What's the best way to clip a cat's nails without getting scratched?

Question

At the vet's she was so calm when she came out from getting them clipped. I want to know their secret because I don't have the time to take her and I need to bathe her tonight... scratch-free.

Answer 1

The biggest key to this is you. Be calm and keep your voice soothing and soft. The calm energy you project towards the cat will go a long way to getting the animal to be calm as well.

For cutting nails also try swaddling the cat. Wrap her up like a baby with only paw sticking out of the swaddling so you can hold her without worrying about the other three paws and can cut the other one. If a cat doesn't have the ability to struggle they will often just tensely submit to whatever you are trying to do.

Swaddling works great for a number of things, claw clipping, getting them to take pills or other meds.

But whenever you do something to the cat who is an unwilling participant in the event remember to praise her highly and provide a special treat (freeze dried liver, a bit of CatSip milk) that is reserved only for these occasions. Get the treat ready prior to the event and let her see what it is. Over time she will begin to understand that that particular treat means she will have to work with you to get the goodies.

Even if she was bad tempered and scratched you give the treat when you complete the task. It will build her confidence and trust in you.

Answer 2

At the vet's office, cats are either put in a bag-like contraption or "scruffed & stretched" (a very gentle form of restraint...they hold the cat's scruff and back legs, lay cat on it's side). It usually takes 2 people for them to do it. To do it at home, you can: do it while she's sleeping, have someone hold her (hug her tight to themself), or wrap her in a towel. The towel method works well, but it's difficult to get at just one foot at a time. Place a towel under the cat, lay the cat down, and wrap the towel snugly around body...joining ends of towel at cat's back. Use a human nail clippers or cat naim clippers and just take off a little bit so you don't hit the quick. Even if you can get the nails trimmed, she will likely still scratch...it just won't break the skin as easily. For the bath, you should try to scruff her (get a good grip on her scruff) with one hand and wash with other...this will help you control her and also help keep her from biting.
If she's ok for nail trims at the vet, she'll likely be ok at home.

Answer 3

I've always been able to clip cats nails. Start petting them,it's best if you can get them at least half way on your lap,then get the paw and splay their toes out and rub the bottom of the foot,then clip the nails,make sure you use the special clippers that are meant for their nails and don't trim to much off,just trim the sharp point off. If the cat starts to get mad take a break and trim the rest of the nails later,don't forget the dew claws that are higher up.

Answer 4

- clip only the tip of its nails; don't cut into the nerve ! Cats have a very good memory for job botchers, and the next time will be much more difficult. Have an hemetic nearby just in case.

- give your cat a treat after the nails are done to reward its patience. Your cat might come to look forward to nail clipping sessions !

- one complete session might be too long for your cat. Cut its nails during 2 or three sessions to avoid testing its patience.

- cut them regularly, maybe on a weekly basis - that way its nails will never grow too long to scratch you !

Answer 5

well, I'm ganna give you your answer, but... If you dont like your' cats nails, you should just get her de-clawed. It doesn't hurt them, it not mean, and de-clawed cats are usually healthier. Unless it's an outside then don't de-claw it! LOL
But the vet's secret is they put it to temp-paralize. Instead of putting it under for the nail cutting, the hook it up to a systum and it pumps a (gas) into the animals lungs. Kinda like laughing gas that u get at the dentist! So you can't do that, but... if you are able to get two people one needs to grab the extra skin on the back of the cat's neck and the other holds and clips, or another holds, and another clips. When a cat has the skin on the back of there neck grabbed they can barrely move, so the holder doesn't do much, just have the hand on the belly and back legs just incase it flails real quick.

good luck, hope i helped.
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Answer 6

in case you push out between the nails and look heavily, you will discover the fast, a white section below the clearer nail. Clip close to to that. reducing the fast is painful and the cat might bleed a sprint... even nonetheless that's not tragic in case you do, they would be ok. that's way much less painful than declawing. solid on you for no longer declawing your cats! in case you trim their claws, they are going to develop back, even nonetheless it makes the scratching extremely much less painful to you for a mutually as :) solid luck!

Answer 7

Rub the spot on the base of the tail and the cat will get all nice. Do this as you clip or have someone clip and you'll achieve success.

Answer 8

Nefertiti, declawing is inhumane, and yes, you need to clip your cat's nails if they're kept indoors. When they chew on their nails, they're not biting the tips off, they're simply trying to pull the casings off. If we don't clip our cats' nails, they get so long that they start to snag on everything . That's what Blaze's were like when we first got him. He was so much happier after we clipped 'em.

But I don't have too many suggestions on what to do since I've only bathed and clipped Blaze so far....and he's pretty easy-going. There are bags, though....let me check...YUP! Found it. The Klaw Kontrol Bag;
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2002+113036

AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT DECLAWED CATS ARE HEALTHIER? EVEN IF THEY'RE INDOORS? I don't frickin' think so. Jeeze, people, check your facts before spewing bullsh*t.

Answer 9

Two person job - somebody holds the cat while you clip. Or ask the vet what their secret is!

Answer 10

I do it when she is asleep she woke up a couple of times but then she didnt mind it so she went back to sleep make sure u only clip the tip of it if she ever goes outside i suggest you dont clip them.A dog might try to get her but w/the claws she will be able to defend herself