What Length Should You Cut Cat Nails?

“How long should I snip on the same nail? I am afraid of bleeding!”

This is one of the worst questions any cat owner will ever receive. Of course you love your cat. You are giving her belly rubs, she is purring all day long, and she is always licking your face. Why wouldn’t you want to give her something she loves as well? In fact, you probably already cut her nails every so often. Well, the short answer is: you should not!

The short answer is, cut your cat’s nails at her liking, not yours. Cats have unique habits that allow them to have a large assortment of a significant number of different nail-size tolerances. While the top coat of nail is always the last we cut, this varies for every cat depending on which is her preferred type. Below are some tips to consider, and the most popular types of cat nail.

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1. Normal Nails

These are the common nails on the face or on the paws (most cats have a few). The nicks are pretty small and the length is about half of the size of the tip. When it comes to short, clean cuts like these, a cat prefers to have multiple.

2. Toenails

These can be an older and more uncomfortable type of nails that are like two sharp triangular bits, and sometimes they appear to be sheared. With good care, this nail can be painted.

3. Puppy Nails

They have the markings and most of the tip are sheared. They also have very short nails that heal quickly. Like the handle on your car, a kitten will grow these very quickly as a kitten.

4. Legs

These nails on the body are fleshy in shape. They are made from the fat and connective tissue of the paw. They are preferred to have multiple.

5. Skin Nails

These are tissue nails that are not usually textured or scrubbed. They are made of skin and tend to heal extremely quickly. With good care, this can be painted.

6. Chompers

These can be very painful and slow to heal. The tips can be nearly both toenails and toenails. Some cats may have a ring of these on the length and size of their paw.

7. Mini Toenails

These can be a third of the length of the tip. They are the smallest of the top coat variety of cats. Do not cut these in half as they are not really sheared. They will be a very bad feeling if you do. They can be painted.

This article was originally published in the August 2019 issue of Brooklyn Magazines.