All you need to know about clipping your cat's claws
Whether you need to clip your cat's claws depends on their lifestyle. Cats naturally wear down their claws when climbing, hunting, or escaping. An outdoor cat therefore wears its claws down naturally and usually doesn't need help with claw clipping. An indoor cat, however, doesn't wear its claws down in the same way. Alongside a scratching post or pad, they sometimes need a little extra help to keep their claws at a suitable length. If you don't clip your cat's claws, there's a risk they could grow around and into their paw pads, which is very painful for the cat.
Clipping a cat's claws can be a challenge at first; it takes some practice for your cat to get used to it. Start practising early in your cat's life, be patient, and take your time. Make claw clipping a pleasant experience that your cat associates with something positive – reward them generously with tasty cat treats.
When you start getting your cat used to claw clipping, you don't have to do all the claws at once. Instead, begin by getting your cat comfortable with you handling their paws. Gently feel their paws, toes, and pads. When your cat no longer reacts or resists you touching their paws, try checking their claws. Once your cat is comfortable with this too, you can try clipping the claws. Practice for short periods, stopping if your cat becomes anxious, then try repeating the procedure again at another time with positivity and calm.
When clipping your cat's claws, it can be tricky to know how much to cut, and you might worry about cutting into the quick (the pink part) and causing bleeding. Clip your cat's claws frequently and just a little bit each time – this reduces the risk of accidentally cutting the quick. When clipping, you can also help expose the claw by gently pressing on the top of your cat's toes. The quick is usually easy to see; it looks like a pink triangle inside the claw. Always cut the claw *before* the quick to avoid cutting into it.
If you accidentally cut the quick, it will bleed a little, but it's not dangerous! Try to remain calm to minimise the risk of your cat becoming frightened or anxious. If the quick does bleed, there are styptic powders available to help stop the bleeding. Your cat might want to lick the claw a lot after you've accidentally cut the quick, so you can prevent this by using a protective collar.
