Nail Care for Cats

By caring for your cat's nails, you not only protect your furniture from being potentially ripped to shreds, you also help to maintain the animal's overall health, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Most cats are very sensitive about their claws, so above all you will need to remain patient when dealing with this very delicate area. Even though your kitty may find the process uncomfortable, you can take steps to make nail maintenance less traumatic.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat nail clippers
  • Cat treats
  • Scratching posts
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spend some time preparing your cat before you actually begin clipping her nails. If you simply grab her paws and start bringing clippers into position, the cat may panic and resist you aggressively. For about a week before you start clipping, spend a few minutes each day gently massaging her paws while petting her affectionately.

    • 2

      Prepare to clip your cat's claws. Position the cat firmly in your lap and softly squeeze each toe as you prepare to clip it. This will allow you to see the entire claw and easily access the tip. Make sure to sit in an area with plenty of light.

    • 3

      Begin clipping. Cat clippers come in many varieties, but just make sure that your clippers are sharp. Dull clippers can prove ineffective and cause your cat unnecessary pain and possible bleeding. The website My Healthy Cat recommends using surgical steel clippers. Make sure only to clip the tips and never clip the pink part of the nail, as this contains live tissue.

    • 4

      Clip only a couple of nails at a time if the cat begins to fidget. You can continue clipping additional nails on consecutive days until each claw has been trimmed. Do not force your visibly uncomfortable cat to sit for extended periods of time while you attempt to trim every nail.

    • 5

      Reward your cat. Give him a treat and praise him immediately after you finish your clipping session for the day.

    • 6

      Repeat the trimming process every two weeks to maintain your cat's healthy nails.

    • 7

      Visit a veterinarian if necessary. If your cat absolutely refuses to have her nails clipped, a trained vet can assist you.

    • 8

      Place scratching posts around your home. Cats need to scratch, and scratching posts provide them with a productive outlet for fulfilling this need without destroying your furniture.