What to watch for when trimming a cat's claws

Overgrown claws snag on fabric and furniture and can injure the cat, and they make an ordinary scratch far more likely to break skin. Regular trimming is basic home care. But a cat's claw is built differently from a dog's, and cutting in the wrong place draws blood easily — which is usually enough to make the cat resist every attempt afterwards.

Understanding the structure

Hold a claw up to the light and you can see a pink wedge inside it — the quick, which carries blood and nerves. Trimming must stay well clear of it, taking only the clear or white tip. Dark claws do not show the quick, and there the safest approach is to take a very small amount at a time, across several sessions, rather than risk one deep cut.

Settling the cat first

Most cats dislike having a paw held still, and grabbing one suddenly to start cutting almost guarantees a struggle. Start when the cat is relaxed or half asleep, pressing the pad gently so the claw extends on its own, and let it get used to having its paws handled before any trimming happens.

If you cut too far and it bleeds

If you do catch the quick, stay calm. Pressing styptic powder or plain cornflour against the tip for a minute or two will normally stop the bleeding. With neither to hand, pressing the claw into a clean bar of soap works much the same way. Afterwards, slow down and take less off each time, so the next session is less likely to end the same way.