Trimming an scaredy-cat's nails? HELP!?

Question

My 3 year old cat HATES having her nails trimmed, but she's an indoor-only pet so there's no question that it's absolutely necessary.

I've been doing it since she was a week old and it's never gotten easier. I've always been gentle - never trimmed more than the tip, never hurt her - use specialized cat clipper/scissors, have someone else to help hold her, wrap her in a towel/blanket, everything I can think of to make it as comfortable an experience as possible - yet it never fails that I walk away bleeding!

I refuse to pay $18-25 every other week or so to take her to a vet or groomer to have them do it for me, but the hassle is becoming more than I (or she) can bare! What else can I do?

PLEASE - any serious suggestions would be sincerely appreciated!

Answer 1

Clipping nails can be traumatic for both you and kitty, but is a good idea. I work with 4-H kids helping them learn how to clip nails. We require nails to be clipped for the kitty to be shown. You seem to have some good practices in place, using the right tool, having assistance and the towel.
My best advice is stay calm, if you are nervous and anxious about it kitty will pick up on that. Try different positions, I cradle the cat on it back against my side so I can maintain control. Also you can try rescue remedy (which can be purchased the pet store or health food store). This is a homeopathic mixture that contains calming herbs. Give kitty a dose wait 15 mins and proceed with the duty.
You can clip the nail safely up to 1/8 of an inch from the quick, which is the pink center in the nail. The shorter you cut it the less often you will have to clip them.

Answer 2

i sometimes pay the $25 dollars it actually is more like $65 because the Lil' guy will freak out so he has to be sedated. But he needs a bath.
Any-who when i need to cut his nails i wait till he's super comfy and i pet him get him really nice i do this while holding him in my lap maybe on the couch or a love seat or something (i don't use a towel makes him scared every time he sees one) i put my arm around the front of his body and hold his paw w/ that hand. and cut the nails w/ the other. he gets scared but i just keep doing it and try to do it fast and not get angry w/ him. He still mews a lil but its just cause he's scared I'm going to hurt him. he has never been able to get away or hurt me and never stays mad. once I'm done i pet him and tell him he was a very brave Lil' boy. maybe give him a treat.
FYI i don't cut his back nails he takes care of those ones him self.

Answer 3

One reason a lot of cats have a problem with this is the restraint.... They don't like being held back for anything,
Something i would recomend that works on most of my cats is begin rubbing the pads on her paws first, and do it often, not just when your clipping. you'll notice that her claws will open right up and spread as she's enjoying it. Don't hold the rest of her paw or leg, just the pad and upper paw. Let her take it in, and enjoy, show her you're not going to restrain her.
Once you can see she's totally relaxed whisper to her while you keep rubbing and clip each slowly.
She may also not like the sound. If you put a cotton ball in each ear (Gently!!!) it'll muffle the sound, and she won't be so scared.
Hope this helps, Enjoy, Merry Christmas.

Answer 4

I cut my cat's nails every 1-2 weeks. She has a tendency to cut herself open due to her fragile skin. I have cat nail trimmers, and I just hold her paw so that I push out an individual claw and then clip the white part of the nail. If you cut the claws too short (the pinkish region), it will bleed and it will hurt. My vet will teach people how to trim their pets nails, so that they can do it at home, where the animal is more relaxed.

Answer 5

I used to do my cat's by myself. I thought he'd kill me until I tried this method.
Kneel over cat (with cat between legs) while cat is on floor, on tummy
Gently take one paw, talking gently telling cat that claws are starting to hurt me and they needed to be trimmed so that we can still play
Use knees to very gently restrain cat as you trim nails
Sometimes I only got a few done at a time, but kitty was much calmer for this than the two person or towel methods.
Best of luck.

Answer 6

Well... I trim my cats' claws only when they are asleep and relaxed. And I do it a little at a time becuase I stop as soon as they become fully alert. Takes time, I know but is less stressful to them and to me! So, at any one time, I would succeed in trimming maybe 5 - 7 claws before Kaffe wakes and hides his feet. Then I let him be... he falls asleep again... I go back half hour later and do some more... he stirrs but doesn't hide his claws. I continue gently trimming other claws until I'm done. Mind you, some sessions are better than the others! Good luck!

Answer 7

You have alot of good suggestions in these posts (but not the oven one).

I own six cats. Three of them have all of their claws and one has only her back claws. The other two are declawed.

Play with their feet all the time. Show her that your not hurting her. If she is sitting on your lap, play with her feet. Do this while also petting her favorite places.

Now one of my tricks to cutting nails and doing it quietly is to wait till they are sleeping. Sometimes, not always, I can get at least two paws done before they wake up. Then I just wait till they go back to sleep to get the other two paws.

Also, try distractions. If you can distract them while you are cutting their nails it will help. Use toys, treats, etc.

Finally, with one of my cats, I let him see the clippers before I cut his nails and let him play with them afterwards (supervised of course). But I don't use pet nail clippers, I use normal people clippers. I find them easier to control and the cats don't find them so scary.

Answer 8

Another alternative is those little clear caps to put on the cat's claws. It lasts a lot longer then clipping. Check your local pet store. One major brand is Soft Paws.

Answer 9

it takes a big towel and at least two people, wrap her up and attack one paw at a time with the other person holding her still, i have three of the little sharp fingered beasties.

Answer 10

Put it in the oven.