How to Balance a Checkbook

Balancing your checkbook is one of those crucial life skills that you need to know. It will give you a clear sense of not only how much money is in your bank account, but where your money goes. It can also help prevent you from bouncing checks, stick to your budget, help you avoid fees, and detect errors from your bank or even fraudulent billing.

Steps

Checkbook Help

Sample Checkbook Register

Checkbook Register Template

Recording Your Income and Transactions

1. Use the check register. You know that extra little notebook that comes with your checks, and slips right into your checkbook? It's designed to help you keep track of your all your income and expenditures and all your transactions, from deposits, ATM withdrawals, debit card usage, fees, to any checks you write.^[1]
   
   • If you do not have a check register, you can buy or make one. A ledger, graph paper, or even a blank sheet of lined paper will do.
2. Find out your current balance. Log on to your account online, call or visit your bank, or visit an ATM and get the current balance on the account you wish to track.^[2]
   
   • Write this balance in the box at the top of the page or on the empty first line with the note "balance forward".
   • There may be checks or electronic debits that haven't cleared yet, so today's figure, while correct, will not account for debits that have not been processed yet. If you're not sure of your exact, current balance, keep an eye on your account and check the balance in the next several days.
3. Record all your transactions. Write down any debit (money being taken out) or credit (money being added) to your account. There should be two columns in your checkbook — one for debits and one for credits. Place the dollar amount being taken away in the debits column and the dollar amount being added in the credit column.^[3]
   
   • Record all checks that you write. Write down the check number, the date, the payee (who you write the check to), and the amount of the check.
   • Record any withdrawals or payments you make from that account. If you withdraw money from the bank or ATM, or if you purchase something at the store or online using an ATM or debit card, write down the amount of the purchase. If there is a fee for using the ATM, write down that amount also.^[4]
   • Record any online bill payments. If your online bill payment service gives you a confirmation code, you may wish to jot this code in your check register next to the payee information.
   • Record any deposits into your account. If the transaction changes the amount of money in your account, always write it down!
4. Label your transactions. Doing this will help you can remember what each transaction was for when it is time to balance your checkbook.
   
   • Use specific categories like food, utilities, mortgage, dining out, etc.
5. Adjust your records daily if you share an account with someone else. Try to touch base with them often about any transactions done using the account so you can each record the payments and the current balance of the account in your individual checkbooks.
   
   • If you are balancing multiple accounts, keep a separate register for each account so they are easy to track.

Balancing Your Checkbook

1. Recalculate the balance in the account regularly. You can do this after a transaction, or less frequently, such as when you sit down to do your bills.^[5]
   
   • If you have a history of bounced checks or an overdrawn account, you should re calculate your balance after every transaction or every other transaction.
   • Subtract the amount of any expense, payment, check, or withdrawal from the total. Include transfers out of the account in this subtraction.
   • Add the amount of any deposit, credit, or transfer into the account to the total.
   • Subtract all your debits from your credits. You should end up with a positive number. Write the new balance after each transaction in the rightmost column.
2. Reconcile your checkbook. When your bank statement arrives, compare your check register to your statement and check off which transactions have cleared.^[6]
   
   • Add any interest that the bank has paid you.
   • Subtract any fees that the bank has charged you.
   • Check that the transactions in your account register match what is on your statement. Make sure your recorded balance matches what the bank thinks you have, not including any transactions that haven't yet cleared and aren't listed on the statement.
3. Correct any mistakes in your checkbook. If you find any discrepancies between your numbers and your bank's numbers, figure out where they came from and correct them.^[7]
   
   • Double-check your math. Make sure you added and subtracted everything correctly since the checkbook last balanced correctly.
   • Look for missing transactions. Did you forget to write something down? Has something not cleared or have you recorded something that happened after the statement date?
   • Subtract the balance in your check register from the balance on the statement. Does the amount match the amount of one of the transactions? If so, that transaction has probably not been accounted for correctly yet.
   • If the difference between the balance in your checkbook and the balance on your statement has an even number of pennies, divide the difference by 2. Does this new amount match the amount of one of the transactions? If so, that transaction was probably added instead of subtracted or vice versa.
4. Determine if all your checks have cleared. The money taken out for checks and other payments may not be taken out immediately. If you think a check or other payment has not yet cleared, subtract the amount of that check from the bank's balance and see if it matches yours.
   
