Best Non Toxic Nail Salon in Houston

Maintaining your cats’ nails can be a lot like maintaining the hair in your hair. There’s just so much of it. But if you’re committed to the grooming routine, you can be pretty good at it. Because like you do, your cat’s nails grow at different rates, some faster than others.

In reality, while we assume that getting a cat manicure is a no-brainer, many people find their nails getting the side-eye from the nail lady — some for way too long. We’ve rounded up some major differences between cats’ and humans’ nails, and we’re going to help you with the tricks to trimming them to your desired length. You won’t want to skip this one!

1. There are no “one size fits all” for cats.

Seems like a good idea at first, but really, cats aren’t all the same. Keep in mind that there may be a lot more hair on their feet than you assume. And, since it’s better to err on the side of extra than to go too short, it’s important to test to see how your cat will handle it.

Megan, a cat owner in New York City, told HuffPost that she does not try to force her cat to wear hairbands. “There is nothing worse than a cat that wears hairbands and gets bitten,” she said. “No one wants to be THAT cat.” Instead, she’ll use a third of the nail clipper for each paw.

2. If you try to trim on a regular basis, it can get old, and that could be stressful for the cat.

“It’s important to actually trim your cat’s nails when they come in for treats, to give them some of the ‘break in’ that so many human manicurists say the coats need to adjust to beauty and safety,” said Greg Luksic, the owner of Cat Attitude and Oasis Nails in New York City. “Excessive trimming often comes from not having followed this routine.”

Luksic, who gives hourly manicures to some cats, thinks it’s beneficial to “focus on two procedures” so they can adapt. Once you start looking at your cat from a distance, their nails tend to grow extremely short, he said. It can be more helpful to simply “water” them or apply a good cuticle oil.

Andrew Ignatov via Getty Images Never short-cut your cat’s nails because their upkeep is very costly and a longer-lasting option.

3. Cut your cat’s nails length at a safe and secure position.

When you start trimming your cat’s nails, remember to aim for your paw area. (If you don’t, your cat could get pricked in the spot and have some fun!) But unfortunately, your cat’s hair tends to grow too long, and it’s challenging to trim it correctly.

Luksic said that on very short cats, be on the cautious side and “carry on trimming one paw at a time.” On longer cats, “keep trimming the paw while the claws are doing it.”

4. Your cat’s natural shape is unique.

Be mindful of their feet and avoid anything that “spikes or changes their natural shape,” which could be a deadly mistake. The person on the other end of the phone shouldn’t try to adjust their cat’s toes, since their tip is very different from your cat’s, and no two cats have exactly the same feet.

“It’s good to be aware of that nuance but also to not interfere,” said Cat Attitude’s Luksic.

5. A beginner’s guide to cat nibbling: