Tips for Trimming Cat Nails at Home

One of the pros of owning a cat is that cats are notoriously low maintenance. However, while cats do fairly well at grooming themselves, they do require a little help with some tasks. Nail trimming is one such task. Trimming your cat’s nails will prevent accidental scratches and protect your furnishings from a cat’s natural tendency to sharpen its talons.

The Cat Practice provides veterinarian services for cat owners in Oak Park, IL. Since we specialize exclusively in cats, we have put together some expert tips for cat grooming and trimming cat nails.

Choose a Quiet Place for Trimming

Make sure the room where you plan to trim your cat’s nails is quiet and without distractions. A big challenge in trimming cat nails is getting your cat to remain still and not jump off your lap at the sight of a bird or mouse.

Massage Your Cat’s Paws

Gently massage each paw for a few seconds while being careful to not squeeze. Follow along with your cat’s gestures to ensure that your pet is comfortable. This will help you to familiarize yourself with each paw which will speed up the trimming process. It will also train your cat to become comfortable with the process.

How to Trim Cat Nails

When doing the trim, clip only the white portion of the nails as the pink part is a sensitive area that contains blood vessels. Give your cat a treat at intervals between the trimming of each paw. It may be easier to get the trimming done in more than one sitting. Trimming should be repeated every couple of weeks and should not include complete declawing.

Make an Appointment at the Cat Practice

While cat grooming can be done at home, your cat still needs periodic visits with a veterinarian to maintain good health. If you are a cat owner in Oak Park, Il, contact us at The Cat Practice for an appointment. We offer full-service veterinary care for cats with free catnip and no barking dogs in the background.