Cat Nail Clipping – Trimming Your Cats Nails

Here at our cattery, we trim all our Bengal Cats Nails. At first, you might find this a little daunting, but don’t let your nerves get the better of you. You can do this! Clip your cat and save yourself some money at the same time.

When trimming your cat’s nails, you will ensure it remains a healthy and happy cat. The secret to successfully trimming your cat’s nails is to always be gentle but firm during the process. Confidently hold your cat, but at the same time try to use minimal restraint/force.

Unlike dogs, Bengal Cats do not like to be pinned down against their will, so hold gently but firmly. If you felt it necessary, you could also wear some protective gloves.

Video Posted From ‘Miss Bengal Cat’ Youtube Channel

We would always recommend that you get the cat relaxed before you trim your cat’s nails, this may take some time just petting him and gaining his confidence. Start by de-sensitizing your cat’s paw by gently touching these frequently, getting him used to being stroked around that area.

Make sure you have some really good Nail Clippers to hand ready. Don’t skimp on the quality of these either. Most cats will be OK when their paws are handled, providing they are relaxed and not feeling anxious. It is also more likely that Older Cats which have not experienced this will be harder to break in.

Just work at this tactic on a regular basis, it’s very similar to wearing a cat harness slow and steady wins the race.

You can also get out some treats for them to nibble on whilst you’re warming them up for the trim. Remember, this process will get easier as time goes on.

Your cat will be letting you do this on his own accord at a later date if you start off on the right footing. We would recommend doing this phase a few times a week to get him used to this and let him see the scissors to realise they are not harmful.

You can also get out some treats for them to nibble on whilst you’re warming them up for the trim. Remember, this process will get easier as time goes on.

Your cat will be letting you do this on his own accord at a later date if you start off on the right footing. We would recommend doing this phase a few times a week to get him used to this and let him see the scissors to realise they are not harmful.

If you do it a couple of times a day over a week, eventually the cat sees that nothing bad happens. You see, doing this will ensure your cat gets used to having his nails exposed and understands nothing bad happens.

When you are confident that your cat is sitting comfortably and is used to this method, it’s time to start clipping his nails.

Let the cat sit on your lap, we sometimes use two people, one to clip the nails and the other to pet them and reassure them, holding them gently.

If your Bengal cat doesn’t like sitting on your lap, then simply place him on a table-top at a convenient height to suit you. Put some treats down on the table to distract them. Then have another person distracting them, petting them and gently holding, if necessary.

FRONT PAWS: Bengal’s cats have four claws on each front paw, along with what’s called a ‘Draw Claw’ which is located higher up on the inside of the paw.

You will find that the cat’s back paws have four claws, but do not have any Draw Clays attached. Some cats can have an extra toe, this is called polydactyl, just be mindful to check for this possibility.

Just like a human finger nail, a Bengal cat’s nail is made of keratin. This is a hard protein. You will find that a vein called ‘The Quick’ will run down the centre of each nail, irrespective of which paw.

This vein is filled with nerve endings, so you do not want to cut into it. Cutting the quick hurts and causes the nail to bleed, sometimes a lot. Just like it would a human if you cut too deep, not nice at all!