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How To Trim Claws
During the training period you may have to trim your cat's claws in order to avoid furniture
damage. Trimmers for human nails are satisfactory for trimming cats' claws, or you may use
nail trimmers designed especially for pets, such as the White's type. Resco trimmers, usually
used for dogs' toenails, also work fine for cats (see Figure 1). To trim your cat's nails,
extend the claw by grasping the leg in the palm of your hand, placing your index finger on
the pad of the toe you want to trim and your thumb over the top of the same toe at the joint
between the first and second phalanx, then squeeze your fingers together (see Figure 2).
When you do this you will find that the toenail and first phalanx come into view and will
remain extended until you release your fingers. If you do this in good light and your
cat's claws are not darkly pigmented, you will be able to see the pink dermis (the quick).
Cut the nail just beyond the point where you see the dermis end (see Figure 3).
If you cut into the dermis, it is painful to the animal, and some bleeding will usually
occur. The bleeding stops, but the pain will make your cat reluctant to have a nail trim the
next time. Pigmented nails are harder to trim, since the color obscures the quick. However,
with good, intense light you can often see the quick even if the nail is dark colored. If
you can't see the dermis, the easiest rule to follow is to cut the nail just beyond the point
where it starts to curve downward. If you accidentally trim the nail into the quick and the
bleeding doesn't stop quickly, you can apply a styptic powder or pencil, Monsel's solution
(ferric subsulfate, available from pharmacists), cornstarch, or a black tea bag that has been
moistened then squeezed out, or you can bandage the foot firmly for about an hour. A light
bandage for a foot can be made by placing an infant's or doll's stocking over it and taping
the sock to the leg with several wraps of adhesive tape applied to the top of the sock and
the leg. (Be sure the tape is loose enough to allow normal blood circulation to the foot.)
This type of wrap leaves most of the sock loose and allows some air circulation. It is best
for covering the nails of the rear feet to prevent damage when a cat is scratching an area
or to protect the bandaged foot from licking. Ointments can be applied under such bandages,
and the sock will keep the medication on the foot and off the carpet.
If you have accustomed your cat to being handled at a young age, nail trimming should be a
one person job. If your cat seems particularly disagreeable, try to accustom him or her to
the procedure gradually, trimming a few nails at a time and correcting bad behavior before
resorting to a second person for aid. Cats who are over restrained for nail trimming will
become aggressive before having a chance to learn to cooperate. An alternative to nail
trimming is the application of commercially available tiny wooden or shell beads or clear
plastic nail covers to the cat's claws with adhesive. These nail protectors need to be
replaced every few weeks.
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Copyright © 2008 Humane Society of Central Illinois. All rights reserved.