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How to Cut Cat Nails
By Emily Gutarra MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Read on for our guide and learn how to cut cat nails.
Cats, just like dogs, require their nails to be kept at a certain length in order to avoid injuries to their paws and paw pads. Although not all cats will need to have their claws regularly cut, that should not stop owners from learning how to do it. Read our guide for some tips on what you’ll need, when and what to do, as well as what not to do.
How often should you cut a cat’s nails?
To prevent nail lengths that could injure a cat’s paws, cat owners should trim their nails at least every two weeks as a rule of thumb. This timeframe will allow for trimming sessions to happen once the nail is long enough to be cut but not enough to poke at toe pads or warp.
However, not all owners will need to trim cat nails, as some cats have more active lifestyles than others. For example, cats who spend considerable time outside will probably need to use their nails more than indoor cats for things like climbing trees, hunting and even self defense. Moreover, some indoor cats are able to maintain their nails on their own by using their scratchers.
Owners will need to regularly check the length of their cats’ nails to make sure they’re kept an appropriate length.
Tools and supplies needed to cut cat nails
The tools and supplies you’ll need to trim your cat’s nails don’t differ much from those you would use for a dog. Some of these include:
- Guillotine, plier or scissor-style clippers
- Nail file
- Towel (to wrap squirmy cats)
- Cornstarch or styptic powder (in case they bleed)
- Treats (to reinforce good behavior while trimming their nails)
How to cut cat nails at home
Once you’ve gathered your cat nail clippers and all the supplies you think you might need, you should settle into a comfortable position for both you and your cat. The key to a smooth nail clipping experience is to keep your cat calm. If they can’t remain still, you can wrap them in a towel and keep all paws inside except for the one you’ll be trimming.
To cut each nail (including the dewclaw), you will first need to isolate and expose them by pressing on your cat’s toe pads and locate the pink part of the nail known as the ‘quick.’ Since it contains blood vessels, you must avoid cutting too close to it or your cat could bleed. Many cats have clear nails, which makes it easier for owners to locate the quick. Even if they’re darker in color and you can’t see the quick, you should only be cutting the very tip of the nail.
Many veterinarians and professionals with experience in cat grooming feature step-by-step guides and tutorials on how to trim cat nails on their websites. These might be especially helpful for cat owners who might be cutting their furry friends’ nails for the first time.
How to cut cat nails FAQs
Is it necessary to trim a cat's claws?
What to do if your cat won't let you cut their nails?
Is cutting nails painful for cats?
Summary of Money’s guide on how to cut cat nails
- Long nails can be harmful to your cat’s feet if not trimmed every two weeks or once they’re long enough to warp or puncture your cat’s paws.
- Not all owners will need to cut their cats’ nails, but all should remain vigilant of their lengths.
- To cut your cat’s claws, you will need nail trimming tools specifically designed for cat and dog nails.
- A doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) or a professional groomer will be able to help if your cat will not allow you to cut their nails.
- If your cat experiences pain while getting their nails cut, it could be a sign of a nail condition or for you to change your nail-cutting technique.
Emily Gutarra is a Staff Writer at Money Group, where she writes and edits articles on personal finance topics as well as comprehensive company and product reviews. Emily holds a Bachelor’s in English-language Literature from the University of Puerto Rico and is currently completing her Master’s in Translation. After graduating in 2020, she embarked on a journey as an editor and translator. Her interest in personal finance was heavily influenced by her experience with learning how to handle her own. She awkwardly navigated the complexities of financial matters during her college years due to the lack of preparation she’d received before becoming independent. This experience has shaped both her purpose to provide readers like herself with the information they need and how she does it. She approaches each article and review keeping in mind what she found and still finds helpful when researching these topics. Prior to joining Money, Emily contributed significantly to content creation for courses at NUC University and all of its academic divisions as part of the institution’s editing team. In this editorial role, she collaborated with experts across a range of academic areas, requiring her to immerse herself in each field. These ranged from business and finance to mortuary sciences, culinary arts, emergency response and more. As an independent translator, Emily leverages her research expertise to provide accurate translations in diverse subject areas.