How To Clip
Kitty's Claws...
by Susan Nelson
Hopkins
 Very carefully, that's how!
Ideally, nail clipping
should start while your cat is still a little guy, and should
be done every two to six weeks. Kittens are
much easier to manipulate. But if you have a mature cat that you
have never clipped, then you definitely need some guidelines.
Claw-clipping tools and
materials...
-
Nail clippers. Fingernail or toenail
clippers for humans work equally as well as
guillotine-type clippers
made for cats.
-
Styptic powder or pencil. A barber's
styptic powder or pen is fine.
- Towel. Select one with a thick pile,
and large enough to wrap around your cat.
- Treat. Your buddy will earn his treat
by putting up with all that claw-clipping nonsense
Claw-clipping
tips...
1.
Start with a relaxed, sleepy cat, and work with a good light
source. It is also ideal to have someone your cat trusts
hold him while you do the clipping. (Note: Call your vet or his assistant to see if
they will show you how.)
2. If he will let you, wrap
him up with one leg protruding. Repeat with each limb, if he's
willing to continue. If he objects to being wrapped in the towel,
fold it a few times and used it as a pad to protect yourself.
3.
Support him securely against your body with your left arm, with
one of his paws in your left hand. (If you are left handed, then
reverse this.)
4. To extend each claw for
clipping, press the pad area immediately behind the claw and hold it
gently but firmly between your thumb and index finger. If you've
never done this, practice a few times before wrapping him up.
5. The goal is to clip the
nail just past what is called the "quick". This is a blood vessel
that extends into the nail. It can be painful if it is inadvertently
nicked, and it will bleed. If this happens, apply the styptic powder
or pencil immediately to stop the bleeding. Unless your buddy is
an exceptionally mellow little fellow, he may decide
that enough is enough, and you will have to stop for a few hours or
until the next day.
6. Quickly snip off the
tip of your cat's claw with the clippers, taking care not to
touch the quick (the pink portion). Cats will rarely allow all
of their nails to be clipped the first time, so it's alright if
it takes several attempts... even over a few days. Just make
sure to keep track of which claw was last. Unless your cat is a
polydactyl, with 6 or 7 toes, he will have 5 claws on his rear
paws and 4 claws plus a dew claw on his front paws.
7. Give him a treat
after every clipping session, even if it is only one claw.
The treat should be extra-special, so that clipping becomes
something he will endure for the sake of the treat.
If your cat spends a good
deal of time outdoors, his rear claws will rarely need clipping.
Outdoor surfaces are quite rough, so his claws will be naturally
honed down through climbing and jumping.
If you are uncomfortable
clipping your cat's claws, or are physically unable to do it, ask a
professional groomer.
Unfortunately, there are
some cats who are so freaked out by the whole thing, that you have
no alternative but to take them the veterinarian.
(Long-haired
cats present another difficult grooming task... see
Tips
for Grooming Long-Haired Cats.) |
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