apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

our cat just turned 11 and we've been trimming his nails every few weeks since he was a largish kitten. It makes life with a cat so much more pleasant (picking him up, laptime, etc.). - When I visit friends who have cats with untrimmed nails -- yeowch!

I don't have a pet - but I think I'd get the PediPaws that I've been seeing on TV recently...

Do a Google search on PediPaws. Bad reviews.

BTW - Dogs rule!

my cats FLIP OUT when i even go near their paws. i've paid for an ex-vet-tech to come trim their claws, however with fatcat, he needs THREE PEOPLE TO HOLD HIM DOWN, and to put a rolled up towel under his chin to stop him from biting, and someone to then clip his claws really quickly. he's a huge cat with serious emotional problems - i am not kidding. he's vicious and strong and hates to be held or picked up or trapped in any way.

so, claw trimming can be a lot more complicated than just "rest" when they start squirming. more like get out the suit of chain mail! ;)

the PediPaws i've heard can cause infections from bacteria/litter/etc getting trapped underneath, and then i'm still faced with the problem of getting the stupid pedipaws ON my insane cats.

i've got a new couch coming in the next two weeks and i'm thinking of getting the sticky stuff plus calling in the ex-vet-tech on a more routine basis. she only charges $15 per cat, too, which is awesome.

When we trim our cat's nails, we get a large towel and scoop her up in it. Sit down, let the head appear, and then bring out one paw at a time from the towel, and clip as necessary. Works for every cat we have.

I make it a point to touch my cat's paws regularly, so she doesn't associate paw touching with nail trimming. She hates the trimming, but pretty much sits still and waits for her treats after wards. I'm lucky to have a small, chill cat though.

whenever I've googled trim cat claws, all I come up with is jokes! I hopefully got a set of claw clippers, but have not been brave enough to do this. I'd really like to save some $$ and do it myself, but so far, I've only taken cats in to vet offices for their trims.

luckily, all of my cats have tolerated trimming. It may help that we started at a young age and they were used to it from day one.
I just wait until they're relaxed on my lap and then sneakily grab the clippers. One I can do in about 30 seconds he's so good. The other usually takes a few rounds as he get sfed up by the 3rd or 4th claw.

The PediPaw device looks so hokey and unrealistic. It's best to have a sharp pair of nail clippers. I find the big toenail clippers to be the best.

I've clipped my cat's claws since she was a kitten. She definitely doesn't enjoy it, but I've gotten pretty quick at it so she's just grumpy for about 30 seconds. She doesn't scratch or bite or try to maim me in any way during the clipping. Then she runs out to her scratching post to file them down more and we're good for another couple weeks! So, SO much more humane than declawing, and it's practically free.

why do you need a separate pair of clippers?

In my experience, not all cats' claws can be trimmed with normal clippers. I've had two cats now with claws so thick that a normal clipper would just crack them without actually removing anything. I just use those large pet nail clippers that look sort of like pliers - they cost maybe $8, and they cut through with no resistance. I just wish it was easier to get around my long haired girl's paw fur. Her nails are always hidden under tons of hair. =/

I use the pet clippers and just put the little darlings in a full-body headlock. 10 quick snips and off they go. I'm usually covered in cat hair afterward, but I know they appreciate it. They hate when their claws get to sharp that they get hooked in the carpet.

Important last step: Give kitty a treat or two and lots of lovin'. Years ago it took two people to hold down my large Maine Coon mix for nail trims, now he's the easiest of the bunch. Ditto my boyfriend's cat. I used to be scared to clip his claws unless the boyfriend was there to help hold and calm him, but after getting used to it (and treats! Treats work wonders!) I can get him too.

This is a life saver for me. I use to have trouble cutting my dogs (2) nails until I got this

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-761-03-Cordless-Grooming-Rotary/dp/B0000C6DZ2/ref=tag_tdp_sv_edpp_pop_t

Now they will stay still while I file their nails. Sometimes I accidentally go pass the quick and they don't flinch or cried out. Highly recommended.

I like the picture of the cat.

Weasel Dearest is Mr. Dangerous

My cat always liked to be sitting next to or sitting on me at home. So before trimming her claws I would clip my own fingernails while she sat in my lap. I would then announce, "Time for the kitty-cat manicure", and she would let me cut her claws. For a cat that thought she was human, this approach worked out very well.

One thing that really helps (aside from the towel-wrapping, when necessary) is to hold the cat in your lap, facing away from you (as was mentioned), but with their hind legs and tail kind of trapped between your legs. This gives them a lot less leverage, and after a few struggles they often give up until you're done clipping.

Continue with each claw and rest in between if you notice your cat is resistant and squirming.

If you notice? My cat starts trying to kill you the instant you touch her paws. I see so many stupid explanations of how to clip a cat's claws, but they never explain how to properly RESTRAIN a cat that doesn't want you to touch their feet. Who has all these compliant cats?

It's important to get a cat used to you touching its feet. Kittens learn quickly, but even an older cat can get used to it, you just have to be patient... its a slow learning process. When your kitty is getting pets, hold onto one of its foot, try to spread the toes apart, and give them a foot massage.

When you do finally get them to let you cut their nails (all three of mine let me, but I taught them young) make sure they get a treat. Positive reinforcement is the best way to go!

My cat's claws flake all the time. I don't want to trim them because I'm afraid they'll shatter entirely and get an infection of some kind or otherwise cause him pain. They flake so badly that it will expose the quick and cause some bleeding from the sides/under curve of the nail.

Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone have any suggestions?

roseslaw--perhaps your clippers are not sharp enough. I also use the larger size human clippers---they work better then small ones.
Always us clippers that are there own and not yours---you could transfer nail fungus back and forth if you do not.
Also don't cut to deep, or high up on big nails---that can cause shattering at times.
If you can find clippers that have a rubber coating on them, they are so much better to handle and do not slip out of your hands so easy.

AT4H's method is also very effective for giving cats medication. I came up with it when I kept getting clawed and kept getting my cat's liquid meds anywhere but in her mouth. It occurred to me that a kitty straight jacket would come in handy, then I thought of swaddling her in a towel.

Do any of your cats go out doors? I have two pretty clam kitties I clip now an again when they start to snag or irritate me by clawing furniture (which is much better after getting the corigated cardboard cat scratchers at TJs). I started them when they were young and experimented with the softclaws - they hated them and would bite at them all the time. They don't seem to mind the clipping. I do have an obsession with touching my cats paws though - I love the way it feels inbetween their toes...they actually strech their toes apart when I do it. It's very cute.

I wish my upstairs neighbor would trim her dog's claws. The sound is driving me insane.

Pet Therapy coming any time soon?

A couple weeks late to this post - but thought I could be helpful to the long hair getting in the way. I read somewhere that slipping old nylon hose over the paws works well. The hair stays back and the claw pokes thru the nylon. Haven't attempted on my coon yet. He is either in the mood to tolerate a clipping or really isn't (and isn't afraid to express it). I use the towel and toenail clipper method which has worked ok. Now that I have new *beautiful* cork flooring, am seriously considering trying the dremel. I don't want to resent kitty for his nail nicks and wayward litter all over the house. Not that I could ever stay mad for long ...