Trimming a cat’s nails should be a regular part of your role as a responsible cat owner. It’s typically a quick procedure and the good news is that it doesn’t cause or pain or discomfort for your cat.
The question you may be asking yourself is what exactly is the cost of cat claw clipping? In the UK, it typically costs between £10 and £20 to trim your cat’s claws. This price variance depends on which UK region you live in.
This article will outline the price and costs of cat claw clipping in the UK.
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Should I Cut My Cat’s Claws UK?
It’s important that your cat’s claws are clipped periodically. There are two main reasons why this is the case.
Prevent Your Cat Experiencing Discomfort
Excessively long claws may also cause your cat discomfort because they’re more prone to becoming caught and stuck in objects and surfaces. This can cause your cat pain.
Prevent Your Cat Damaging Your Property
Claws that are left to grow too long on a cat may cause damage to your furniture and carpets. There’s also an increased risk of your cat accidentally scratching you or others who interact with your cat.
Cost Of Cat Claw Clipping – Average Prices By UK Region
Now you know why you should clip your cat’s nails. Let’s look at how much it costs to get a cat’s claws trimmed. In the UK, it can cost between £10 and £20 to have your cat’s nails cut.
With that said, cat groomers will include clipping your cat’s claws as part of the full grooming procedure they offer. Therefore, if you wanted to have your cat fully groomed, then your cat’s claws would be trimmed as part of service. If you opted for a full groom then the price would be higher than paying for a standalone nail trimming service.
See below for cat nail cutting prices depending on what UK region you live in.
Inner London Price Average
| Standalone claw clipping | Full cat grooming including claw clipping |
| £15 – £20 | £45 – £75 |
Outer London Price Average
| Standalone claw clipping | Full cat grooming including claw clipping |
| £13 – £18 | £41 – £70 |
South England Price Average
| Standalone claw clipping | Full cat grooming including claw clipping |
| £13 – £17 | £38 – £65 |
Midlands Price Average
| Standalone claw clipping | Full cat grooming including claw clipping |
| £12 – £16 | £35 – £58 |
North England Price Average
| Standalone claw clipping | Full cat grooming including claw clipping |
| £10 – £15 | £32 – £57 |
Wales Price Average
| Standalone claw clipping | Full cat grooming including claw clipping |
| £10 – £15 | £32 – £55 |
Scotland Price Average
| Standalone claw clipping | Full cat grooming including claw clipping |
| £10 – £15 | £30 – £53 |
How Should I Keep My Cat’s Claws Trimmed?
Rather than specifically getting your cat’s claws trimmed, it’s recommended that you provide your cat with toys, and other methods to wear down their nails in a gradual and organic way.
This would include providing your cat with scratching posts, scratching boxes and other opportunities to use their claws. This has the added advantage of reducing the chances that your cat will scratch your upholstery, carpets and walls.
However, if your cat is not able to dull down their claws on scratch posts and similar, then you should have your cat’s nails trimmed.
Do Cats Need Their Claws?
A cat’s claws are an essential part of their body and ability to survive and thrive. Their claws are so important to their welfare that many countries have made it illegal to declaw a cat. In the UK, it’s been illegal to declaw a cat since 2006.
Cats use their claws in a number of ways including balancing and hunting and protecting themselves. Below are the main ways in which cats use their claws.
Claws For Hunting
Hunting instincts run deep in the feline psyche. Having claws helps them keep their footing when running and holding on to captured prey.
Claws For Protection
When confronted by a predator, a cat’s claws are used as a form of self defense. Additionally, cats can climb trees using their claws to get out of perilous circumstances.
It’s true to say that indoor cats don’t really need a way to defend themselves. However, the fact an indoor cat has their claws gives them peace of mind knowing they do have the ability to defend themselves if they ever needed to.
Claws For Exercise
When a cat uses its claws, it is extending its muscles. When your cat is able to grab objects, such as a carpet, it is able to flex and extend its whole body. This is both an excellent form of exercise and something your cat really enjoys.
As you can see from the above, claws are critical to a cat’s ability to have a happy healthy life. With that said, their claws do need to be trimmed down periodically.
How Can I Tell If My Cat’s Claws Need To Be Cut?
Cat’s claws are retractable, so you should not be able to see them when they’re resting. However, if you can see your cat’s nails while they’re resting then this is an important sign that their claws need to be cut.
Other signs that your cat’s claws are too long is if they are starting to scratch floors or carpets when they weren’t before. If your cat is scratching you when you pick them up or play with them, when this wasn’t occurring before, that’s another sign that your cat’s claws need to be cut.
Will A Vet Clip A Cat’s Nails?
Although clipping a cat’s nails is a relatively straightforward task, many cat parents prefer that trained cat professionals take on this task. A veterinarian will certainly clip a cat’s nails if you request. It is a chargeable procedure although it’s typically low cost, as shown above in the pricing averages.
Final Thoughts On Cost Of Cat Claw Clipping UK
It’s essential that you cut your cat’s claws as part of your cats overall grooming and wellbeing regimen. In the UK, it typically costs between £10 and £20 to trim your cat’s claws. This price variance depends which UK region you live in. Both cat groomers and veterinarians will clip your cat’s nails
Leaving your cat’s claws to grow too long can result in your furniture and floors being damaged, but more importantly can result in your cat injuring themselves. You can trim your cat’s nails yourself in order to save money. It’s fairly straight forward to do and quite quick as well.