Is It Safe to Shave Your Cat’s Fingernails?

We’ve all been there — you look in the mirror, and your mane is hanging on. That’s because you’re shaving your chest hair, but your claw marks have not yet been processed. Watch out, dearest lady, there’s a hot new trend in nails. Not just flecks of perfection, yes. Botox nails!

Nail grooming has become such a thing that people are trying different techniques to make their hands perfect. Come to think of it, there might be a concept, I guess? Whatever the case, no matter what your cat does, you want to keep his paws looking as soft as can be.

According to Elaine, owner of Elaine Nails, your best bet is to get your feet wet.

“We keep our claws slightly wet and it helps it penetrate easier,” she explained. “I like using hermate rubber (for example, Buck, Misty, and Catnip) in the shaving section.”

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But even though this technique seems like the cleanest, easiest way to do it, it can get a little funky.

“On cats that are younger or taller than you, your fingers can often get caught around the teeth, and your fingertips will often not glide down as easily as you would like,” says Elaine. And even if you find your fingertips can do what you want, the dirt can still sometimes stick around. “Vibrating tools are a great tool, especially for a small cat, to help remove this,” she added.

Elaine also says that nail clippers are a very good option, especially for cats that are taller than you and had a harder time shaving. “I like the In case of emergency solution,” she says. “For a longer lasting step, I like my owner’s brief for my feet polish . . . This works really well and seals out all of the odor.”

But one size doesn’t always fit all. According to Elaine, there are plenty of tips that will make trimming your cat’s nails less painful, but the trick is finding the one that fits you best. “This depends on the client, and their cat. I like my color pick to be gentle and not too dark, even if the client needs a little white but isn’t keen on their claws,” she says.

While many of us want to get rid of all our coats, Elaine warns that you may not be able to do so if your kitty is hiding its mark. “I would not be a huge fan of trying the color off in the kitchen or anywhere where cats hide,” she says. “Also, to try and remove the mark completely, I think is a little drastic. Unless the cat has something it can put in his mouth to hide the mark, it is more likely to just run home and eat it.”

Elaine’s must-have tip for trimming a cat’s nails, though, might surprise you.

“Have your owner get your nails done on a regular basis because it will improve your nails in a couple of ways,” she said. “It is very important to polish up your claws regularly, and you want to keep your nails in tip-top shape,” she explained.

“Nails should always be cut between two to three times a week,” she said. You may find that to be even more important for your white (or, dare I say, silver and gray) cat.

“I work with a lot of large felines, so I really do recommend that when you do want to have them groomed, that you do it in the same chair and time slot,” she said. “There is so much that goes on while they are on your hands and the art of grooming in a mirror and working with real nails is still not something that you can do in a magazine or in a tutorial with an app.”

And as many of us know, green and white nails are quite often the way to go for our cuticles, but that might not be an option for your pet. “Do not shave cuticles unless absolutely necessary, unless your client or cat has a particularly special, deep cuticle,” says Elaine. “Also, go to the proper source to get your cuticles trimmed — your veterinarian, your veterinarian’s office, or a skin salon.”

Finally, Elaine recommends getting a professional manicure. “I get my nails done at a manicure studio twice a week for them and to take that kind of attention into the house is really a plus for me,” she says. “Having an appointment to get your nails done can help diminish how many times a week that it’s necessary for your pet to get his nails done.”