Cat Nail Trimming Guide: When and How to Trim Your Cat’s Nails

Trimming your cat’s nails may not be the most enjoyable part of being a pet parent, but it plays a vital role in keeping your kitty healthy and comfortable. When a cat’s nails become too long, they can cause pain, make walking difficult, and increase the risk of injury. Plus, those sharp claws can leave scratches on your skin, other pets, and your furniture.

So, how often should you be reaching for those nail clippers? The answer can vary depending on various factors. Let’s explore how frequently you should trim your cat’s nails, as well as some game-changing nail-trimming tips. 

How often should I trim my indoor cat’s nails? 

Most cats need their nails trimmed every two to three weeks, says Molly Bissantz, owner and groomer at Grooming by Molly. But the frequency can vary based on a few factors. 

• Access to scratching materials: Cats with access to scratching posts or other scratching surfaces may naturally wear down their nails. This means they might require less frequent trims compared to felines without things to scratch.

• Lifestyle: Your cat’s lifestyle — whether strictly indoors, or a mix of indoors and outdoors — affects how often they need nail trims. Outdoor cats tend to wear down their nails naturally through climbing and scratching, while indoor cats lack these activities and usually need more frequent trims to prevent overgrowth.

• Age: Senior cats tend to be less active, so their nails might not naturally wear down as much as younger cats’ nails. Older cats may need their nails trimmed every 10 days or so to prevent discomfort and mobility issues.

Health benefits of regular nail trimming 

Regular nail trimming offers several health benefits for your cat, contributing to their overall comfort and well-being.

• Prevents overgrown, painful nails: When a cat’s nails grow too long, they can curl and press into the paw pad, causing pain, discomfort, or infections. Regular trims help avoid these problems and ensure your cat can walk, jump, and move comfortably.

• Reduces risk of injury: Long nails can get caught in carpets, furniture, or other materials, leading to painful breaks or tears. Keeping your cat’s nails properly trimmed minimizes the risk of injuries from snagging.

• Minimizes accidental scratches: Keeping your cat’s nails short helps reduce accidental scratches — whether on your skin, on other pets, or around the house. This is particularly important for cats who live with children or other animals.

• Supports joint health: When cats have long nails that affect their ability to walk properly, they may change the way they distribute their weight, which can put extra stress on their joints. Regular nail trimming can prevent this, especially as they age, supporting healthy movement and joint health. 

When to start trimming your cat’s nails

It’s best to introduce nail trimming to your cat as early as possible, ideally while they’re still a kitten, says Bissantz. Kittens are much more adaptable and open to new experiences than adult cats. By starting to trim your cat’s nails when they’re young, you help them get used to the process, making it easier to maintain their nails throughout their life. Begin by gently handling their paws, and gradually introduce the clippers to make it a familiar experience.

If you have an adult cat who has never had their nails trimmed, it’s never too late to start. You might need to go slower, allowing them to get used to having their paws touched before moving on to trimming. 

If you’ve just adopted a cat, give them a week or two to settle in before attempting to trim their nails. 

When is the best time to trim a cat’s nails? 

The best time to trim your cat’s nails is when they’re calm and relaxed. Ideally, you can catch them right after a play session when they’re tired, or when they’re just waking up from a nap and still groggy. 

Avoid trimming your cat’s nails when they are hyper, stressed, or agitated because this can make the process much more difficult and stressful for both of you.

How to trim cats’ nails (even if they don’t like it) 

Trimming your cat’s sharp claws might sound like a daunting mission. But with the right approach, this can turn into a surprisingly manageable part of your kitty’s routine. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to trim your cat’s nails.

Gather your supplies

Start by having everything you need within reach: cat-specific nail clippers, a towel (optional), and a few treats for afterward.

Position your cat

What’s the best way to hold a cat when trimming their nails? You have a few options.

• “Place the cat on your lap or a stable surface, with one hand supporting their body and the other controlling the paw you’re trimming,” says Kim Balchios, founder of Mama Kim’s Animal Rescue. 

• For smaller cats or kittens, sitting them on your lap with their back to you can help them feel safe and make it easier for you to access their paws.

• If your cat tries to pull away when trimming their nails, get into a kneeling position with your cat placed in front of you, their backside against your legs. This position prevents them from backing up.

