How to trim your cat`s claws?/ Kako postriči muci krempeljčke?

Trimming your cat`s claws is an important part of grooming and can help prevent injury to you, your furtniture and your cat. In the following video Dr. Christianne Schelling and Charlie the cat demonstrate how to trim your cats claws safely and properly.

STEP 1: Restrain your cat. Sometimes you may need to ask another person to help you hold the cat. Make sure the cat is comfortable and can`t make sudden moves or move backward.

STEP 2: Take the nail clipper specifically designed for cat`s claws or use a regular nail clipper for humans. Either way the nail clipper shuld be very sharp, otherwise they will crush the nail instead of cutting it of. Experts advise that the clipper is placed perpendicular to the claw (cutting top to bottom). If the clipper is placed parallel to the claw (cutting from side to side) the claw may splinter.

Nail clippers

STEP 3: Restract each claw by gently squeezing the toe between thumb and forefinger.

Extruded claw (Photo: albanyvet.com)

STEP 4: Clip the top sharp tip of the claw, but be careful not to cut into the pink portion of the claw. The pink part is called the quick and contains the nerve and blood supply. Cutting into the quick would cause pain and bleeding, so make sure to stay away from it and clip only the white portion of the claw.

Cat`s claw (Photo: albanyvet.com)

Cat claws shed an outer sheath (like onion) revealing a new and sharp claw every few weeks, therefore it is advisable to trim your cat`s claws every 3-4 weeks. Don`t forget to trim the dew claw. It is a claw on the inner side of each front foot. You will also probably notice, that claws on the back paws are not as long as claws on the front paws, so trim them only if necessary to avoit cutting into the quick.

If you allow your cat outdoors, you may consider not to clip her/his claws to much and too often. Claws are important for all outdoor feline activities like teritory marking, defence, catching pray, etc. For this reason, I would advise only to check the claws every one and then and trim them if necessary.

WHY TO CLIP YOUR CAT`S CLAWS?

1. Clipped claws won`t get stuck in furniture and carpeting.
2. Clipped claws won`t cause injury during play with you or other animals in a house.
3. If claws are not trimmed regulary, they can grow to long and curl back into the toe pads, which is extremely painful and causes injury.