   • One way to stay on top of this is to check your account regularly and put check marks next to every check that has already cleared.
5. Notify your bank if you think there are fraudulent charges on your account. Call or visit your bank to discuss any suspicious charges or charges that are not accounted for in your checkbook and you do not remember making and discuss possible refund options.^[8]
   
   • Always make sure you report any suspected fraud on your account, even if it may end up being a charge you simply forgot about or threw away the receipt for.
6. Finish balancing. Once everything is balanced you may want to draw double lines under the balanced amount in your check register. That way the next time you go to balance you have an idea of the last known correct amount in your register.^[9]
   
   • This will also remind you where an error is in the check register for the next time you balance your checkbook.

Understanding the Importance of a Balanced Checkbook

1. Know that banks can and do make mistakes. Balancing your checkbook probably seems like something only your grandpa does in today's modern age. But many financially responsible people still balance their checkbook so in the rare event the bank commits an error, you can recognize it and get it corrected.^[10]
   
   • Think about it: If all you do is look at your bank or credit card statement to make sure your monthly transactions are correct, it will likely be difficult to tell if your bank makes a mistake. And their mistake will then be your loss.
2. Spend less by keeping track of your spending. Because you know exactly what you have in your bank account based on your balanced checkbook, you will be able to budget your money easily and avoid spending money you don’t have on things you don’t need.^[11]
   
   • Keeping your relationship with your money honest will prevent you from overspending or under budgeting and help you save.
3. Prevent bounced checks and unnecessary bank fees. If you're writing a check, chances are you may not have your current bank statement in front of you, so you may not know how much money you have in your account. Having a balanced check book will help you determine whether you have the necessary funds to write the check and feel assured the check will not bounce.^[12]
   
   • Most banks charge a bounced check fee. Some banks waive fees if you have direct deposit set up for your paycheck. Ask your bank if you're not sure about the fees they charge.
   • Keep in mind deposited checks, depending on the amount, will take some time to “post”; that is, the money may not appear in your account immediately. Some banks offer provisional credit from the deposit, such as releasing $300 or $1000 of the funds and holding the remaining amount for 2 - 5 business days, and some don't offer any provisional credit.

Tips

• Balancing your checkbook is an excellent opportunity to total up the amount of money you spend each month and look for ways that you could save money next month.

Warnings

• The safest form of transaction for your check register is paper checks. Until banks devise a "Check card register", paper checks are the easiest and safest way to bank.

Related wikiHows

• How to Fill Out a Deposit Slip
• How to Fill Out a Checkbook
• How to Save Money
• How to Earn and Save Money
• How to Improve Your Credit Through a Bank
• How to Calculate Percentages
• How to Fill out a Checking Deposit Slip
• How to Decide Which Type of Bank Account to Open

Sources and Citations

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from How to of the Day http://ift.tt/rebsqY

How to Avoid Committing Suicide

If you are having suicidal thoughts or feelings, you should seek immediate assistance, preferably from a mental health professional. Whatever the source of your feelings, they can be dealt with appropriately, and things can get better. You're already taking the first step towards healing by reading this for help. The next step is to find a person to help you.

• If you are in the US, you can call 911 for emergency or reach a suicide hotline by calling 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).^[1]
• If you are in the UK, call 999 for emergency or 08457 90 90 90 to reach a suicide hotline.^[2]
• In other countries, take a look at Call Emergency Services to find appropriate numbers.

Steps

Managing a Suicidal Crisis

1. Get professional help immediately. If you're thinking about suicide, seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional. There are options available to you 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Even if your instincts are telling you that you do not wish to call so much attention to yourself, suicidal impulses are very serious, and you should never hesitate to reach out for help. You can call anonymously.
   
   • If you are in the US, please call 911 or 800-273-TALK (8255), the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Room.
   • If you're in the UK, you can call Samaritans at 08457 90 90 90 or PAPYRUS at 0800 068 41 41 (if you are a teen or a young adult).
   • Other centers can be found on the International Association for Suicide Prevention website.^[3]
2. Contact or go to a hospital. If you're using the help line for support and still want to die, tell them you do need to go to the hospital. If you are not using a help line, call the Emergency Services or a person you trust and tell them that you want to kill yourself. Ask them to help you get to a hospital, or go there directly yourself.
   
3. Talk to someone you trust about your thoughts IMMEDIATELY. Although Step 1 is the right first step in any situation where you are thinking of killing yourself, it may not feel right for everyone. In this case, you should tell someone you trust that you're having suicidal thoughts immediately. If you are alone, call a friend, a family member, a neighbor, a doctor, chat someone online, or do whatever you can to not be alone during this time. Talk with someone on the phone and have someone come over to stay with you so that you are not alone.
   
4. Wait for help. If you have to wait for someone to come over or have to wait at the hospital, sit down and breathe slowly. Control your breathing by timing it, taking maybe twenty breaths a minute. Do anything else you can to distract yourself, knowing that help is on the way.
   
