15 Cat Nail-Clipping Tips For Cleaning Nails

Check Your Cat’s Nails Clumsily Before You Tidy Them With These Tips to Make Nail-Clipping a Breeze.

Every cat has its own idiosyncrasies when it comes to cleaning up after itself. In order to take all of the fuss out of the process, we’ve compiled 15 easy cat nail-clipping tips that will make the task far more enjoyable for both your furry friend and your handy work space.

1. Make sure to work the ball.

“Cats that hold the ball higher in their mouths are often more pawed and not less,” says veterinarian Marina Argas in US News.

So, if your pet is afraid of lashing out and won’t hold the ball, work up the ball to their mouth instead of touching it to the ground.

2. Clean your hands before you nail.

“I always clean my hands before I clip because the tea tree and salt water removes cat allergies. Even as tempting as the sugar may be, working the salt water through the skin will take the oil down, and the tea tree will remove fleas,” says CatLadyJune.

3. Have a skilled cat helper.

“If you have a cat who’s accomplished nail-clipping before, invite him to assist you if you tend to nail clippings,” says Davina Thorne in Ask Us.

4. Have a scooper.

A good scooper will reduce cleanup time and expand reach in areas where other things (such as cat hair, leashes, and hair collars) usually plug up the spade.

5. Let the cat play.

“We have a cat named Tabitha who loves to jump around and litterbox and bite and scratch herself while getting her nails clipped. Also a lot of cats like to let each other get their nails done by tackling the tool with their claws in play,” says Moppa White in My Pet Vet.

6. When cutting the nails, keep it loose.

If you’re going to use a sharp nail clipper, be sure to keep it as light as possible so that cats aren’t facing down the scissors, posing more danger. And if you’re going to try a more traditional cat food clipper, be sure to dip the tip in vegetable-based oil like olive or olive oil before use so that it won’t soak the paws.

7. Keep the clippers close to your mouth.

If you have an extension set on your clippers, you’ll most likely be less likely to slip on your own hand.

8. Use all four fingers on the blade.

Although some tools aren’t designed to accommodate all four, opt for a variety of different tips to try for the best results.

9. Be prepared for over-processing.

In many cases, cats will force the clippers in excess. You may have to scoop the whole nail clean away, and things can get really messy.

10. Wait until your cat is calm.

If your pet is hesitant about getting cut, cut at an ease and slow pace.

11. Make sure the claws aren’t short and sharp.

Unless your pet has always cared for their nails like a ninja, and you’ve seen the scratches you got, make sure you do a gentle and thorough trim to your pet’s nails.

12. Try a peanut butter-based paw polish.

If you’ve got a pet who usually gets too grossed out by nail clipping, try a peanut butter-based paw polish in order to make nail cutting less intimidating.

13. Your cat may prefer running to clipping.

In the event that your cat thinks clipping is gross, it may just be a case of needing extra hand-scrubbing.

14. Remember that this isn’t killing them.

While pets may skin their paws while getting clipped, they won’t be a victim of spaying or neutering. And, if you just can’t resist yanking your pet’s nails, check the expiration date before cutting.

15. If you’re having a hard time, ask a vet for advice.

A cat with too many nails could potentially become less social, perhaps even aggressive, so it’s important to check your vet’s advice when it comes to clippings. Sometimes, the best (and most humane) way to clean up a mess is to stop by a vet who can ease into your to talk about your pet’s various needs and concerns.