Best Cat Nail Clippers for 2022

Can I cut my cat’s claws myself?

Yes! That is why cat claw clippers are readily available to buy. If your cat is calm and patient, and you are brave enough, many cats will allow you to clip their claws.

Long claws can grow into their toepads, and while many cats can file their claws down themselves, some can’t do it enough to make the difference required.

Do be aware that cats, like dogs, have a ‘quick’ – a blood vessel in the claw. If this is cut, it will bleed, so never cut claws too short.

If you’re worried or nervous, this isn’t good for you or the cat, so get a professional to cut your cat’s claws. This can be a vet or a groomer.

Why do cat claws need to be trimmed?

Everybody knows that dog’s claws need to be kept intact, but it is just the same for cats too. Keeping your cat’s claws trimmed can help to:

• Prevent breakages – If your cat’s claws become too long, they could break during playtime or scratching, which is painful for them
• Prevent ingrown claws – When cats sharpen their claws, they are trying to remove the outer old layer, so this helps them along. Ingrown claws can be painful and become infected
• Improve comfort – When human nails get too long, they start to curve and it becomes harder to use your hands. The same applies to cat claws, which curve downwards and make it harder to walk on their paws
• Limit damage – Longer claws can harm your sofa or carpet if they get caught in them, and it also means a painful experience for your cat
• Make your life more comfortable – You should never put yourself first when it comes to your cat’s claws, but cats can scratch you even if they don’t mean to, and longer claws mean this is more painful for you. This also applies to when they are kneading – they do it out of love, even if you have to wince through it
• Prevent declawing – In days gone by, when an owner didn’t want to have to deal with a cat’s claws, they were entirely removed. This is bad practice and not recommended by vets anymore, so clipping claws is more humane

Can I just use human nail clippers for my cat’s claws?

People do, but it is really not recommended. They often aren’t the right shape, they aren’t made for the same material and they often aren’t sharp enough. This could cause the claw to split or make the process much more difficult.

They can also be harder to manage for such a small job, and you don’t want to risk any faults or accidents.

How much should I spend on cat claw clippers?

A decent pair of cat claw clippers can be bought for as little as £5, so they are not an expensive item to have to hand. The top price doesn’t go much more than £10, so the important thing to think about is how comfortable they look to hold, how you feel your cat will react and how easy they look to operate.