   • Do not use drugs or alcohol during this time as it can impair your thinking.^[4]
   • If you feel like you need to cause yourself some pain, hold an ice cube in your hand for 1 minute without letting go (this is a technique used in child-birthing classes to help women practice getting through the pain of pregnancy).
   • Listen to your favorite band's album. Watch a funny TV show. Even if these don't make you feel better, they may distract you from your feelings while you wait for help to arrive.

Preventing Another Suicidal Crisis

1. Seek help from a mental healthcare professional. People who attempt suicide are more likely to be suffering from a serious mental condition, such as depression, and can get help for it.^[5] These steps can help you work to get to the root of why you considered suicide. If your suicidal feelings were brought on by a specific event, like the grief of being jilted, job loss, or becoming disabled, remember that this kind of situational depression can still be helped by treatment.
   
   • Be sure to take any prescribed medications according to your doctor’s recommendation. Never stop taking medications without speaking to your doctor first.
   • Be sure to attend all of your scheduled counseling sessions. If necessary, have someone reliable scheduled to take you every week to have an extra layer of accountability for going.
2. Talk to a spiritual leader. If you are religious (or even if you’re not) and have access to a spiritual leader, talk to a priest, rabbi, or spiritual person about your thoughts immediately. Though this person won't be able to solve your problems, he or she can help you ease the pain by offering a new perspective and giving you some things to think about.
   
3. Find a support group. There may be support groups, both online and in your community, where you can find comfort by talking to other people who have suicidal thoughts or who have attempted suicide in the past and set up a social network of understanding people for helping you through difficult times.
   
   • If you're in the United States, check out the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's site for finding support groups online or in person. You can even find groups for your specific characteristics, such as a group for Teens.^[6]
   • Check out the NHS site if you're in the UK, or the web site for your country, to find options for yourself.^[7]
   • If there are no support groups in your area for suicide or depression, talk to a therapist or local hospital about support groups they might run or how to get group support. You can also visit a website that offers online video counseling.^[8]
4. Remove any suicide facilitators. If you have recently had suicidal thoughts, remove anything that could help you end your life, including alcohol, drugs, sharp objects, rope, or anything else you have been thinking of using. If you have a handgun, make sure it is out of your possession as soon as possible. Though this may sound extreme, if you remove the means to end your own life, then you are much less likely to follow through.
   
5. Avoid being alone. If you are feeling suicidal, you should make sure that friends and family do not let you out of their sight. If you do not have anyone to watch over you, check yourself into an ER to make sure you are not alone. If you are part of a support group, lean on other members of your group for extra support from people who really understand what you’re going through.
   
6. Make a safety plan. If you are prone to suicidal thoughts, then it's important to have a safety plan for keeping yourself away from harm.^[9] You can create the plan yourself, or you can make it with a friend or family member. The list can include things like removing the means for suicide, immediately spending time with a friend or family member (or being around people in any way you can be), calling a certain person, or waiting 48 hours before considering your decision again. Just giving yourself time to slow down and think things over can be a big help.
   

Setting Long-Term Goals

1. Address the causes of your suicidal thoughts. There are many reasons for being suicidal, from being in an unbearable home situation to having a mental illness.^[10] If you have a mental condition, like depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, then it's important to see a doctor and to get treatment right away. The medication can help you feel more balanced and in control of your mind and body; though it may not "fix" everything, it can put you on the path to a happier life.
   
   • If you have an unbearable home situation, find a way to get out as soon as you can; though you should avoid rash decisions that you might regret, if there's something that you know will put you in a better place, you should not put it off. Consider reaching out to friends, family members, a therapist, or your primary care doctor if you are not sure how to get started.
   • Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers are all trained to help you get through difficult life situations and may have helped others get through situations that may be similar to yours.
   • These professionals are also helpful for long-term care to help you stay well once you are feeling better.
2. Know common suicide risk factors. Knowing the factors that may put you at risk for suicidal thoughts can help you identify your risk and pinpoint the causes of your behavior. The most well-documented risk factors for suicide include experiencing or having any of the following:^[11]
   
   • Stressful life events
   • Social isolation
   • Psychiatric disorders, including problems with substance use
   • Family history of psychiatric disorders, suicide, or abuse
   • Chronic disease or an illness associated with suicide, such as a terminal illness
   • An unsupportive family environment (eg, due to sexual identity)
   • Previous suicide attempts
   • Bullying
   • History of conflict with a spouse, partner, or family member
3. Address any physical pain you are feeling. People who live with chronic pain often have suicidal thoughts, and sometimes the physical pain can actually be disguised as other things, such as emotional stress. Addressing the root of the chronic pain can help you feel mentally healthier.^[12]
   
