Any tips on the easiest way to cut my kitties' nails? They resist, even when napping?

Question

Don't suggest the vet. I have worse trouble getting them in their carrier

Answer 1

Hi there...generally for cats who are more feisty to have their nails trimmed it's helpful to bundle them into a towel similar how a baby is swaddled and then pull out the paw which you would like to trim the nails. Some people find that having two people involved may be easier...one to restrain while the cat is swaddled in the towel and the other person trimming the nails.

Here's an instructional video by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine on how to easily trim a cat's nails: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/trimming_claws/index.shtml

Answer 2

i worked at a vet clinic and the only cats i saw that were even moderately well-behaved for a clipping were tiny kittens or cats that had been regularly trimmed since they were tiny kittens. so if you get any more cats, clip them often from the start so it doesn't seem like a threatening behavior to them.

as for the ones you have, get someone (a solo nail trim is impossible on all but the most docile of dogs) to scruff them tightly in the dominant hand, lay them on one side and hold the upper back foot to restrain it while pressing the hand down on the lower back leg. ths is the standard blood-draw position and usually this will keep the cat still. if it still squirms you might try a 'cat muzzle' a tiny nylon mask that will cover that cat's face and still let it breathe. this way it won't bite anyone and sometimes just the sensation of darkness will calm the cat. (and the sensation of not being bitten will calm you)

you say you do not want to go to the vet but if you clip the nails too high and make your cat bleed it will be even worse for the next clipping as it will associate it with pain. unlike other posters, i ecommend you buy clippers especially for cat nails. it's easier to get a clean cut with them. always reward your cat with a treat or play after each clipping. clip frequently to get your cat in the habit and also so that the veins do not enlarge and make it easier to clip off too much.

now, about that carrier: get a hard plastic carrier with a metal gate that closes as a door. flip it up vertically with the hole at the top. gravity is your friend. grab your kitty when she's somewhat calm. drop her in and shut the door. my cat is very afraid of carriers and vets and this works every time.

some of the problem may be that you're letting your kitties be the boss. i was like this before i worked at a clinic. i was afraid i would hurt them too much if i held the scruff too tightly, etc.

finally i just want to commend you for not taking the easy way out with a declawing. i've seen cats recover fine from them but it still seems cruel. if the problem with claws is furniture/carpet damage, you might also consider investing in an old sofa they are 'allowed' to claw or some scrap pieces of carpet (free from most carpet stores) you can spriknle around the house for them to claw. proper positive reinforcement/punishment will show them in no time which furniture/carpet is theirs to destroy and which is paws off.

Answer 3

Well sorry to say, but your kitten is out of control. You must teach it manners, you have to live with this animal for probably 15-20 years.

For now its a two person job. For the front paws, scruff the kitten and hold the front legs RIGHT at the arm pits so that the elbow is INFRONT of your hands. This way they can not pull back. Clip away. For the back legs, keep the cat scruffed and hold the back legs between the ankle and the knee, don't support the cat at the legs, it will make it easier to fight.

Other then that, when you are petting your kitten, touch his paws, ears, eyes, nose and teeth. Don't let him away and then praise him after. Repeat this activity until the kitten accepts this. It will make it easier for the vet and you.

Next, the carrier. Scruff the kitten, stand the carrier up and down and put the kitten down in. Close it and away you go. Practice this, keep him in there until he calms down. Also, leave the carrier out and open all the time. Put toys, food and catnip in there to make him go in on his own. Eventually he'll learn you are the boss.

And of course, don't cut the vein in the claw, it won't help the matter if he bleeds and is hurt. Also, people are saying use human clippers, this can put pressure on the claw, and make it splinter. Get yourself a pair of cat clippers, the operate like scissors, are accurate and easy.

Answer 4

I have the best luck using regluar (human) fingernail clippers. My technique is to kneel on the bed or floor and putt kitty so we are facing the same direction and I am above her. Then I quickly clip as many of the sharp hooks off as possible. Sometimes I can only do 1 or 2 at a time (but so what? I mean, it's not like I won't have a chance to do more in a couple of hours, right?) and sometimes I can do all 10 at once with no problem.

My friend has luck putting her cats in an empty (dry, of course) sink with a towel in the bottom. That way they are at an easier height for her to manage.

