How can I trim the nails of my temperamental kitty?

Question

I've tried holding him down under a blanket, having someone else hold him firmly, have someone else trim his nails while I hold him, tried grabbing him while hes sleepy or while hes awake and frisky, and nothing works. He claws and bites and thrashes his way away.

He goes for weeks and weeks before we can get them done again, and his nails are getting so long now that he doesn't seem to be able to control them like he should! I just don't know what to do, nothing seems to work. Short of taking him to the vet each time and having them give him a tranquilizer to trim them, I don't see how we can do them without serious scratching or biting being done to us. His back claws are even worse than the front, so just removing them won't work since those are left in. Any suggestions??

Answer 1

My best suggestion would be to have someone else hold him w/his belly out towards you. With a blanket or towel cover the paws securely that you aren't trimming so to not get clawed. Or, it sounds funny, but you can make or buy extremely padded paw mittens, and tape them securely at the ankle. Take them off and put them back on one by one as you do the nails.

Answer 2

I've got a cat who is just as fierce. The last check at the dr's office they had to put her to sleep to do a fecal!

You take the person who he most trusts. Sit him in your lap like a baby (facing out). Hold each paw in one hand and press the kitty's body against yours. A second person comes along (we use toenail clippers--the human kind), spreads her claws and clips as quickly as possible.

It helps when she's sleepy, you're right. If you can't do it, I'd ask the dr. for a sedative and do it while he's doped up. You can't let his nails grow like that, because everytime he decides he doesn't like you for a minute, you get really hurt. Short nails are not nearly so bad.

I thought the person she trusted should be the person who clips, but she was much calmer with the person she trusts holding her.

For all kitty lovers--
Debbie
TX Mom

Answer 3

I have a kitty with an attitude but I have one thing in my favor - he will put up with anything for food. So I give him a kitty crunchy for every nail I trim. Sometimes a crunchy or two to occupy him while I get the next one. If he gets frustrated I quit and do the rest the next day. then I just give him a little less for dinner that night. If yours is highly food motivated for a certain treat, you might just be able to pull it off. Just be patient and don't necessarily try to get them all in one sitting. And get him when he's a little hungry.

Answer 4

I cut my cat's nails when he's sleeping otherwise, I put him between my legs while we're on the floor, my feet blocking the back exit, and my hands around his front to grab his feet.

But I like it when he's sleeping. It works a lot better! Try cutting when he's sleeping. You might not be able to cut all for feet at once, but it's the best way.

Answer 5

get her declawed! if not he needs a scratching post,or scratching rug thing ...she needs to scratch them shorter.