   • Stress can cause flares in autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia, and you might not even realize it's physical pain because the emotion from the stress is so unendurable.
   • Migraines are another source of pain so extreme it can cause suicidal ideas.
   • The answer to these medical situations is to visit a pain clinic and get pain medication, if necessary maintenance pain medication.
   • Check into an emergency room if you can't get any help with it and the pain is driving you to the level of suicide.
4. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Though drugs and alcohol have been used as a coping mechanism for pain for many years, if you are having suicidal thoughts, you should steer clear of them completely. These substances can heighten or cause depression and lead to impulsive behavior and thoughts that can make you more likely to decide to end your life.^[13]
   
5. Get some sleep. If you are having suicidal thoughts, you can't just "sleep it off," and you may feel insulted at this suggestion. However, there is a link between sleep disturbances and suicide.^[14]
   
   • Sleep deprivation can cloud your judgment, and just giving your body and mind some time to recover can lead to a brighter outlook.
   • While sleep may not cure depression or suicidal thoughts, a lack of sleep can certainly worsen them.
6. Give it time. Remember that thinking about suicide does not require action. Methods of suicide that are “quick and easy” are also more likely to be highly lethal, meaning there is no hope for a second chance once you go down this path.^[15]
   
   • Tell yourself you won't do anything for 24 hours; after 24 hours, give yourself 48 hours; after that, say you'll give it a week.
   • While you give yourself more time to figure things out, take other measures to move past the negative feelings you were having about ending your own life, such as reaching out to friends or health care professionals.
   • Removing the sense of urgency you have about ending your own life can be half of the battle.

Thinking about Alternatives

1. Know that people do get through this. Many people who contemplate suicide are able to move past their feelings and improve their outlook on life when healthcare professionals give them coping mechanisms and other kinds of support.^[16]
   
   • It is okay to have thoughts about suicide, but it is not okay to act on them; there are other ways to handle your pain.
2. Realize that you can make fresh choices for change every day. Be bold and change the situations that are making you unhappy. Change schools. Live with no friends for a while. Move out of wherever you are living. Leave an abusive relationship. Accept your parents' disapproval of your personal choices or lifestyle and work through the emotional issues these situations can cause.
   
   • A therapist can help you to work through these emotional issues so that you they have less of an impact on your or help you to know whether you need to cut off negative influences in your life.
   • Suicide is a drastic measure but there are other drastic measures that are not irreversible.
3. Do not think of suicide as a revenge strategy. Sometimes suicidal feelings are related to anger and resentment you feel toward others. Don't turn that anger inward.^[17]
   
   • The best thing you can do is to live your life the way you want to live it and to succeed in the ways you want to succeed.
   • Hurting yourself won't help you really get back at anyone, and it is beyond not worth it. Instead, think about all you have to offer to the people you'll meet in the future.
4. Continue caring for yourself even after the feelings subside. The fact of the matter is, if you have had suicidal thoughts at one point, you're more likely to experience these thoughts and feelings in the future. This means that, even if you're feeling better for a variety of reasons, you should always be vigilant and make sure to take care of yourself as much as you can. Get enough rest, get plenty of exercise,^[18] work on maintaining meaningful relationships with people, and don't neglect the care of your own mind and body. Staying healthy and happy should always be your top priority.
   
   • Even if you're feeling better, it's important to have a strong support system around you and to continue the treatment that helped you get better. If you don't have a support system, a therapist can help you build one so you feel like you have more people to turn to. However, recovery does not mean ignoring the pain you once felt, or may feel again.^[19]
   • It is important to be truthful and honest with yourself about your feelings and look for ways other than suicide to process these feelings.
   • Develop a plan for what to do if suicidal feelings return. For example, Step 1 could be to call the Emergency Services, Step 2 could be to call a designated person from your support network, and so on. Think about what best helped get you through your suicidal thoughts in the past and put that into your plan so that you have concrete actions to take if find yourself in a crisis situation in the future.

Tips

• No matter how bad the situation may seem, hold on to hope that things will be better. And remember suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
• Remember that there is always someone out there who loves you even though you may not know it.
• Confide in someone that you can trust.

Related wikiHows

• How to Prevent a Suicide
• How to Deal With the Suicide of a Loved One
• How to Survive when a Parent Threatens Suicide
• How to Be Friends with Someone Who Attempted Suicide
• How to Make Friends With People After Attempting Suicide
• How to Convince Yourself Not to Commit Suicide
• How to Recognize the Warning Signs of Suicide
• How to Get Back on Top of Things After Attempting Suicide
• How to Cope With Finding out Your Child Has Attempted Suicide
• How to Tell Someone to Stop Threatening to Commit Suicide
• How to Help a Suicidal Friend
• How to Know if You Have Depression
• How to Help an Acquaintance Cope with Suicidal Ideations
• How to Cope With Suicidal Thoughts

Sources and Citations

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How to Take Care of a Wandering Jew Plant

Wandering Jews are beautiful plants known for their solid or variegated leaves. These hardy perennials thrive outdoors as groundcover or in pots which allow their tendrils to cascade. They are relatively easy to care for and incredibly simple to propagate, making them great houseplants.