Good luck and just don't stress about doing them all at once. Cats have moods and might be more receptive to more clipping at one time or another.

Answer 5

I trim my cats' claws only when they are asleep. I confess that I can clip only a few at a time becuase they wake up and then retract their paws. But I never force the issue - I just wait until they are asleep and peaceful again. Sometimes the clipping process takes 2 days like this - but so what? The calws do not grow back that quickly. Besides I would absolutely hate it if I hurt kitty in any way by hurrying up the clipping.

Answer 6

I surely have a similar issue with my dogs! they do no longer seem to love nails being clipped. I variety of cheat and only permit the vet do it as quickly as we choose for verify ups. some situations it somewhat isn't any longer sufficient however, and that i ought to do it. only be certain you do no longer clip too lots or you should wreck the nail and harm the dogs. What shade are her nails? in the event that they are pink or white or diminished, you should be waiting to work out a black/darker bit - do no longer cut back this! If the nails are all dark then it somewhat isn't any longer common to work out. only try to distract dogs with treats and nutrition and ask your mom and dad for help back. do no longer go away the nails. Btw a greater organic way is to take your dogs on loads of walks. Concrete helps to document the nails down somewhat. good success!

Answer 7

I usually use rescue remedy ( http://www.rescueremedy.com/)and leave them for a little bit for them to calm down and then wrap them in a towel just out of the dryer and clip their nails. If you get them to bleed it means you cut them to short and cut the Quik. Then I use a product called QuikStop. Which is almost like a gle for cats, dogs, and birds when you are clip ther enails and you hit the Quik. I prefer the powder over the liquid. This wesite is also very good.
Good luck :)

Answer 8

They're obviously going to resist, but the best way is to either get a friend to hold him for you while you take his paw and snip [regular nail clippers are fine], that way you can do it without too much fidgeting to avoid unnecessary pain and blood. If that doesn't work or seems to complicated or something, you can always get a vet to do it.

Answer 9

take a small blanket or large towel and wrap them up and put them under your left arm.press the pad of the paw to extend the nails out. cut up just below the quick(the pink shadow part under the nail) of the nail its not going to be a walk in the park by any means but then again your not feeding them warm milk either..
here is a great link with pictures.

Answer 10

First off, If your kitty really is a kitten it is important to get her/him use to you holding him in your lap and hold his paws, tocuh them and squezze them gently so the nails extend out. Do not do this when the kitten is all wound up. It is a learning process and you can trim the nails a little at a time. Once your kitty gets use to this, and as your cat grows older you can trim nails like this... It always depends on the individual cat but have ready large toe nail clippers that are sharp and a thick large towel. Pick a time when your cat is sleepy or calm. Take your cat and place him on your lap and began by picking up one paw and squeezing til the nails extend. Trim nail close to but not into tissue that can be seen through the clear claw. Tis will cause pain and bleeding so be careful not to trim to close to the tissue that can be seen through the nail. If your cat hisses, growls or wants to jump out of your lap, talk nicely and let him go. Continue to try in a few minutes or when ever you thik is best and get the cat when he is in a calm mood. That is why it is important to train them from the begining to feel comfortable when you touch their paw pad and squeeze their nails. Then try again til all claws are done. If your cat is already set on hating this then you have to go through more extreme measures. Have your clippers ready and a large thick towel that will completely wrap your cat. You can also buy a cat cover that is just for this purpose or you can make/sew a large cover that has tow small holes in the front for their paws but not thier head. Take the wrapped cat to the bed and lie it down. You will have to be firm but gently hold your cat and get its paw out and trim the claws. You will have to figure out the best way to hold your cat down with your body. Sometimes it takes one person to hold the cat down gently with their body while another person pulls out the cat's paw from the bag and trims the claw. It's awful to do and since their claws need trimed ever week to two, it's a lot of work. I usually have my clippers by my computer and when one of my six cats jump on me and snuggle in then I trim their claws. Even the cat who hates it the most does the best when he is comfortable on my lap. Then I let him go and do it again in a few minutes... Good luck and try to teach your kitty from day one that you will be touching their paws.. And always talk nice things to them when you do!!Good Luck to you and your kitty!