Cat Care guide

How to trim your cat's nails (claws)

Press the paw pad to extend each claw, trim only the clear tip in front of the pink quick, and do one claw at a time with a treat after each. Many cats keep their own claws short; trim only when they are too long.

Written with AI; sources checked by automated review on ; not reviewed by a veterinarian. How we write and check these pages

A relaxed tabby cat resting on a folded cream towel.

Stop and call your vet if

  • A claw has grown round into the paw pad, often in older cats; call your vet rather than cutting it out yourself. 23
  • You can see blood or swelling in a toe. 2
  • A claw bleeds after trimming: stop and call your vet for advice. 2
  • Your cat fights being held: stop, and ask your vet for help or a demonstration rather than holding harder. 31
  • An older cat cannot pull its claws in, or seems sore when scratching: arthritis may be the reason. 2

In a hurry? Pet emergency: who to call now

A relaxed tabby cat resting on a folded cream towel.

What you need

  • Cat nail clippers or cat nail scissors 123
  • Your cat's favourite treats 23
  • A towel or soft blanket, and cushions where your cat might jump down 32
  • Cornflour or styptic powder 13

Don't use

  • Scissors made for paper, or human nail clippers: they can squash the claw and make it split. 12

Where to cut

Claw extended by pressing the toe pad, seen from the side

  1. Press the pad to extend the claw
  2. The quick (pink, nearest the toe)
  3. Trim here: the clear tip only
  • Extend the claw with gentle pressure on the pad; the pink quick shows near the toe.
  • Cut only the clear, white tip, leaving a margin in front of the pink.
  • On a dark claw, cut where the claw curves or hooks downward.

This diagram has not yet been checked by a vet. It is drawn from the sources below. 123

Step by step

  1. Get your cat used to it

    For a few days before, gently touch your cat's paws and give a treat while it stays calm; stop whenever your cat looks uncomfortable, and let it sniff the clippers. 23

  2. Settle on your lap

    A relaxed tabby cat resting on cream fabric with a hand gently on its back.

    Settle your relaxed cat on your lap in a quiet room, using as little restraint as possible; a helper can stroke it and give treats while you trim. 123

  3. Extend the claw

    Hold the paw and press gently on the top and bottom of the toe pad so the claw slides out and you can see exactly where you will cut. 32

  4. Find the pink quick

    Find the pink quick near the toe, which holds a small blood vessel; cut only the clear white tip in front of it and never into the pink. 123

  5. Make a small cut

    Close the clippers from top to bottom rather than side to side so the claw does not splinter; several small cuts are better than one large one. 3

  6. One claw, one treat

    A cat sniffing a treat offered on an open palm.

    Trim one claw, give a treat, then do another if your cat is still happy; stop straight away if it tries to leave, and finish another day. 23

  7. Front dewclaws

    Remember the dewclaws higher up on the front paws; most cats have five claws on each front foot and four on each back foot. 1

If something goes wrong

  • If a claw bleeds, don't panic: dip it in cornflour or hold cotton wool around it until it stops, then call your vet for advice. 12

How often

Outdoor, active cats usually wear their claws down. Indoor and older cats may need a trim every two to four weeks; trim only when the claws are too long, for example catching on carpet or showing when the paw is at rest. 32

One paw a day

It can take several weeks to build up to a full trim in one sitting. That is normal; short, pleasant sessions keep future trims easy. 32

Trimming is not declawing

Trimming takes off only the dead tip. Claws matter to cats for climbing and scratching; declawing is illegal in the UK. 2

Scratching posts

Several scratching posts, vertical or flat, plus play and a healthy weight help a cat keep its own claws in shape. 23

Sources

  1. How to clip your cat's claws, PDSA (UK veterinary charity; written by vets and vet nurses). Checked .
  2. Vet Q&A: How do I trim my cat's claws?, PDSA (UK veterinary charity). Checked .
  3. How to Trim a Cat's Nails, VCA Animal Hospitals. Checked .

Written with AI; sources checked by automated review on ; not reviewed by a veterinarian. How we write and check these pages

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