Steps

Starting Your Wandering Jew Plant

1. Determine growing conditions. Wandering Jew plants are native to South America and prefer lots of sunlight and warm temperatures, around . This shouldn't be a problem if you're going to keep the plant inside; however, you'll need to make sure conditions are suitable if you plan on growing the plant outside. Refer to Part 2 about getting enough sunlight.
   
   • The U.S. Department of Agriculture has made a map of the U.S. divided into zones based on average minimum temperature. Plants are assigned a zone or several zones in which they thrive.^[1] For example, the Wandering Jew plant grows best in zones 9-11. According to the U.S.D.A. map, much of the South and a narrow strip of the West Coast make up these zones. Refer to this map to see if your area's temperatures are warm enough to support a Wandering Jew plant, if you're planning on keeping it outside.
2. Choose an adequate pot for your plant. You can use a regular gardening pot with a saucer or a hanging basket. Regardless of what you choose, make sure there are holes for water drainage.
   
   • If you use a hanging basket, remember to turn it daily so it gets equal amounts of sunlight.
   • Be sure to choose a pot that's not too heavy, especially if you plan on hanging it. You might want to pick a plastic pot instead of a ceramic one for this reason. A lighter pot will also make it easier to move inside in case of frost.
3. Pot your Wandering Jew plant. Fill the pot about two-thirds full of your potting soil, then place the plant in the center of the pot. Add soil to surround and fill in the sides. Gently press down on the soil around your plant and water it till the soil is completely moistened.
   
   • You can purchase a Wandering Jew plant at many gardening or home improvement centers. Cuttings are also a good way to start your own plant. You'll need to get a hold of a few cuttings from an already established Wandering Jew plant. You'll need to learn how to Grow Cuttings from Established Plants.

Caring for Your Plant

1. Give your plant enough sunlight. If you can, give them a combination of direct and filtered sunlight.
   
   • An eastern facing windowsill is a good spot for Wandering Jew plants. They'll receive bright indirect light throughout the day, but watch to make sure the space doesn't become too hot in the afternoon. If so, move the pot a few feet away or use a curtain to filter the light.^[2]
   • If the plant primarily remains outside, find a spot that receives indirect sunlight. This could be on a porch that gets morning sun for several hours. Just make sure that it's not sitting in direct sunlight without any shade for most of the day.
2. Water your plant often. Wandering Jews like the soil to be moist, but they don't want to drown! Every day, stick your finger inside the soil. If it feels dry, add enough water to completely moisten the soil. Excess water should run out of the bottom of your pot.
   
   • If you've set your pot on a saucer, be sure to empty the saucer when it fills.
   • Make sure not to water straight into the crown of the plant or it may rot.^[3] You can water the plant less during the winter months, when its growth slows.^[4] Simply let it remain a little dry for a bit longer before watering.
   • Some people find it convenient to put self-watering Aqua Globes in their plant pots; however, these glass globes require cleaning and regular filling. You'll still need to monitor your plant's moisture if you choose to use them.
3. Fertilize regularly.Every two weeks, give your plant some liquid 10-10-10 fertilizer that has been diluted with an equal part of water.^[5]
   
   • Liquid 10-10-10 fertilizer is considered to be an all-purpose fertilizer made up of ten percent nitrogen, ten percent phosphorous, and ten percent potassium.^[6] Read the container's instructions carefully, as some liquid fertilizers may actually be powders requiring you to mix in water.
   • Fertilizing is only necessary during the heaviest growing season, from spring to early fall.
4. Prune your plant. To keep your plant from becoming leggy, pinch back or cut the stems above the leaf node. Don't be afraid of cutting too much! You can prune back about a quarter of the plant. This will encourage the plant to fill in rather than continue to grow out through tendrils.^[7]
   
   • The best time to prune is during the spring and summer months, when the plant is putting on the most growth. After you've pruned, give the plant a chance to put on new shoots and fill in.
   • If you find your plant is too dense and bushy, you'll need to prune around the base so that the plant can get adequate circulation and sunlight.
5. Remove diseased, rotted, and dead leaves. Eventually the plant will stop growing leaves at the base, but will keep growing tendrils, at which point you might want to revive and repot the plant.^[8] To do so, you can plant cuttings, root some of the shoots in water, or simply set cuttings on top of the soil.^[9]
   

Common Problems and Solutions

1. Treat aphids. New growth on Wandering Jew plants often attracts tiny green insects called aphids. They're usually found near stems. The most effective treatment is pinching off or pruning the affected stems and heavily misting the remaining plant with water.^[10]
   
2. Refresh brown leaves. Mist your plant often. When the humidity is low, your plant's leaves will turn brown, but periodic water misting will help the leaves stay vibrant. Keeping the leaves wet will also help with any aphid problems your plant may develop. Fill a spray bottle with water and just mist until the leaves are lightly moistened.
   
