What is the best way to clip my cat's claws?

Question

She puts up such a fight. It would be sooo much easier if I could put her to sleep first. Would 1/4 of an otc sleeping pill hurt her? I don't want to harm her at all, just clip her claws without causing an international incident! I've tried wrapping her in a towel, holding her close... nothing works... and I have the scars to prove it. Meanwhile she is getting her claws stuck in things, clawing up the furniture and slicing me open everytime I try to pet her. Please help!

Answer 1

Hi Darcy...cats cannot metabolize human medications and most can be lethal if not prescribed by a veterinarian. A veterinarian will sometimes offer to prescribe a mild tranquilzer that is used commonly for pets called Acepromazine (aka ACE) to help lower the anxiety/stress. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_acepromazine.html

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

Here are the steps we use to densitize our exotic cats when preparing them to get used to having their claws clipped.
Begin by touching their paws regularly while you are playing or resting together. This is to densitize them so they learn that touching the paws isn't a stressful event. Over time you can begin to gently squeeze the paws to extend the claws and then let go...offer a cat treat so your cat learns to associate that a good treat always follows handling of her paws. Next step is to extend the nails and tap on them and then give a treat. After this, you can touch a clipper next to her nail (not clipping them) and offer a treat. Once she shows she is comfortable with having her nails extended and tapped on with the clippers you can then snip a tip and then quickly offer her a treat aftwards. Sometimes only one nail per treat can be done is best to minimize the stress.

Answer 2

Either get someone to help you or do what I do. First of all, wait till the cat is asleep, preferably on your knees, then gently take her paw and clip the claws slowly and with as little invasiveness as possible. I.E. Don't smoosh her paw as you're getting her claw to poke out :)
Another thing is, how old is your cat? If she's older and not used to that, it's strictly a conditioning thing. While clipping a claw, make sure you pet her, talk in a soothing, calm voice and give her a treat every now and then. But make sure also that you don't give her the treat every single time otherwise she won't do it without the treats.
If all else fails, get her claw covers. They're silicone pockets for claws and are very convenient if you've got a fussy cat. I believe you can find them online, Google it.

Answer 3

No, it would not damage anymore than slicing your fingernails damage. you pick to verify no longer to shrink into the fast that is the red, pink or black triangular formed part of the claw. which will damage the cat and would bleed, clone of slicing into the floor of your finger may damage and bleed even as slicing your fingernails. the right thanks to clip the cat's claws without hurting that is to have 2 human beings do the activity. Wrap the cat in a towel with one paw sticking out. Have one human being carry the cat and soothe it even as the different human being presses on the paw to amplify all claws. Use a clipper designed for clipping claws to instantly and in a unmarried circulate shrink the fill up the claw. once you've carried out that paw, tuck it interior the towel and get rid of the subsequent paw, then artwork on that paw. if you're doing it properly you received't damage your cats.

Answer 4

I would suggest you take her to the vet to do it. Watch the vet while she does it so you can learn how. There is a certain way you have to cut their claws or you can hurt them badly if you cut too far up. And you should always use a special pet toenail clipper. And PLEASE DO NOT give your cat sleeping pills. The only kind of pills you should be giving your cat are anything that her vet has prescribed for her. Otherwise even in a tiny dose it can be fatal for your pet.

Answer 5

Get someone to help you. Put the towel over her head with just one paw out at a time. When you hold her paw push on the middle pad of the foot. This will extend the nails enough to see and cut them. DO NOT USE ANY HUMAN DRUGS WITH OUT INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE VET. Good luck.

Answer 6

Try taking her to a groomer or the vet. You could also try the "tips" that you can glue on to cover the tips...they are a plastic/rubber "cap" that come in several colors. Check the bigger pet stores. (Petsmart, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus) or their online sites. They aren't very costly, and come w/enough "caps" to last a couple months. (The pkg says one set will last about a month.)

For a good book to determine if OTC "people meds" are ok for your cat, try the "The Pill Book Guide to Medication for Your Dog and Cat." (link below for Amazon.com)

Answer 7

Do not give her human pills!!! They could kill her.

Your vet may be able to prescribe a cat sleeping pill, but it may be worth it to take it to the groomers (it usually only costs about $5 for a clipping)

Answer 8

3 ways to clip it.
*1 You can take her to the vet (somtimes it cost
$money$ though)

*2 Groomer clip nails just ask em!!

*3 Ask a vet for sleepers (pills that puts cat ZzZ..)they should tell ya the right amount(vets)

Answer 9

The thing I do is cover my cats eyes with a towel while I clip them and have someone else hold his front paws and someone else hold the back paws alot of work but it works for me .

Answer 10

If the pill is made for cats and your Vet says ok, do it. If it's for people it could kill her.