Contrary to what you may have heard, any cat can be trained to scratch on an approved surface. All it takes is five ingredients:

1. A scratching post your cat likes

2. Instruction on simple and fun cat-training techniques

3. Rewards to reinforce good behavior

4. Tips on how to stop bad behavior

5. Your commitment and patience

 Living with Claws
Trimming Cat Claws
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The Right Scratching Post

Trimming Cat Claws

  • Use sharp clippers
  • Trim often
  • Have a friend help if needed
  • Don't cut too close to the quick. Its better to trim a small amount more often.

    Each time you trim your cats claws, the quick recedes from the cut a little until the claw grows out again. Therefore a cat who's claws are trimmed often (every couple of weeks) are much shorter, blunter, and cause less damage than those trimmed less frequently.

What to do if you cut the quick
If you accidentally cut the quick it will not only hurt the cat it will also bleed. If the bleeding doesn't stop on its own, here are four options to try:

  • Quickstop, a commercial powder found at pet supply stores.
  • Cornstarch
  • Flour
  • Septic Stick

    Your cat may not forgive you and may be unwilling to let you continue. Give your cat love and praise and wait a couple of days.