   • Brown leaves can also be a sign that your plant is getting too much sunlight. In this case, make sure your plant is not directly in the sun by moving the pot or placing a filter, such as a curtain, in between the plant and the window.
3. Restore faded leaves. Leaves that lack their notable vibrancy and color are probably not getting enough sunlight.^[11] Gradually increase the amount of sun your plant receives so that you don't shock the plant. This might involve moving the pot closer to a window that receives more light or finding a sunnier spot in the yard for your plant.
   
4. Remove root rot. If the plant is fading in color, but the leaves are turning a faded yellow, the plant may be getting too much water and the roots are rotting.^[12] If this is happening, the plant is probably not putting on much new growth, if any. You'll need to cut out the portion of the plant that is rotting, make a cutting from a healthy part of the plant, and replant it.
   

Warnings

• Be careful. Wandering Jew sap can cause skin irritation in humans and allergic reactions in dogs.^[13]

Things You'll Need

• Cuttings or a plant
• Peat moss based potting soil
• Pot or hanging basket
• Water
• Fertilizer
• Aqua Globes (optional)
• Pruning shears (optional)

Related wikiHows

• How to Care for Your Plants
• How to Care for Indoor Plants
• How to Care for an Indoor Bamboo Plant
• How to Care for Your Aloe Vera Plant

Sources and Citations

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from How to of the Day http://ift.tt/1KDhiwh

How to Trim Your Cat's Nails

A cat may need its nails trimmed to keep them from splitting or breaking, and you may find it productive to trim off the sharp points of your cat’s nails if the cat is prone to kneading, scratching, etc. Trimming a cat’s nails is fairly easy once you get your cat accustomed to it. Read on for detailed instructions.

Steps

Preparing Your Cat

1. Pet your cat’s paws. Most cats are naturally a little skittish about having their paws handled, so begin by helping your cat get accustomed to it.^[1]
   
   • Wait for a time when your cat is relaxed and lounging.
   • Begin gently petting its paws while simultaneously petting the cat in its favorite spots (the back of the neck, under the chin, where its back meets its tail, etc.).
   • Do this for each paw you plan to trim.
   • The cat might pull its paws away, or even get up and walk away. Let it go; don't force it to do anything, but continue to gently pet its paws when you have the opportunity.
   • Whenever you handle your cat’s paws, reward it with treats and praise to help build positive associations.
2. Hold your cat’s paws. Once your cat is comfortable enough to allow you to rest your hand on its paws without pulling away, start to gently hold its paws in your open hand.
   
   • Place your hand over the cat’s paw, then flip your hand around so the bottom of the cat's paw is on the palm of your hand.
   • Keep rewarding the cat with petting and treats; give the cat a new, special treat that will only be associated with cutting its claws.
3. Massage your cat’s paws. After your cat grows accustomed to you holding its paws, start holding the paws and massaging them with your fingers.^[2]
   
   • Gently massage your fingers over the tops and bottoms of each paw you plan to trim.
   • Reward your cat with more treats and praise.
4. Look closely at your cat’s nails. Eventually, you should be able to gently squeeze the paws (applying most of the pressure on the pads) to push individual claws out without upsetting your cat.^[3]
   
   • When your cat’s claws are extended, you’ll see the thick part of the nail, and, towards the cat’s toe, a pinkish area inside the nail, called the quick.
   • The quick is the living part of the nail and contains blood vessels and nerves, so cutting a cat’s nail to the quick is quite painful for the cat. Never cut a cat's nail close to or with flush with the toe; your aim is to clip off only the sharp point.^[4]
   • Look carefully at where and how large each quick is--through a clear nail it will look like a small pink triangle. Each of your cat’s nails will be similar, so even if the cat has dark nails, look to find one clear nail as a reference point for the others.
5. Get your cat comfortable with the “nail-trimming position.” If your cat is already comfortable sitting in the right position to have its nails cut, it will put up less of a fight during the actual trimming.
   
