All cats, except for those who have been declawed, need to have their claws trimmed on a regular basis. In fact, by keeping your cat's nails trimmed you can often eliminate the need for declawing. However, most cats don't particularly like having their nails trimmed. Because of that, it's best if you wear long sleeves and pants. You may also want to wait until a time in the day when your cat is particularly mellow or have someone to help hold the cat.

You'll need a pair of clippers designed for cats, which can be found at most pet stores. You should not use regular scissors. Start by holding your cat in your lap or on the floor between your knees or have someone else hold her. Holding one of the front paws in your hand, gently press on one toe until the claw comes into full view. Clip the nail with the clippers. You can clip a little at a time to make sure that you don't clip the pinkish area known as the quick. Repeat with each of the toes, including the dewclaws which are located higher up on the front paws. If you're uncertain about clipping your cat's claws yourself, a trip to a professional groomer may be the best solution.

f course, declawing your cat removes the need for clipping. However, you should first carefully consider declawing before having it done. This process involves the surgical removal of the claw and its surrounding tissue. Many people feel strongly that declawing is inhumane and should not be done. At the very least, declawed cats should not be allowed outside as they will not be able to defend themselves. There are alternatives to declawing, including soft plastic covers which can be applied by your vet and last for about a month. Further, most cats can be trained from an early age not to scratch inappropriate items but to use a scratching post instead.