Cat Behavior & Training
Trim Your Cats Nails without Hitting the Quick
Nov
You may have heard that cats have retractable claws, but do you know what that means? You can’t just cut your cats nails as you would your own. Instead, you have to push them back to trim them physically.
The quick, which refers to the blood supply and nerve endings underneath the claw, needs to be avoided because cutting it will result in pain and bleeding for your pet. Here are some tips on how to trim your cat’s nails without hitting the quick. So you can keep your furry friend happy and healthy!
What Is the Quick?
The quick is a term for a cat’s blood vessels and nerve tissue in the nail bed. Trimming your cat’s nails makes you want to stop before hitting this part of its paw.
You’ll avoid hitting their nerves with your clippers and causing them pain. If you accidentally cut into the quick, it may bleed profusely or be very painful for your pet and can result in infection.
Understanding Your Cat’s Nails
Cats use claws for scratching, climbing, hunting, and defense. Claws are made of keratin, a protein in human hair and nails. Like our own nails, cat claws constantly grow throughout their lives.
To trim your cats nails, you will need sharp nail clippers with a straight edge for cutting through thick nails; styptic powder or cornstarch; a towel; and something soft to protect your arm from scratches, such as a sweater sleeve or an old pillowcase.
The best time to trim your cat’s claws is when they are sleepy. Lure them onto your lap with some petting and clipping one nail at a time without cutting into the quick of the claw.
How to Avoid the Quick
- Use a Styptic Pencil or Clotting Agent if You Cut Too Far:
If you cut too far past your cats quickly, you can use a styptic pencil or clotting agent like Kwik Stop Powder to stop the bleeding and save your cat from pain. Be sure you don’t put anything on your cat that is not intended for animal use. If it is not safe for animals, it won’t be safe for your pet either.
- Clip From Outside of the First Joint:
You will want to clip from the outside of the first joint so that you never cut into any part of it quickly.
The Right Tools for the Job
-Hold your cat firmly in your arms.
-Pull on the nail until it is straight and then use a pair of clippers to cut off the excess.
-When you cut off the nail, keep pulling on it and ensure that you don’t hit the quick or that blood will start coming out.
-If you accidentally hit it and blood starts coming out, stop cutting immediately.
-Take some styptic powder (for example, Kwik Stop) and apply pressure to stop any bleeding.
-Apply antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) and cover with a bandaid if necessary.
The Technique
- Lift your cat’s paw and gently pull on his skin, so it becomes taut.
- Use a nail clipper with a curved blade or a guillotine-style clipper to cut off the tip of your cat’s claw, about one-quarter inch from the quick. This will help avoid hitting any blood vessels, which will cause pain and bleeding.
3 If you’re using a guillotine-style clipper, use your other hand to hold down the cat’s paw firmly while you clip its nails by pressing down on them with your thumb as you cut off each nail tip with smooth strokes to avoid cutting too deep.
Importance of Trimming Cat Nails
Cat nails must be trimmed regularly, as they can grow long and damage things. If you’re not sure how to trim your cat’s nails, here are some tips on how to do it without hitting the quick:
Position your cat, so it is sitting in front of you with its paws facing you. – Put a treat near its paws so that it will hold still for a moment. This will also distract them from feeling any pain from trimming their nails.
Using your thumb and index finger, gently take one paw at a time between them and clip off the excess nail. Be careful not to cut too close, or you’ll hit the quick of their nail, which hurts!
What If You Hit the Quick?
If you hit the quick and your Cats Nails starts bleeding, it’s time for a vet visit. The quick is in the pink area at the base of your cat’s nail. If you cut into this area while trimming your cat’s nails, you’ll see blood either pooling at or flowing from under their nail. The only way to stop this bleeding is by taking them to get stitches or applying pressure with gauze until they stop bleeding.
Informative Article: How to Start Training Your Puppy