   • If you're going to be trimming the cat's nails by yourself, the cat will need to sit on its rear on your lap, facing away from you, while you hold its paw with one hand (and, eventually, the clippers with the other).
   • Practice having your cat sit this way and hold each of its paws. Gently press on each nail to extend it. Again, reward the cat with treats and praise.^[5]
   • If you have someone to help, they can hold the cat facing you, or they can cradle it, while you hold the paw with one hand (and, eventually, clip with the other).
   • Practice having your assistant hold your cat while you hold each of its paws and gently press each claw until your cat seems comfortable. Reward it with treats and praise.

Trimming a Cat’s Nails by Yourself

1. Wait for the right opportunity. You can't trim your cat’s nails whenever you feel like it. You should pick a time when your cat is feeling nice and relaxed, such as when it's just coming out of a nap, getting ready to nap, or calmly resting on its favorite surface during the day.^[6]
   
   • Another good time for nail trimming is after your cat has eaten and is feeling sleepy and content.
   • Don't try to trim your cat's nails right after play time, when it’s hungry, when it's restless and running around, or in an otherwise aggressive mood. The cat will be far from receptive to you trimming its nails.
   • You may see that your cat has a broken or splitting nail and will want to cut it instantly, but don’t. Make a note of it and wait for your cat to get relaxed before trying to cut it, or you could make it worse.
2. Use the right tools. Before sitting down to cut your cat’s nails, be sure you have the right equipment to do so. To trim your cat's nails, you’ll need a pair of nail clippers designed to clip cat claws and a styptic pencil.^[7]
   
   • There are several different styles of nail clippers, all of which largely do the same job. The most important thing is that the clippers are sharp, so they snip straight through the claw. Not only will using dull clippers make the job longer and harder, you may end up squeezing the quick, which can be painful for the cat. There are two primary styles of clipper: scissor and guillotine clippers.
   • Scissor clippers cut a cat’s nails using a scissor motion and usually come in small and large sizes. The small “nippers” tend to be better for those new to clipping nails or if you just need to snip the tips. Larger scissor clippers are suited to cutting older, tougher nails.
   • Guillotine clippers use a sliding blade that cuts the nail when you squeeze the handles together. The claw fits into a slot and the blade slides across to clip the nail. These are strong clippers that are good for cutting long, thick nails (but not overgrown nails--large clippers are better suited to that).
   • If the clippers are sharp the cat won't feel the quick clip. Clippers don't stay sharp forever, so discard them (or send them for sharpening) if you suspect the blades have gone dull. Signs of this include having to apply a lot of pressure to cut the nail or the nail being “chewed” by the clippers rather than making a clean cut.
   • Also have a styptic pencil on hand in case you cut the cat’s quick (which is less likely with a cat than a dog, as the cat's quick is much shorter). Styptic pencils are readily available from pharmacies (typically in the shaving section). They cauterize blood vessels when touched to the nail and help prevent bleeding. If you cut the quick, you can hold the styptic pencil to the claw for 1 - 2 minutes and the bleeding should stop.
3. Collect your cat and place it in the “nail-trimming position,” with its rear on your lap and its back towards you.^[8]
   
   • Hold the clippers in one hand and hold your cat’s paw in the other.
   • Gently squeeze the top and bottom of your cat’s paw, on the joint just behind the claw to extend the claw.^[9]
4. Find the place where the nail separates from the quick. Be sure you know where the quick is before you attempt to cut the nail--the quick will look like a small, pinkish triangle inside the nail.
   
   • You should first cut just the tip of the nails, and as you get more comfortable, you can cut closer to the quick, but never cut all the way to the quick or you can hurt your cat and make its nails bleed.
5. Cut the nails with the trimmers. Hold the cat as described earlier and cut the nails one by one. Position the trimmers halfway between the end of the quick and the claw.
   
   • Try to orient the clippers so that when the nail is cut, the blade cuts from bottom to top. This will help prevent splitting.
   • Try to avoid getting frustrated. Your cat may protest, meow, and try to scratch you, but don't yell at your cat or rush through the process, or you may end up hurting it and scaring it away having its nails trimmed again.
   • You may only be able to trim one or two nails at a time at first.
6. Give your cat a treat. It’s been a good sport about letting you cut its nails and should be rewarded for enduring it.
   
   • Make the treat special: vacuum-packed salmon, chicken, or cheese. Some cats also like sour cream or butter.
   • Using a special treat ensures that your cat begins to associate this treat with getting its nails trimmed. So though your cat may not love the nail-trimming part, it'll want the treat afterwards, so it'll be less resistant in the future.
7. Check your cat's nails regularly. Each cat's nails grow at a different rate, but it's a good rule of thumb to trim your cat's nails somewhere between every two weeks and every month so that its nails don't get too long, split, or break.
   
