Last Updated: 11 months ago
Do you know the right way to trim your cat’s claws?
We know that nail clipping is not an easy task, but it’s a necessary evil in some situations.
For example, you might want to protect your furniture from damage or avoid getting deep scratches.
Not to mention that older cats are not able to maintain their claws as efficiently as before and might develop infections.
So, today we’re going to teach you how to trim angry cat claws by yourself.
How to trim Angry Cat Claws Yourself
Some cats do not mind claw clipping, and you can do it without getting scratched or bitten.
However, if you’re reading this article, your cat is probably one of those who don’t submit quietly to this necessary procedure.
First, keep something in mind. Do not call the cat or try to lure her with a treat when you’re about to do something unpleasant.
Go and get her. Otherwise, Kitty will start associating your calling with bad things and will hide promptly.
The second thing is that you should try to get your cat used to nail clipping when she is young. In this way, you’re going to avoid future problems.
Unfortunately, a cat that has had an unpleasant experience with claw clipping will probably continue to give you a hard time.
But these tips on how to trim a cat’s nails by yourself will come in handy, so keep on reading.
1. Know The Basics
One of the reasons why your cat is acting aggressively while you’re trimming her claws might be because you’re doing it all wrong.
If she is in pain, Kitty is not going to stay calm, but she will bite, screech, and scratch.
Trimming a cat’s claws should be as painless as cutting your nails.
- You have to be careful not to cut the quick, which contains the blood vessels and the nerves.
- Look for a pink or red tinge at the base of the claw, and ensure that you do not cut too close to it.
- If you do, it’s going to bleed a little, and your cat will probably be in pain for a while.
2. Handle The Paws Every Day
Do you know why your cat runs away every time you try to trim her claws? Because she is not used to you touching her fluffy paws!
To remedy that, massage the paws every day for a couple of seconds.
- Do not squeeze, pinch, or try to hold the paw if Kitty is not comfortable with it.
- Take it easy and give your cat time to get used to the touch.
When the cat seems fine with the contact, you can press gently to extend the claw. Do not cut it. Release it, and give her a treat.
You want to build a positive link between your handling the paw and the food she is getting.
In time, your cat won’t pay attention to what you’re doing and won’t pull back her paw.
3. Get The Cat Familiar With The Sound of The Clipper
The other thing that freaks cats out is the sound of the clipper. So, you want Kitty to get used to its sound before attempting to cut the nails.
You can do that by using a piece of uncooked spaghetti. Here’s how to do it:
- Get the cat comfortable.
- Massage one of the toes and press to extend the nail.
- Do not clip the nail; instead, cut the spaghetti with the clipper.
- Give the cat a treat and repeat.
4. Start Trimming
The best way to trim a cat’s claws is by placing her in your lap and waiting until she is comfortable. Then take the paw, gently press the toe, and clip the claws one at a time.
Of course, if you have an aggressive cat, you might try to wrap her in a blanket.
However, speaking from experience, wrapping the cat will make Kitty more agitated and less likely to comply. Instead, try to do the procedure while she is sleeping.
- Wait until your feline is sprawled comfortably on the sofa, the bed, or your lap.
- Then gently massage the paw until the claw appears, and quickly cut it off.
- Provide a treat and move on to the next one.
- Remember that it’s okay to take a break. No one has said that you should do everything in one go.
We know what some of you are thinking. There is no way my cat will stay calm after you start cutting her nails.
Well, if you’ve already made sure that she doesn’t mind you holding her paw or the sound of the clipper, there is no reason for your cat to be afraid.
Some cat owners also mention that you can dab some mayonnaise on the cat’s nose to distract it while trimming the nails.
5. Things You Shouldn’t Do
Here are a couple of things you should avoid when trimming a cat’s nails:
- Do not start the clipping if your cat is upset, excited, or moody. Wait for a better opportunity.
- Make sure that you’re not using dull clippers.
- Do not punish the cat or force her.
- Don’t declaw. That’s a painful procedure that will leave your cat maimed for life and will probably lead to behavior problems.
Scratching posts are an excellent way to distract your cat from the sofa and the armchairs. However, keep in mind that cats scratch to mark their territory.
So, even if you train her to use the scratching post, she might still prefer your furniture. You just have to accept it and trim her nails every couple of weeks.
Wrap-Up
In mastering the steps on how to trim angry cat claws, you’ve not only conquered a challenging task but also fostered trust and cooperation with your feline friend.
Remember, patience, gentle techniques, and positive reinforcement go a long way in turning what was once a stressful experience into a bonding moment.
Your cat’s well-being and your own peace of mind are the ultimate rewards for navigating the delicate process of claw trimming with skill and care.
What do you think about these tips on how to trim the claws of an aggressive cat? Share your advice in the comment section.
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I’ve never had a cat but I do really want one when we have a house. This is really interesting, I think I’d be pretty worried about clipping their claws x
I remember when I was a child and had a cat. Never knew you could trim the claws until I grew up and had a friend who did it. Of course, it was still terribly difficult. Good advice here on how to deal with it.
Great tips here. I bet cat owners would find this post very useful. Never knew you could trim claws.
I had a cat a few years back and never trimmed her claws ever because she used to respond very aggressively if I ever tried doing it.
These are great tips! I think desensitization is key. One of the reasons cats and other animals fight so hard against some things is that they aren’t used to them.
And I thought trimming babies fingernails was tough. I would have to give the cat some sleeping pills.
Trimming my dog’s claws was something I’ve never been able to do 🙁
It’s nice to get some tips on this. I have two cats who should get them trimmed soon. I’ll keep these in mind when I’m trimming them.
It really is a pretty tricky thing to do. Tis guide is super helpful!
I have such an easy time with clipping my dog’s nails, but I can’t imagine trying to do it on an aggressive cat.
It is so good to know about this thing. My mom has a lot of cats in her house and now I can help her cutting her cat’s claws because of this. Thank you!
I have 2 cats & have had great success with keeping them from scratching furniture with scratch posts placed by the furniture. But have also used powered ginger sprinkled where I don’t want them to scratch or to keep them away something they could damage.
My cat is impossible when it’s time to trim the claws. He is big and very strong (20 Lbs.). He cries and tries to bite me … halfway through the trimming the claws … I gave up‼️
I grew up with cats and have always had cats. As a child, we regularly trimmed their claws with no problems. For some reason the last (4?) cats I’ve had as an adult have NOT been easy. These tips are great – particularly not trying to lure them with treats only to end up with the cat associating the treat with a potentially traumatic experience. I do gently massage their paws and extend their claws and they enjoy it. I will add the spaghetti trick to my repertoire. Thanks so much!
I have had cats all my life, and this last one I adopted, does Not like to have his nails clipped. The best I can do is to clip off the tops. Your advice seems worth trying since I’m at wits end.
I googled, “how to clip my mean cat’s toe nails”, and the 1st thing I read in this article is to put the cat in my lap. Haha good one.