Cat ClawsCat claws are constantly growing and kitty will need our help in keeping her claws in tip top condition. The younger the kitty is when you start a cat claw maintenance program, the easier she will tolerate it. If you don’t keep her claws trimmed, the claws will grow too long and may cause her to walk on the sides of her toes or feet. This can lead to her developing joint problems.Having a scratching post for kitty to use will help in maintaining her claws. Because scratching posts help kitty shed her nails, you may not need to clip her nails quite as often. Having a scratching post also helps to prevent kitty from scratching your furniture to maintain her claws. Depending on whether your cat is an indoor cat or an outdoor cat will also determine how often you will need to trim her claws. An indoor cat will need her nails groomed more often than the outdoor cat. In summer you may find yourself trimming her claws weekly. In winter they may only need to be trimmed every 2 to 3 weeks. Trimming actually reduces the amount of scratching a feline does. Cats usually have 5 claws on each front paw and only 4 on each back foot. The 5th claw on the front foot also needs to be trimmed. Take kitty’s paw and place your thumb on top of her paw with the rest of your fingers under the paw. Gently press on the pod on the bottom of her foot to expose her claws. ToolsAll that is needed is some good light, sharp clippers, preferably cat clippers and styptic powder. Additional tools to consider but not always necessary are some cat treats and a towel. Never use ordinary scissors to trim kitty’s nailsTrimming Kitty's ClawsStart by relaxing your kitten. Let her get comfortable with you touching her paws. Make sure you massage the paws and press out the retractable claws so she gets used to you doing so. Remember to praise her and if necessary give her some cat treats before, during and after the session.
With the clippers in the other hand, gently expose the retractable claws by pressing on the pad on the bottom of her paw. Press down on the clippers and snip the claw. Now continue doing the same to the remaining claws.
If kitty is not willing to let you clip her claws, it may be necessary to wrap her in a towel. This would be to protect yourself as well as control her while you are trimming her claws. When wrapping her up, only her head and one front paw should be showing. Next proceed with trimming her claws. Wrap the finished paw and unwrap the next one to continue trimming until all the cat claws are done.
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When you clip the claw, avoid the pink portion of the claw (the quick). If the pink portion or the quick is nicked, it will bleed and be quite painful. Apply the styptic powder to stop the bleeding. Wait a day or two before trying to trim her nails again.