I have a 3 yr old cat who will not let us clip his claws.?

Question

We rescued him from the shelter and we want to clip his claws ourselves, but he will not let us. We have tried the positive reward system but he will not have any of it. We don't want to have him declawed and we don't want to have to pay $25 to have the vet do it and tell us we should just have him declawed. Anything we can do?

Answer 1

if he will walk with you on a lease talk him out on cement and it will smooth the nails

Answer 2

Declawing is never the answer, especially with adult cats. I've seen many cats absolutely ruined by having their toes cut off (that is, essentially, what declawing is). The US is the only country where it's considered acceptable - everywhere else, it's either illegal or taboo. Some cats get over it, and some are damaged for the rest of their lives. It's not worth the risk or the initial pain it puts them through after the operation. Also, wheelchairs and bedpans aren't options for cats. They have to walk and function right away after having their feet mutilated. Think about that. Keep the baby away from the cat. Don't leave them unattended. You could try making a special area for the cat with toys, scratching posts, beds, catnip, etc., that might make him want to hang out in that area, making him less likely to bother the infant. Put a monitor in the baby's room and close the door. Keep the cat's claws trimmed. It's not that difficult.

Answer 3

The best way to do it is with someone helping you. Get someone to wrap him up in a towel or pillowcase so that his three other legs are held tight and his head is away from your hands. Use one hand to gently pull his other leg out and use your thumb and forefinger to protrude each nail. If the nails do need trimming, just nip the ends off with some pet nail clippers. In most cats, you can see the quick (the pink part) quite clearly- you want to leave at least 2mm between that and where you are cutting.

However, it's usually not necessary to regularly trim the nails of young cats. You'd be better (if he is a 100% indoor cat) getting him a tall scratching post- cats are more likely to use a post if it is taller than they are at full stretch. If he goes outdoors, you'll probably find that he'll keep them down himself.

I'm so glad that you don't want to get him declawed. It's a ridiculous procedure, and is in fact illegal here (Australia).

Answer 4

Give him a scratching post and that can help wear the nails down.

If he won't let you clip his nails, will he let you file them? That may be something - just round the nails.

You may also be catching him at a bad time. If you wait until he's totally mellow, maybe that would work.

Declawing isn't just removing the claw - it's removing part of their paw. Read about it and you'll be less likely to consider it. It's pretty bad.

I'm not sure why you're feeling you need to clip his nails, though. If he's ruining furniture, get him a scratching post and redirect him whenever he starts on the couch. If it's just for basic grooming, he'll probably do that himself - bite his nails off.

Answer 5

you are right for not wanting tohave him declawed. Its a horrible thing for cats to go through and its even harder on an adult cat then a kitten. I applaude your decision. You dont need to go to the vet and pay $25 for a clip . Usually a pet groomer will do it for $5 or $10. If you really wanna do it yourself, it's a two person job. One person holds ...."scruff" him (hold him by the neck skin) and hold his back legs with the other hand holding him on his side and streching his back against your forarm. you wont hurt him, scruffing is what his mom would have done, and therefore it accually calms him down. the other person snips the nails being careful not to cut the quick (the pink vein) if you do nick the quick stick the nail in styptic powder...if you dont have any rub a bar of soap on it to stop the bleeding. another trick is if hes still routy, cover his eyes with a wash cloth. they tend to settle down when their eyes are covered.
good luck!

Answer 6

I know about that. I guess you could play with it's pads when it's sitting on your lap so it gets used to you touching its feet. I doubt that will work though. It takes two people and the holder better wear some fireplace gloves or at least a couple old long sleeved shirts. Wrap/swaddle the poor thing in a large heavy beach towel and subdue it while the other person cuts the nails. Reward and praise after it's all over.

Answer 7

Not uncommon with cats! Pay to have a vet or groomer do it, or buy those little caps you can put on his claws to keep him from destroying things.

Please don't have him declawed. I used to think that operation was normal and fine, but it's not. Imagine someone cutting off all your fingers to the first knuckle...that's basically what declawing is.

Answer 8

I never heard of anyone charging 25 dollars for nail clipping. It usually is only 10-12 dollars at the vet or groomers.

Petsmart has groomers that will do it too but you must bring a copy of your rabies certificate for the cat.

Answer 9

Call around to other vets, the technicians usually clip toenails and they do it for far less than $25. Mine has the techs do it for free or for $4.

You can also try doing ONE toe a night when he's asleep.

Or get two people to hold him in a wrapped towel and do one paw at a time.

Answer 10

I was never able to trim my previous cats nails, but I'm single so I only had 2 hands. You are saying "we". Do you have a partner? If yes, one of you should be able to restrain the cat while the other clips. Your vet can demonstrate how to do that. If they can do it, you can do it.

Personally, I think it is worth the money to have someone else do it. My vet only charged $10.

Answer 11

Get your cat a scratching post. That is what loosens the old nails and breaks them off.. Some people use carpet scratching posts, but that might lead the cat to scratching on your floor carpet. They also have wooden and cardboard box scratching posts. You can make one by useing a piece of wood like an upright 2 by 4 board, nailed to some plywood. My cat likes a small log about 4" wide, i found, and took the bark off, and nailed it so a larger piece of plywood. it lays on the floor.