How to Trim Cat Nails Safely, By Yourself & At Home
Some (though not all) cats may need their nails trimmed regularly. So here's a step-by-step guide to get started with a nail trimming routine for your cat - and how to monitor their behavior after to ensure they're okay.
While an outdoor cat’s nails are likely to get filed down naturally as they explore the outdoors, indoor or older cats often need nail care. Because if your cat’s nails get too long, they can cause injury to your furry friend – and to you too, in the form of painful scratches! To avoid that, check out our tips and tricks on how to trim cat nails safely at home – and how to monitor your feline friend for signs of pain or discomfort.
You’re more likely to get a nasty scratch if your cat’s nails are too long.
Indoor cats with too-long nails might even experience mobility issues. Which, over time, makes them miss out on their daily movement and exercise – and which might cause them to grow overweight.
Very overgrown nails may become ingrown and curl into the paw pad, which can lead to infection. And that means pain, and likely medication for your cat.
But here’s the good news: figuring out how to trim cat nails is easier than it might seem. Let’s get started.
Overview: How to trim cat nails
Let’s start by admitting: most cats don’t like having their nails trimmed. While some might be more easygoing about it, you might need to gently restrain others to get them to comply.
💡It’s why we’d always recommend you trim your cat’s nails when they’re still young – to get them used to the process.
Here are a couple of tips on how to trim cat nails safely:
Trim your cat’s nails with their paws relatively close to their body, in a position that feels natural to them. If you pull their paw out too far, their instinct will be to pull it back in.
Using cat nail clippers or regular nail clippers, trim your cat’s nail at the tip – do NOT cut the quick (that’s the pink section of the nail). This can cause your cat pain.
Don’t do it all in one go – aim to trim one nail a day until all nails are trimmed.
Reinforce your cat’s behaviors (with pets, praise, and treats) when they comply.
Do all cats need their nails trimmed?
Not quite. Most cats do not need their nails trimmed1, especially outdoor cats. However indoor, arthritic, and older cats can all benefit from having their nails trimmed regularly, as they don’t get as much exercise or as many natural nail-filing opportunities as other cats.
Besides, indoor cats might be more likely to scratch your furniture – as a way to stretch or get a bit more exercise. So keeping their nails trimmed can help protect your latest IKEA masterpiece or that gorgeous new curtain set or carpet you’ve just bought.
💡When in doubt, ask your vet if your cat’s nails need to be trimmed – and the best way to go about it. So you can make an informed decision whether you can trim your cat’s nails at home. (Or if it’s better to leave some jobs to the pros.)
How often to trim cats nails?
Check your cat’s paws and nails regularly to make sure there’s no signs of cuts, swelling, infection, injury or splinters. You can trim cat nails once every 10-14 days, or a bit longer if you notice they’re still relatively short2.
If you can hear your little buddy’s nails tap-tap-tapping on the floor as they totter by, it’s definitely time for a nail trimming. Doing so will help you prevent any mobility-reducing issues for your cat in the long run.
How to trim cat nails: Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Get timing & setting right
The best is to start trimming your cat’s nails when they’re still a kitten, so that they get used to it. This will make things easier over time.
Once you’re ready to start, do your best to ensure your cat is in as relaxed an environment as possible.
Find a calm place to trim your cat’s nails, away from loud noises or distractions (such as other animals, or birds outside the window).
Trim your cat’s nails when they are sleepy, or after they’ve enjoyed a nice meal. (To ensure they’re in a good mood.)
Let your cat sit on your lap, be gentle with them, and have some treats on hand.
Because when you think of how cautious cats tend to be, you want to ensure they build a positive association with the nail trimming process.
Step 2: Define the cutting range
Once your cat is relaxed and sitting on your lap:
Gently lift up one of their paws – and be careful not to move your little buddy too much.
Press a toe pad between your cat’s fingers to expose the nails, like in the image below:
This helps to take a closer look at claw anatomy to make sure you understand how best to trim a cat’s nails. Mainly, you’ll want to be able to identify the three key parts:
The sheath, the outer layer which cats regularly shed off by scratching
The quick, the inner “pink” bit full of nerves and blood vessels
The claw, the sharp bit we’re all familiar with
This graphic might help you better picture it:
⚠️WARNING: Do NOT trim into the quick, the pink part which holds nerves and blood vessels. This can cause your cat a great deal of pain.
