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Cats will trim their own claws, removing the outer sheaths by
scratching on surfaces and biting off the loose pieces.
Many pet owners also like to help in this process by
clipping their pets’ claws. This is not essential in
healthy, young cats, but elderly pets will often need
help to keep their nails from becoming too long.
However, many people think it’s a good idea to trim any cat’s
claws, since a cat with clipped nails is less likely to
remove dead nail sheaths himself by scratching
furniture. Keeping claws trimmed also reduces the risk
that a cat will snag his nails on carpet or furniture
and injure himself.
You can trim your cat’s claws using guillotine or scissor
style clippers. You should begin by pushing down softly
on the paw pad so the claw protrudes. In the middle of
the claw, you will see a solid pinkish stripe. This is
the quick, a vein that carries blood to the nail. You
will want to make sure to avoid the quick when clipping.
To do this, position the clipper well above the pink
strip. If cannot see the quick, you should limit your
clipping to just the hooked edge of the claw.
In the event that you inadvertently cut the quick, don’t
panic. Although the blood may look scary, this typically
isn’t serious. You should apply a styptic powder to the
nail, following manufacturer’s instructions, and the
bleeding will stop in a few minutes.
Nail
clipping sessions should be kept short, since many cats
will become nervous during the process. You may want to
tackle only a paw at a time. How to hold the cat during
nail clipping is a case-by-case decision, depending on
the personality and trust level of the cat. Many people
approach a cat from behind when clipping nails. It’s
often a good idea if two people perform this grooming
task – one holding the cat, while the other clips her
nails.
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