Trimming your cat's claws- pay for it, or do it yourself?

United States
February 11, 2007 7:27am CST
I have only ever taken a cat in to a "pet salon" once, to get her claws trimmed. That was years ago, and it cost $5. Now days, I have no idea what most places charge, but it seems rediculous to pay for something that I can do myself with a pair of nail clippers. I have been doing it for years, and I am very careful. I also have found that using nail clippers meant for babies are much sharper, and therefore make the process easier/quicker in the long run. And if my cats are cooperating, I can get all of their claws done in about 5 minutes or so. The cats I have now, generally just let me hold them tightly to my body. But I did have a cat that I'd have to wrap up in a towel, or else she'd claw me to bits during the process. Of course it's important to make sure that they're not overly stressed, and that you don't cut too much off (only the clear tip of the nail). I think I've only done that once that I can remember. I called the vet for advice on what to do, but my kitty ended up being fine.
2 people like this
7 responses
@librarian (181)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I don't know how correct it was, but I've used normal nail clipper to snip the very end of the claw. Boy, do cats HATE it when you mess with their paws.
1 person likes this
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
13 Feb 07
I would never pay for someone to clip my cats nails, it only takes 5 minutes if that, I do it myself its much easier and quicker.
1 person likes this
• Pakistan
12 Feb 07
No!! I like to do it myself
@cjsmom (1423)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I clip our cats claws myself...He (Taffy) will only let me do it of course but he's very good at sitting still for me. I use the cat clippers and I'm also very careful; don't have to hold him too tight; he's so good about sitting still and it only takes me about 2 mins. I would never pay anyone to do it; just a waste of money and the cat wouldn't like a stranger doing it anyway.
1 person likes this
@1983tyler (507)
• United States
11 Feb 07
That's great that you can clip your cats' nails by yourself. I have 4 cats and not one of them would sit still without clawing me. My cats are not very affectionate, so I can't trick them when they are sitting on my lap, because they don't sit on my lap. If I had the money for it, I might take my cat to a pet salon to see if they could clip their nails.
1 person likes this
11 Feb 07
i never cut my cats claws. I've done it once but they became very stressfull and i felt sorry for them. And they bite there own nails so i don't have to worry
• Canada
13 Feb 07
I clip my cats claws, too. I got a special clipper from the pet store, and I read all the information about how not to cut the pink part. I hold the cats really close and pet them a lot, then start to pet their legs and their paws so they ge really relaxed. Then, if you press gently on the pad of their paw, they'll extend their clawas and it's quick and easy. I wa surprised how easy it was, actually, since my cats were adopted from the SPCA as adults and I had no idea what kind of life they had before us. Now, if only brushing their teeth was as easy.....