All you need to know about clipping your cat's claws
Whether or not you need to clip your cat's claws depends on how your cat lives. A cat naturally uses its claws when climbing, hunting or escaping. An outdoor cat therefore wears its claws naturally and does not usually need help to have its claws clipped. An indoor cat, on the other hand, does not wear its claws in the same way as an outdoor cat. In addition to a claw tree or claw board, they sometimes need a little more help to keep their claws short enough. If you don't clip your cat's claws, there is a risk that the claws will grow around and into the pad, which is very painful for the cat.
Clipping a cat's claws can be a challenge at first, it takes some practice for the cat to get used to it. Start practicing early in the cat's life, be patient and take your time. Make clipping a pleasant moment that the cat associates with something positive, reward the cat a lot with good cat treats.
When you start to get your cat used to claw clipping, you don't have to do all the claws at once. Instead, start by getting your cat used to the handling. Feel the cat's paws, toes and pads. When you find that your cat no longer reacts or resists you touching its paws, try checking its claws. When the cat stops responding to this too, you can try clipping the claws. Practice for short periods, stopping if the cat becomes frightened, then try repeating the procedure again at another time with positivity and calm.
When clipping the cat's claws, it can be difficult to know how much to cut and there may be a concern about cutting into the pulp so that it starts to bleed. Clip your cat's claws frequently and lightly, this will reduce the risk of accidentally cutting the pulp. When clipping the claws, you can also help to push the claw forward by pressing lightly on top of the cat's toes. The pulp of the claw is often easy to see, it appears as a pink triangle on the inside of the claw. Always cut the claw above the pulp so that you don't cut into it.
If you accidentally cut the pulp, it will bleed a little, but it's not dangerous! Remember to keep yourself calm to reduce the risk of the cat becoming frightened or anxious. If there is bleeding from the pulp, there are blood-stopping powders you can use to stop the bleeding. The cat may want to lick the claw a lot after you accidentally cut the pulp, so you can make sure the cat doesn't do this by putting a collar on the cat.
