Starting to clip 4-year old cats' claws - Help?

Question

Hi. I have 3 cats (from the same litter), and they're just now 4 years old. I've found it necessary to clip their claws due to carpeting, walls, etc., and after attempting to do it, I realized just how difficult it can be. I tried while they were sleepy, but I think it only made them leap into their full senses. One of them growls, another is simply terrified, and the other, well, I don't remember if I even tried to clip her claws. I'm not going to declaw them... I found out that declawing them damages nerves in their paws...

Does anyone have any advice on how I should go about doing this? I wish I'd started clipping their claws when they were kittens, but since it's too late for that...
Any suggestions?

I found out about declawing through a vet. I'm just taking her word for it, 'cause I figure, she'd probably know since she does it.

Thanks so much to everyone to responded to my question. It was all very helpful. :)

Answer 1

here are some techniques on how to clip their nails:

http://www.catsplay.com/thedailycat/2002-09-09/bringing_grooming/clipping_claws/clipping_claws.html

http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm

if neither of these work for you, you can have their nails clipped by a pro. or your vet

Answer 2

Well, you can't teach an old cat new tricks. LOL. It's really hard to introduce cats that old to such a concept. You are a brave, brave woman.
You first have to introduce the idea of this to them slowly. This whole process can take weeks. You want to gently touch their paws. Hold them lightly in your hand and if they allow you, caress the paws a bit. (ovbiously, the best time to do this is when they're relaxed). Show them that when you touch their paws you are not going to hurt them.
After they are more used to this idea, work your way up to gently squeezing the main pad of their paw in order to expose their claws. Don't squeeze too hard or too long. Just so they understand that you are kind of massaging them and then let go. If they are ever uncomfortable with you doing any of this, let go. If you hang on, it will be a traumatic experience for you both.
After they allow you to expose their nails, show them the nail trimmer. Expose their claws and gently touch the trimmer to a nail. Do not attempt to cut...just get the acclimated to the feel of the metal. If possible, touch the trimmer to each claw and then let go.
Once they are comfortable with this, you can attempt to trim their nails. It is oftentimes helpful to try this while they are relaxed or half way napping. My Madeline gets into a dead sleep and doesn't feel a thing. If they are awake, though don't torture them. If you can get one or two nails clipped before they flip out, just be content with that for one day. The next day, go back and try to get the rest. I find that treats are great motivators for them to act nice. If Madeline is awake and she does a good job, she is handsomely rewarded. Once I bring out the treats, she sits perfectly still.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Well, doing it while they're kittens doesn't seem to help much.

What I do is keep nail trimmers in each place where I sit & relax, because one of my cats will jion me.

I just do whatever the cat will tolerate, so usually it's one or two nails till next time.

Every year when my cat gets a dental, I have the vet clip all the nails, while the cat's 'out'.

I have only ONE cat I've ever been able to trim his back feet- front feet are hard to do but most cats won't even let you THINK about doing the back.

Give them stuff to scratch on. Don't forget to have a clotter ready when you do nails. There is store bought powder or
you could use flour.

BLESS YOU FOR NOT DECLAWING. It can cause all sorts of behavioral problems, as well.

Answer 4

You can take them to the vet and have them get the clipping started. You want to be careful and not cut the vain in the nail. After the vet has got them to a manageable length you should be able to keep them cut.

Also, in between clippings, just "play" with their paws. IE - when you are holding them watching TV or what ever, just rub their paws. They will get use to you touching and holding their paws after a while and you should be able to clip them without the kitties going crazy. Right now they aren't use to it and they don't understand what you are doing.

Answer 5

Absolutely YES! Take all 3 of them to either a good groomer or your vet and have them do it. Sounds like yours are just like mine---anything that "mommy" tries to do to him--even brushing (except with my own hair brush) throws him into being a wild animal. However, at the groomers, they just rave about how great he is to work with! Yeah, RIGHT! But, my groomer explained it to me this way: "Cats will ALWAYS act up for their owners when they try to do anything to them or for them that's out or the "norm", like playing, loving, feeding, etc. You drop him off and LEAVE--so he can't even hear your voice, and he'll be fine." She was right! So, don't attempt this yourself anymore. It only costs a few $$ just to have nails clipped and is well-worth the money compared to what you're going through. Hope this has been of some help to you.

Answer 6

What I did with my two cats I started by holding them for a long time and just grabbing their paws like making them show the nails until they were conferrable. Then make sure that when you start to cut the nails they don’t look at what you are doing and as soon as you are done give them a treat. I really work great with me. Like someone said make sure you don’t cut far back because you might cut a vine and they will bleed.

Answer 7

What you need to do is not let the cat see that you're clipping it's claws. While you're clipping it's claws you should try to calm your cat to the poin't where it's purring. If that dosent work distract it with a bit of food or a cat treat.

Answer 8

you must be careful since you haven't done this before, if you cut too far back you can cut a vein and they will bleed every where. My advice would be to take them to a groomer the first time so they can show you how to do it for the first time. You can really hurt them if you don't know what you are doing.

Answer 9

Do not clip them real short because you can make them bleed real bad. I'm sure your not right!!!! I have 8 cats in my home and they are declawed it does not damage there nerves.My cats are fine ,play full, run around, they love life........ good luck.......

Answer 10

wrap them in a towel