In the illustration below, you can see where it is safe to cut your cat’s nails – towards the bottom of the nail, and closer to the tip.
Do not cut into the pink area, or you could expose your cat to bleeding and infection. It’s better to trim just a little bit than to risk cutting them at the quick.
Step 3: Trim cat nails
Gently clip the tip of one nail, release your cat’s paw, and reward them with a treat.
If your cat doesn’t seem bothered, you can trim a few more nails.
With some cats, trimming just one nail a day may be the best you can do.
As a general rule: less is more. It’s always better to ensure your cat’s safety and wellbeing (and trust in you) than try and get it all done at once.
⚠️ If your cat is agitated or upset, do not attempt nail trimming. Similarly, do not get upset or punish your cat if they are not cooperating – just try again another time, or ask a professional for help.
The sharper the nail clippers, the smoother the trimmed nail will be. After clipping your cat’s nails, you can file the nail down to prevent snagging.
Step 4: Reward your cat
After trimming, be sure to reward your cat with a treat, their favorite cat food, or plenty of petting and sweet words. That way, your cat may just begin to tolerate the nail cutting process. They might not ever grow to love the process – but they certainly can build a tolerance with time. (And trust in you.)
Step 5: Repeat
Since most cats don’t enjoy having their nails trimmed, you may need to repeat these steps each day until you’ve trimmed all of your cat’s nails. Remember to have patience, reward your cat for good behavior, and try to make the process comfortable for you both.
Cat nail bleeding: What to do if you accidentally cut too short?
In case you cut your cat’s nail too short and it starts to bleed, stay calm. To stop the bleeding, apply a styptic powder, silver nitrate stick, or cauterizing powder.
(Not sure what these are? No worries. Someone at a pet store or pharmacy can guide you in the right direction.)
Don’t have any of those at home? In a pinch, you can also try using baking powder, flour, or a bar of soap to stop the bleeding. In any case, make sure to visit your vet to have the wound treated professionally.3
Most importantly, give your cat all the hugs and treats in the world to help them overcome their discomfort.
How to trim a squirmy cat’s nails
Cat squirm away just as you’re ready to start trimming?
You can restrain your cat by holding them on your lap, belly facing downwards, and head facing to your side.
Rest your forearms gently but firmly on their neck and behind. So you can hold them still while trimming the cat nails with your dominant hand.
My cat won’t let me trim nails – what should I do?
Since many cats do not like getting their nails cut, or are not used to the process, it may not be easy to cut your cat’s nails yourself. Your cat might try to squirm away from you, or worse – bite or scratch.
If you’ve already tried the steps above with a lot of patience, love and care, and it’s still not working, seek professional assistance. You could ask your vet to trim your cat’s nails, or look for a cat nail trimming service near you.
Remember, you’re not the only one – in fact, it’s quite the accomplishment being able to trim a cat’s nails!
Other signs your cat might be struggling with discomfort
Keeping an eye on your cat’s behavior is crucial while nail trimming – but also after. If you’re doing it for the first time all by yourself, there’s always some room for error. And the worst part? Your cat might be more likely to mask signs of injury, discomfort, or pain – or hide away from you to handle it by themselves.
(Why? It’s just their evolutionary instincts. A sick or injured wild cat would be easy prey in the wild. So even lions, leopards, and tigers tend to retreat into safe, secluded spots to manage any injuries alone.)
Which is why it makes sense to keep an eye out for the more subtle signs your cat might be struggling with discomfort. Including:
Hiding behavior. If your cat suddenly seems MIA right after their nail trimming session, it might be due to some discomfort or pain.
A drop in your cat’s regular activity. If your cat seems more reluctant to walk around, jump, or play, they could be struggling with a nail that’s cut a bit too close to the quick. Keep an eye out for limping or an unsteady gait.
Vocalization. Your cat might meow or even cry to draw your attention to their pain. Or, if they’re a bit more on the independent side, they might even hiss at you when you try and approach them.
So here are two ways you can keep track of your cat’s discomfort:
By staying on top of their favored hiding spots,
and tracking their regular activity.
Track your hiding cat – both indoors or outdoors
Now unless you’re 100% vigilant round the clock, it’s going to be a bit cumbersome keeping tabs on your cat’s location 24/7. Which is where a dedicated cat GPS tracker can work wonders.
The Tractive GPS, for example, helps you track your cat in real-time and across an unlimited range. So with just a glance at your phone, you can always stay on top of where your cat might’ve gone to hide.
