Our cats' nails can often be a nuisance...they can scratch up furniture, climb curtains, and do all sorts of mischevious things. It's also painful when your cat accidentally scratches you when you are playing.

Like most cat-lovers, I am wholeheartedly against de-clawing a cat. It is inhumane, and a drastic and extremely painful surgery that not only damages your cat's anatomy and a vital part of its body, it often alters a cat's personality forever by taking away its pride. Some countries have made this practice illegal due to its cruel nature.

To keep your lovely kitty's nails under control, make sure he or she has access to scratching boards, and also make sure you regularly trim his nails.

Note: If your cat is an outdoors cat, trimming is not recommended, as a cat's claws are its primary defense. If possible, please keep your cat indoors or supervised in an outdoor enclosure as it is best for its health and longevity!

Trimming your cat's nails is very important to its health, as it prevents problems such as broken nails and ingrown nails, both very painful. I've been trimming my cat's nails for years, and it doesn't bother my cat Leo at all. I can even trim his nails while he's napping and he'll even sleep through it. Bambi, my other cat, is much more sensitive and makes a really sad face when he sees the trimmer.

The best way to prep your cat for trimming is by starting young. If this is not possible, start by regularly touching or petting its paws, as some cats do not like having their paws touched. Once your cat is used to the sensation, you are ready to move on!

Things to have with you when you begin:

• cat nail trimmer
• file (optional)
• styptic powder to stop bleeding

Tip: If your cat is resistant or if you aren't sure, the best way to learn how is to have your veterinarian show you how, which is how I learned. If you make a mistake while trimming, it can be very painful for your cat!

Invest in a pair of good cat nail trimmers. I used to use regular human nail trimmers years ago but switched long ago to cat nail trimmers, which are shaped better for your kitties' round nails.

Choose a well lit area, and make sure your cat is in a comfortable position so he or she feels safe. It usually works best if you keep him on your lap, but adjust according to your particular cat's likes and dislikes.

Gently press the pads of their toe with your index finger and thumb so that the nail comes out. The blood vessel which runs in the nail is usually easy to see through the nail. At the end of the blood vessel, trim the nail at a 45 degree angle. If you're not sure, it's best to trim short amounts.

If you cut too deeply and the nail starts to bleed, it's not the end of the world. Dab styptic powder at the tip of the nail to stop the bleeding. Give your cat a kiss and tell him you'll try not to do it next time!

Start with one paw each and work your way up to doing all four paws in one sitting. If your cat is resistant, be patient and use positive reinforcement such as giving him treats and talking to him in a soothing voice. Try to break up the trimming sessions until your cat gets used to it.

If your cat absolutely won't tolerate it, have someone else help you restrain your cat, or ask your veterinarian for tips. If all else fails, some stores carry cat restrainers to safely restrain cats when medicating or trimming nails.

Good luck and happy trimming!

Still considering de-clawing your cat? Please make sure you know what you will be doing before doing so. Declawing: A Rational Look is an excellent article on all aspects of declawing by holistic veterinarian Jean Hofve, DVM.