   • Though your cat will be sharpening its claws and keeping them in good shape on its own, keep an eye on their nails nonetheless. Your cat could be walking around with a broken nail, and you can help it out by trimming it into shape.
   • Older cats need special attention because their nails are thicker and can sometimes press around into the pads, cutting into them. Check your older cat's nails every week and clip the tip off if necessary. This is much easier than letting the nails get overgrown, which can cause them to impact into the pads. If this happens, the cat will need to see a veterinarian because antibiotics may be necessary.^[10]

Trimming Your Cat’s Nails with Help

1. Choose a person your cat knows and trusts. Don't get a stranger or relative stranger to help you trim your cat's nails or your cat will be even more scared.
   
   • Though it sounds good and fine to get your cat used to having its nails trimmed, the reality is, many cats will still protest every single time, and you may have to get some extra help to do it.
2. Have your helper hold the cat in place. You can both try standing on opposite sides of a raised surface, like a counter.
   
   • Both of you should talk calmly and reassuringly to the cat.
   • Have your helper pet the cat and try to keep it in place by holding on to its body without hurting it or scaring it too much.
   • If your cat enjoys being brushed, the other person can brush the cat to distract it from the fact that it's getting its nails trimmed. Have your helper brush the cat’s head, under its neck, or in other places where it enjoys being brushed.
3. Hold one of your cat's paws in your hand. While holding the paw, push down on the pad to extend the claws.
   
   • If your cat is being rowdy, wait for it to settle down so that you can isolate the paw.
4. Trim your cat's nails as you normally would. Your helper will continue to distract the cat while you trim its claws.
   
   • Just follow the directions in the previous section to make sure you give your cat a smooth, painless nail trim.
   • When you're done, reward your cat with a nice treat.
5. Check your cat's nails on a regular basis. Every cat's nails will grow at a different rate, but it's good practice to trim your cat's nails somewhere between every two weeks and every month so that its nails don't get too long, split, or break.
   
   • Though your cat will likely sharpen its claws and keep them in good shape on its own, keep an eye on its nails nonetheless. Your cat could be walking around with a broken nail, and you can help it out by trimming it into shape.
   • Older cats need special attention because their nails are thicker and can sometimes press around into the pads and cut into them. Check your older cat's nails every week, and clip the tip off if necessary. This is much easier than letting the nails get overgrown, which can cause them to impact into the pads. If this happens then the cat will need to see a veterinarian because antibiotics may be necessary.^[11]

Tips

• If you are unsure exactly where to cut, ask someone to show you how it's done. Most vets, animal shelters, and groomers are happy to provide a free demonstration.
• Start with the back claws first. Many cats will try to use their hind legs to get free, but if you've already cut them, you won't get scratched as easily.
• Many cats can be clipped when they are snoozing next to their human companions. If you can remember to keep the clippers nearby, you may be able to accomplish this very necessary bit of cat care without disturbing the cat's important rest.
• It helps if paws are wet for long-haired cats.
• Don't forget the dew claws! Most cats have two dewclaws, one on each front leg. These are like a small thumb, located on the side of the front legs, just below the wrist. Because these claws don't get used much, they tend to overgrow and should be checked monthly in a healthy young cat.^[12]
• Trimming off less of the nail more frequently is better than taking the chance of cutting too deep. If you cut too deep, it's going to be harder to trim the nails later on.
• You can condition your cat as a kitten--even as young as a month old. At that age, small fingernail clippers work well as the claws are tiny. Just clip off the ends. Then be sure to provide a treat. The sooner they associate nail clipping with treats, the better.
• Covering the cat's eyes or obscuring the cat's vision of the trimming process may help for some cats.
• If you need to trim your cat’s nails but its putting up a fight, you can wrap the cat in a towel or blanket and extend one arm or leg out at a time. If you must do this, however, it's probably because you haven't had time to condition the cat, and it will be harder to do so again once the cat associates nail trimming with trauma.

Warnings

• Do not use nail clippers or scissors made for humans. It splits the cat's nails.
• Be very careful not to cut too far back and hit the quick. It is very painful for the cat.^[13]
• The ASPCA strongly discourages “declawing” a cat, which can cause nerve damage as well as emotional distress in a cat. Instead, trim a cat’s claws every few weeks and provide scratching posts or surfaces.^[14]

Related wikiHows

• How to Give a Cat Medicine
• How to Clip Dog Nails
• How to Bathe a Cat
• How to Make Cat Jungle Gyms and Playgrounds
• How to Keep Litter from Clumping in Your Kitty's Paws
• How to Teach Your Cat to Give a Handshake
• How to Communicate With Your Cat
• How to Care for a Cat's Paws

Sources and Citations

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