Soft Claws® Trimming Advice

 How Do I Trim My Cat's Claws?
- An HSUS "Pets for Life" Information Sheet

To help keep them sharp, cats keep their claws retracted until they're needed.  As the claws grow too long and become curved, they can't be retracted completely.  You should clip off the sharp tips of your cat's claws on her front feet every two weeks or so.  Clipping your cat's claws will also help prevent them from becoming snagged in carpets and fabrics, not to mention your skin!

Before trimming your cat's claws, help her get accustomed to having her paws handled and squeezed.  You can do this by gently petting her legs and paws while giving her a treat.  This will help to make it a more pleasant experience.  Gradually increase the pressure so that petting becomes gentle squeezing, as you'll need to do this to extend the claw.  Continue with the treats until your cat tolerates this kind of touching and restraint.  It may take a little longer if she's not used to having her legs or paws handled.

Apply a small amount of pressure to her paw - with your thumb on top of her paw and your index finger underneath - until a claw is extended.  You should be able to see the pink or "quick," which is a small blood vessel.  Don't cut into this pink portion, as it will bleed and be painful for your cat.  If you cut off just the sharp tip of the claw, the "hook," it will dull the claw and prevent extensive damage to household objects and to your skin.

There are several types of claw trimmers designed especially for pets.  These are better than your own nail clipper because they won't crush the claw.  Until you and your cat have become accustomed to the routine, one claw or foot a day is enough of a challenge.  Don't push to do all of them at once or you'll both have only negative memories of claw clippers!

Notice the pink tissue (the quick) on the inside of the claw. Avoid the quick when you trim the claw; cutting into it will cause pain and bleeding Remove the sharp tip below the quick (away from the toe), clipping about halfway between the end of the quick and the tip of claw.

- Reprinted with the kind permission of the Humane Society of the United States.