As cat owners, probably one of the most dreaded parts is knowing how to trim cat nails without causing a full on feline meltdown. It can be a very stressful process for both you and your cat. Here at IndyVet, we want to help alleviate the stress of trimming your cat’s nails by showing you a few tips and tricks.
One of the first things that you will want to have is a pair of small feline nail trimmers. Human nail trimmers can cause small cuts on your cat’s pads and can cause irritation and discomfort. You can find nail trimmers similar to what Lauren is using here.
One of the first things that you will want to do is find a comfortable place to sit down. Then, have your cat in your lap in a sitting position. Put some pressure on the top and bottom side of the paw so that the nail comes out of its sheath. Clip only the top (white) part of the nail. Make sure that you aren’t trimming the pink (quick) part of the nail. This can cause pain and bleeding.
If your cat is stressed, one of Lauren’s tips is to swaddle your cat in a large towel. This ensures that your cat can’t scratch you as you trim their nails. If your cat is still showing signs of distress, you can use treats or cat food to distract them.
If your cat is scratching or trying to bite you, you do have the option of calling your vet and having them trim your cat’s nails for you. Veterinarians have access to medications that can decrease your cat’s anxiety. They also have more handling techniques and staff members who can help assist in the process.
Want to know more about different cats? Check out this video on How to Give a Cat Eyedrops.