Tips for Trimming Cats and Dogs Nails

4 Ways to Trim Your Pet’s Nails Without Anyone Knowing You’re Nailing Them

On a recent shopping trip, I gave each of my cats a new doggy toothbrush and brushed and cleaned their teeth at home. I forgot something, though: a few hours later I received a call about a cat on the porch dragging his tabby friend down to the basement and demanding he or her have her tail cut off. Needless to say, this taught me that unless your cat is currently suffering from a systemic disease like diabetes, it’s smart to let your pet’s vet do the heavy lifting when it comes to pet care.

No longer!

That said, I still like to do a few touch-ups on my cats and dogs, though I don’t do them lightly. According to Dr. Sarah Brown, a pediatrician at New York Animal Medical Center, these are the four basic tools you need to add to your tool kit when trimming your pet’s nails.

A “Lid or Chain” to Use as a Nail Clipper

“It’s really important to have a leash or a latch that you can put your hands on with your hands, or you could get to the nail and cut off it by removing the hair,” advises Dr. Brown. “Sometimes those nails will be very long because a cat, but they’re really important in the pet’s overall health.”

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Health Care Package

In addition to a leash or a latch, Dr. Brown suggests you get an acupuncture kit — something that she can use for a permanent fix or a speedy cure. “The mini round needles are easy for us to apply and apply right now, so they will make a huge difference in the cat’s immediate health and your veterinarian can recommend what is the best step in terms of treatment,” says Dr. Brown.

The Kit is Key

She also recommends getting a sterile cuticle scissors (about $15) to speed up your work. Dr. Brown also suggests a bifocal cat or dog coat peepers. “Those allow you to have magnification,” says Dr. Brown. “If you look at the top side, you can see if it’s attached to the skin.”

The Treat

Another tip on what to keep in your purse is a treat kit. “You want to give it to your vet so that they can use it. Sometimes you have to clean and wax it, and you don’t want your pet in there when you’re busy. Just something fun, and don’t be afraid to bribe them into it.”