• For particularly fussy cats, try wrapping them in a towel and leaving one paw exposed at a time. This prevents escape, reduces the likelihood of scratches, and gives you more control. 

Hold the paw steady

Gently take hold of one of your cat’s paws. Use your thumb and forefinger to press the pad so that the nail extends outward. Be gentle but firm enough to keep the paw steady. 

Identify the quick

Before trimming, locate the quick, which is the pink area inside the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. Avoid cutting into the quick, as it can cause pain and bleeding. In cats with light-colored nails, the quick is easily visible. For dark nails, trim just a small portion at a time to be safe. It’s better to cut less than risk trimming too much.

Trim the nail

“Look for the translucent part of the nail, which is safe to trim,” Balchios says. She advises making a clean, quick cut across the tip of the nail, cutting at a slight angle. (Be sure to use cat nail clippers.) Continue to the next nail, following the same method. If you’re unsure where the quick is, trim just a little at a time to avoid accidents. 

Reward your cat

After your trimming session is complete, Balchios suggests immediately rewarding your cat with a treat and praise. This helps reinforce this as a positive experience and can make future nail trims easier.

Tips for making nail trimming easier and more successful

Now that you know the basic cat nail-trimming process, here are some helpful tips to make this task stress-free.

Get your cat used to paw handling 

Balchios suggests that before attempting a nail trim, help your cat become comfortable with their paws being touched. Gently handle their paws during relaxed moments, offering treats as positive reinforcement. This gradual approach can help reduce anxiety when it’s time for a real trim.

Create a calm environment

Choose a quiet space, free from distractions, where your cat feels comfortable. Pick a space where unexpected interruptions, like someone entering the room, are unlikely.

Experiment with different positions 

Each cat is different, so try out various holding positions to see what works best for both of you. Whether it’s having your cat on your lap, gently wrapped in a towel, or with their back against your legs, find the position where they are most relaxed and you have good control.

Talk to them in a soothing voice 

Use a calm, reassuring tone while trimming your cat’s nails. Talking softly can help ease their anxiety and let them know they’re safe. 

Take breaks if needed 

If your cat is being overly fussy — squirming, trying to bite or scratch, or meowing — while you’re trimming their nails, stop and try again later. Forcing this when they’re stressed can make future trims more difficult and cause your cat to hide every time they see the clippers.

Consider assistance

If your cat is particularly resistant, ask for help. Having a second person hold your cat while you trim their nails (or vice versa) can make the process go more smoothly. You may also want to consider enlisting the help of a groomer or veterinarian.

Commonly asked questions

Can I use human nail clippers on my cat?

Although it is technically possible to use human nail clippers on a cat, it’s highly recommended that you instead use clippers made specifically for cats.

My cat tries to bite me when trimming their nails. How can I prevent this? 

To prevent biting, keep sessions short, use gentle restraint (like wrapping them in a towel), and offer treats for positive reinforcement. Also, consider trimming their nails when they’re sleepy and relaxed.

How can you tell when your cat needs their nails trimmed? 

If you hear clicking when your cat walks, notice their nails getting stuck in fabrics, or see that their nails are sharp or curling towards the paw pads, it’s time for a trim.

Is trimming a cat’s nails better than declawing? 

Declawing is a painful, permanent surgery that removes part of the cat’s toes. It’s inhumane and often results in your cat experiencing lasting behavioral and physical problems from the procedure. Trimming, on the other hand, is a humane way to manage your cat’s nails without causing them harm.

Does trimming a cat’s nails hurt them? 

If done correctly, trimming a cat’s nails does not hurt them. Only trim the sharp tip of the nail, avoiding the quick (or, the pink part that contains nerves and blood vessels). Cutting into the quick can cause pain and bleeding.

How can you train a cat not to scratch furniture? 

To train a cat not to scratch, cover furniture with deterrents and provide scratching posts — using positive reinforcement when your cat scratches the posts. Redirect your cat to the scratching post whenever they start scratching inappropriately.

How can you train a cat not to scratch you? 

Cats rarely scratch people intentionally. It usually happens during play or when boundaries are overstepped. To prevent this, respect their space, use toys for play, and redirect them to scratching posts when needed.

Resources 

Cat Nail Trimming 101 

How to Trim Cat Claws

When, Why, & How Should My Cat’s Nails Be Trimmed?