The clipper is held in the right hand. The clipper is held in the right hand. There are several styles of nail trimmers, including a guillotine type, a scissors cut, and a standard human fingernail clipper. Either the guillotine type or a human fingernail clipper are easiest to use in cats. The scissors-type is used if a toe nail is so long that it is curling in a circle.
Long toenails can grow into the toepad.
Hold the trimmer in your right hand if you are right handed. Close you hand around the clipper to squeeze the handle which will move the cutting blade. You want to cut the toenail to within approximately 2 millimeters of the quick. If you cut into the quick, the toenail will bleed and the cat will experience pain. The sharper the trimmer, the cleaner the cut.