If you have an active, healthy cat that likes to be outdoors, you probably won't need to clip its claws. However, indoor or older cats may need grooming from time to time, and you may need to clip your cat's claws as an essential part of its regular care.

Cats have eighteen claws, ten on their front paws and eight on their back paws, and it is advisable to trim them every two to three weeks or so, depending on their activity and routines. It can be a complicated process at first, and your cat will surely get nervous. Follow the tips below to trim its claws step by step:

1. Choose the right time and calm your cat

You should accustom your pet to having its paws handled; gently stroke them while stroking the parts of its body that it likes best. It's best if you start getting your feline used to it from when it's a kitten. Choose a moment when it is calm and relaxed, and if it gets scared or uncomfortable and wants to leave, don't stop it; find another time later to continue this practice.

2. Start trimming little by little

Hold your cat on your lap, with its rear and back facing you. Hold the clippers in one hand and one of its paws in the other. Grip one of its toes and give it a gentle massage to keep it calm, then press its paw pad so the claw comes out. Start by cutting the tip of the claw and go slowly, but never reach the pink quick inside each of its claws, as it would hurt it and start to bleed.

3. Use the clippers correctly

Trim the claws one by one and make sure the blade cuts from top to bottom to prevent splitting. Be careful not to cut too much! If you are not sure where the quick begins, it's better to cut less of the claw.

4. Reward your cat

Choose a special treat for your pet and give it after trimming its claws. If you only use that treat for this grooming moment, your pet will associate it with claw trimming and will know that after such a delicate process it will get a delicious reward and will resist less in the future.

5. Check the condition of its claws

Check your cat's claws once a week, including the dewclaw, which is on the inside of its leg, just below the wrist. It rarely comes into contact with the ground, so it tends to grow too long.