored claws, making it easy to see the blood vessels and nerves that supply the claw as a pink stripe at the base of the nail, which is called a quick. You want to cut the claw to within approximately 2 millimeters of the quick.
Still confused or your cat isn't letting you cut its nails? Have a chat to your local vet clinic. They will be able to show you in person or you can book an appointment for them to clip them for you.
It’s time for you to give it a go!
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