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The Finer Points of Claw Trimming
"Proper position and sense of touch are the key to quick confident claw trimming."
give yourself every advantage Work at a comfortable height (I like working with my cats on a counter top) tuck your kitty under your arm hold with your "opposite" hand (left hand if you are right handed) cut with your "dominant" hand
	Lift and grasp the leg in the palm of your hand
Rest the paw on your curved index finger
	Extend the claw by pressing down on the toe you with your thumb
"catch" the hook of the claw with the bottom blade of the claw scissor
	Note the angle of the scissor.
With the scissor in this position, firmly anchored with the bottom blade pressing against the claw, angled away from the paw, you will not cut the claw too short.   The nerve and blood supply to the claw are in a pink triangle at the base of the claw.   You can see it clearly on a non-pigmented (white claw) but you don't need to see it, you can "feel" when you are in the proper position.
Debra M. Givin D.V.M. August 14, 2006
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