The short answer for a Sphynx
Trim only the sharp tip of a Sphynx claw, stopping well before the pink quick that is easy to see against her bare skin and pale claws. Before you clip, wipe the oily residue that gathers around each nail bed, because that film can hide the claw shape and make a tip look longer or shorter than it is. Keep the room warm and the session short, since a hairless cat loses body heat fast, and check every toe, including the dewclaws.
Why Sphynx claws look different
A Sphynx has no coat to soften the outline of her paws, so her claws, toe pads, and the skin between them are all on view, and so is the dark, waxy buildup that collects in the folds around each nail. That buildup is normal for the breed, but it changes a trim: a claw caked in residue is harder to judge, and a clipper can slip on a greasy surface. Sphynx cats also tend to be warm-seeking and people-oriented, often happy to curl against an owner, which helps handling, provided you do not let her get cold on a bare table. Their claws are sturdy and curved, and without fur to cushion a snag, a hooked tip catches bedding and clothing readily.
Preparing paws you can actually see
Warm the room first and lay a soft blanket on your lap so she has a warm surface to settle on. Use a damp, soft cloth to wipe gently around each nail bed, removing surface residue without scrubbing the skin raw, and let the paws dry before you clip. Choose sharp cat clippers and check them on a single tip before committing to the rest: a clean slice matters more on a visible claw, where a crushed edge shows and can split. In good light, examine each claw and note the pink quick in pale claws; on any darker claw, remove only the narrowest hook at the end.
Clipping a Sphynx paw by paw
Hold one paw in a warm hand, press a single toe pad to extend the claw, and snip straight across the tip. Release the toe, check the cut edge, and move on only when she is still settled. If she shivers, hunches, or seeks a blanket, pause and warm her up rather than pushing through, since a cold Sphynx will squirm and a squirming paw is how a cut goes too deep. A few claws per sitting is plenty, and the dewclaws deserve special attention because they sit clear of the ground and wear the least. If a claw bleeds, apply gentle pressure and stay calm, and contact a veterinarian if bleeding does not stop quickly or a toe stays sore, swollen, or warm to the touch.
Keeping Sphynx claws in shape
Because Sphynx skin oils return quickly, pair claw checks with her regular wipe-down routine, checking tips every couple of weeks and trimming when they hook or catch. Keep a scratching surface available so old sheaths shed naturally between trims, and inspect the skin between toes during each session, since redness or soreness there is easier to spot on a hairless cat and worth raising with a veterinarian. Keep sessions warm, brief, and rewarded, and the trim becomes part of her regular care rather than an event she dreads. KinsLe Care Teams helps a Sphynx household keep one shared record of claw trims and skin notes, so any helper can see what was checked last time.