Here are a couple of other ways your Tractive device can help you understand your cat’s behavior:
Figure out your cat’s favorite hiding spots with Tractive’s Heat Map and Location History. For example, your cat might be more likely to hide in a neighboring barn or some other secluded spot.
Prevent your cat from wandering away by setting up a “safe zone”. Your Tractive Virtual Fence sends you an immediate alert to warn you that your cat has sneaked past it.
Know everywhere your cat goes
See where they are in real-time, no matter how far they go. Get alerts if they roam too far home. Find out where they’ve been and discover their favorite spots. Let others track with you.
“Tractive is my #1 recommendation when it comes to cat trackers. It’s specifically designed for tracking cats so you are sure that it is safe for your cats to use.”
– Clair Chesterman, Owner of CFA and CCA-registered cattery and fostering company, FluffyMeowPaws3
Monitor your cat’s daily activity – and catch on to a health issue early
Indoor cats or senior cats might get a bit less movement than outdoor ones. Which, in the long run, can negatively impact their health and wellbeing. But with regular activity tracking, you can stay motivated to ensure they’re getting enough exercise. Most importantly, tracking your cat’s daily movement can help you catch on to a drop in your cat’s regular activity.(Which can indicate a health issue or injury.) So you can take action before it worsens by getting them to a vet right on time.
Your Tractive device includes a built-in motion detector and accelerometer. Which picks up on your cat’s movements throughout the day – no matter where they’re off roaming.
So with just a glance at your phone, you can quickly and easily pick up on a dip or a spike in your cat’s active minutes. For example, your cat might be more lethargic than usual – which shows up as a drop in their active minutes. (And which can indicate a sickness or injury.)
With a little vigilance, you can stay on top of your cat’s health and wellbeing – and keep them happier and healthier for the long term.
Tractive’s Activity Tracking has even saved the lives of cats around the world. Like Poes, an outdoor cat who seemed normal and healthy – until her mum caught on to a change in her regular activity:
“With the Tractive GPS, I found out one night that she’d only made one little trip to the park, slept all night – and didn’t really do much during the day.
So I decided to check her up to see if she was sick – or had something else going on. When I picked her up, the pus oozed over my hand from the abscess bursting!
Without Tractive, I wouldn’t have noticed it at all. I would still see her walk around to drink and feed and think everything is okay. I might only have noticed when I didn’t see her stroll over for a whole day.
At which point, she’d probably have been dangerously sick.
We went to the vet a few hours later – she had a serious fever, a big abscess, and was pretty sick already. So we got it in time.
A whole week of antibiotics – and now she’s herself again.
Tractive is also very handy for when you need to give your pets their medication. All I have to do is check where she is and call her over to give her the antibiotics.“
“It can be easy to miss out on changes in your dog’s or cat’s regular activity – or just if they’re on the move more or less than usual. So we’ve set up Activity Degradation alerts for when your pet’s active minutes drop significantly. They can help you intervene in a situation where your pet might be struggling with an infection or even just pain.”
– Sebastian Raab, Product Manager at Tractive & occasional pet-sitter
Stay on top of your cat’s safety & wellbeing – nails, health, and all
Now that you know how to monitor your cat’s signs of discomfort – trimming their nails might just be no biggie. Just remember to:
Start early. Ideally, you familiarize your cat with nail trimming from their kitten years, so they get used to it.
Get your cat comfortable in a familiar, relaxed environment. (With plenty of treats for their good behavior.)
Start slow and make sure you only cut into your cat’s claw area. Avoid the quick, since it contains blood vessels. (Which can cause your cat pain or make them bleed.)
Go one nail at a time. Some cats might not mind more, but less is always more. Plus, your cat’s comfort comes first.
Bleeding nail? Use a styptic powder, cauterizing powder, or baking powder to reduce some damage. Else, get in touch with a vet immediately.
Monitor your cat after for any signs of limping, pain, or discomfort. Your cat might hide to manage their pain alone. Or they might be less active than before due to the discomfort.
With a Tractive GPS securely fastened against your cat’s collar, you can stay on top of their hiding behaviors and track their activity levels. Which can help you pre-empt a health condition before it worsens – and get your cat to a vet right on time.
Want to see what the cat nail trimming process looks like? Check out the vet tutorial video below.
And if you’ve found this post useful, share it with a fellow cat parent – and make their day!
