My cat gives me such a hard time when I cut her nails. Any tips?

Question

She crys bloody murder and squirms like I am trying to murder her or something.

Answer 1

hehehe, cats r so naughty! I just keep talking to mine, sometimes i cut one full paw..then let them go for a bit and work on another... and good that u didn't de-claw your cat...it's her own natural defense against predators and it's like cutting of your finger up to the first digit!

http://www.caws.org/catclaws.html

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/cat_care/how_to_trim_a_cats_claws.html

http://www.declawing.com/

Answer 2

Tips? Yes - don't cut her nails.

Cat's need a scratching post to maintain their own nails. What many people don't realize is that cats have part of their fingers in their nails (they have really long nail beds, going almost to the tip) and it is easy for you to actually cut your cat while trimming their nails. If you ever nicked them while doing this, they will never forget it and will balk every time.

I have had better luck bringing out a nail file or emery board and filing their nails if they are too sharp or ragged. They aren't thrilled with this either, but since they can't get cut this way, they don't mind nearly as much.

My cats always made it a game - I would file on their nails once or twice, then they would play with the file, bite it, then I would file a bit more. It got so that when I brought the file out to do my own nails, they thought it was playtime.

Peace!

Answer 3

i used to work at a vet's office and have found this method works well on my cat's at home... put the cat on a surface that will allow you to stand (counter tops in bathrooms work well) then get it in a sitting posistion and wrap your arm around her shoulder area and tuck her bum into your hip area... this keeps her back feet from going anywhere and she can't wiggle out as easy. then with one hand, grab her front paw and push on the pad of her toe to get the nail to extend and just trim off the tip, this leaves them with enough to defend themselves, but keeps the tip from allowing them to destroy furniture.

If that doesn't work, wrap a big soft dry towel around the cat, with just it's head sticking through but give it enough room that you can comfortablly get the cat's leg out to trim the nails. this keeps it from squirming and scratching.

If those ideas don't work, go to a local vet, it takes about 5 minutes and shouldn't be more then ten bucks!

Never declaw a cat, it's mutalation and extremely painful and the cat will never be able to defend it's self! Plus because vets don't like to do it, the procedure is always expensive!

Answer 4

Try wrapping her in a towel with only the foot you're working on sticking out. If possible, get someone to hold her while you clip the nails. Only do one paw at a time, then let her go. Even if it takes you a couple of days to get them all done, so what? It'll be less traumatic for you both!

Answer 5

Why are you cutting the cats nails? !!!
Cats nails are their defence system. When they are outside they need their claws for climbing and fighting and hunting.. so have you.
Get a scratching post for the cat and the cat will take care of their own nails.

Answer 6

Hold her by the scruff of the neck on your lap. The "scruff" is the loose skin on the back of their neck. This calms the cat and restrains them. Don't pick her up by the scruff though as this will hurt!! Try wrapping her in a towel if that doesn't work. Also I use large fingernail clippers to trip my cats nails!!

Answer 7

HI cutest kitty! I always do one paw a day. You should hold them, use cat clippers from a pet store, gently rub the base of the paw and then push firmly towards the nail area and it should be easier. Just talk to your baby as you do it.

Answer 8

Have someone help you when you cut your cat's nails or try going to a groomer's place like Petco or Petsmart they can cut nails like a pro and it is cheap! Good Luck !!!

Answer 9

Is your cat an outdoor cat too!...they need sharp claws to defend themselves if so...but then again, maybe you are not being gentle enough with your kitty...last but not least....some cats just do not get off on the grooming aspect you are trying to introduce

Answer 10

Pay the vet to do it for you.
Or have her de-clawed & don't allow her outside...she'd be minus her natural defenses in the wild.

modify) Perhaps you were so careless as to cut the quick. In this case, have the vet show you how not to do this.