- Cats who go outdoors or may get outside should never have their nails trimmed short. They need sharp claws to defend themselves.
- Make sure to use small, quiet, cat nail scissors like the ones pictured above. Do not use dog trimmers nor human clippers.
- Create a relaxed, calm environment for trimming nails. Wait until your cat is sitting in your lap, facing away from you, and start by spending some time petting them and talking in a calm, sweet voice. Have the nail trimmers within view of your kitty and let them smell the trimmers and get to know them, while petting.
- Start by feeling your cat's paws gently, and gently pressing on the paw pad until a nail extends. Hold for just a few seconds and release, and continue petting your kitty.
- If your cat is fairly relaxed so far, extend a nail again, and bring the trimmers to the nail to trim. Trim within the white area, and avoid the pink "quick" which contains blood vessels and is painful when cut.
- Do just one or two nails at a time and take breaks in between. You do not need to trim all the nails in one sitting. And many times, the back nails do not need trimming.
- Never raise your voice or become frustrated. If your kitty gets agitated, stop, pet, and try again later.