Tips to Make Your Cat Love Nail Trimming!

It's a wellknown fact that cats require sharp claws to enhance their climbing abilities. The nails you've recently trimmed may seem stubby, but rest assured, they'll likely be back to their pointy selves in about a week. This is just a part of their natural behavior, and it's an aspect of their lifestyle that we can't avoid.

Standard Nail Trimming Practices

Nail Trimming Frequency

Cats have five nails on each front paw and four on each hind paw. The front claws are naturally sharp and cats will actively file them down. After trimming, these nails may become sharp again within a week, so it's advisable to trim the front claws about once a week. The back claws are generally duller and less likely to harm humans, but for safety, they can be slightly trimmed. It's recommended to trim the back claws once a month.

Standard Nail Trimming Methods

Wearing an Elizabethan Collar

Put an Elizabethan collar on your cat to prevent it from biting you, or use a harness to keep it still.

Securing the Front Limbs

Pinch the front paws together, using your left hand to hold two claws against the cat's armpit.

Securing the Hind Limbs

With your right hand, grasp the hind legs and pull them together, using your knee to support them.

Inspecting the Nails

Adjust your left hand to gently squeeze the paw pads to expose the nails. Always check the blood line on the nails to avoid cutting too close.

Observing the Nail Growth Direction

Cat nails are roughly ellipsoidal, with a thick long axis and a thin short axis. The long axis is long and thick, while the short axis is thin. Cutting along the thin side is less likely to split the nail.

Trimming the Nails

Trim the nails just outside the blood line by 2mm, ensuring the nail clipper's cutting edge is perpendicular to the thin side.

Trimming should be done quickly and calmly, ideally completed within five minutes.

For beginners, it's best to have two people involved: one to hold the cat still, and the other to trim the nails.

How to Make Cats Enjoy Nail Trimming

Food Reward Method

Use special treats as rewards during nail trimming, preferably something your cat doesn't usually get. The key to this method is not to overdo the rewards. If your cat usually eats cat food, you can offer nutritional paste during the trimming process. Place the paste on the table and give your cat a small amount after each nail is trimmed.

Over time, your cat will come to look forward to nail trimming, especially if there are multiple cats. The quiet ones who allow trimming will be rewarded, fostering competition and learning among them, which will help them adapt more quickly and become more compliant.

Relaxed Nail Trimming

The key to relaxed nail trimming is timing. Avoid forcing your cat to have its nails trimmed and instead wait for them to be particularly affectionate. Cats that you've raised from a young age are very attached and need your company daily, whether it's playtime or petting. When your cat is particularly clingy, you can try trimming its nails, and it will likely be very patient.

Building a habit takes time. Start gradually, trimming one to two nails each day. If your cat becomes restless, stop immediately.

Cats can be quite pesky at times, but giving them a quick nail trim can be a winwin situation.