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- With the correct technique, tools, and a gentle approach, trimming your cat's claws at home is not as difficult as it seems.
- We spoke to Dr. Irit Grader, DVM, assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, to break down the steps and products needed to trim a cat's nails.
- This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Karie Johnson, veterinarian and co-founder of VIP Vet Visit, a mobile vet service in the south suburbs of Chicago.
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All cats need their nails trimmed regularly. A cat's claws grow continuously, just like people's and dogs' nails. If allowed to grow too long, they could snag on carpet or furniture and tear, causing painful injuries.
"If the nails aren't trimmed regularly, what we see, particularly in cats, is that the nail grows all the way around and actually penetrates the paw pad," said Dr. Irit Grader, DVM, assistant professor of clinical primary care medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. "This causes injury, infection, and inflammation to the paw pad."
Additionally, as all cat owners know, longer nails lead to more accidental scratches on your skin and allow cats to inflict more damage if they decide to scratch your furniture.
If you've never trimmed your cat's nails, the prospect of doing so might feel intimidating. Don't hesitate to ask your veterinarian or groomer to show you how to do it. Most veterinary staff and groomers are happy to provide a quick lesson. Grader said this is something that can even be done virtually, with a telemedicine appointment. If you have all the equipment you need at home, your veterinarian can watch via video conference, offering tips and guidance.
Trim your cat's nails about every two weeks. The nails on the front paws are often longer than the nails on the rear paws. This is likely because some cats wear down their rear nails naturally as they run and climb. You might need to just clip the very tips of the rear nails. Sometimes, a cat's rear nails don't need to be trimmed at all.
Here's how to trim a cat's claws step by step and what you need to do it:
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