Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on August 08, 2007, 21:36:36 PM

Title: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on August 08, 2007, 21:36:36 PM
Managed to grab one foster kitten, Harley who didn't mind having her nails clipped and was very good about it (although she's got long tufts of furr on her paws which makes it a bit more difficult).

Lirael suffered through it, Smoke was drowsy as I'd just woken her up (tough life being a cat!) so no problems from her.

I managed to grab Penguin because he thought I was getting them food (I was in the kitchen).

And then the second foster kitten, Quinn....

Being black I didn't realise I grabed the wrong end and now my right arms looks like a pin cushion and my duvet cover is in the wash as it was splattered with blood.

I've got battle wounds to show off at work tomorrow - and yes I've cleaned everything, put stuff on it and bandaged...
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Baggy on August 08, 2007, 21:40:34 PM
Ouch!  Hope that heals up quickly.

Dinah is champion wriggler when hers are done - managed to snip a tiny slice of her toe off on Monday  :-[  Luckily she doesn't bear a grudge.
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on August 08, 2007, 21:43:28 PM
Normally I have to catch Penguin first as if he realises what's going on he runs for it and you can't find him for hours.

I'm sure I'll heal up, not the first time I've been bit/scratched by anything on 4 legs.
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Sarah (seldom_use) on August 08, 2007, 21:58:03 PM
Being black I didn't realise I grabed the wrong end and now my right arms looks like a pin cushion and my duvet cover is in the wash as it was splattered with blood.


was it that bad :doh:

hope you'e ok :hug:
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on August 08, 2007, 22:06:20 PM
I have found the easiest way of claw clipping is to kneel on the floor with cat between your knees.  Lean over cat and lift paw up then clip claws.

This way you don't have to flip the cat over (which some hate) and if they start to get wriggly you can lean against them slightly which keeps them under control.

You have to make sure you sit back though otherwise they go backwards and  disappear under you bum  :rofl:
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Hippykitty on August 09, 2007, 06:13:22 AM
Never grab a cat, get the cat to come to you (bribe with treats). When cat on lap, induce a false sense of security with lots of tickles behind the ear and under the chin. Make sure that clippers are at the ready, just beside you.

When cat relaxed and sleepy, gently hold paw and start clipping. If cat becomes tense, more tickling required.

That's how I do it.
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on August 09, 2007, 07:40:28 AM
HK that only works for cats that aren't the nervous kind. Lexy can be bribed with treats but she is never off her guard enough... have tried it with her... I hate clipping her claws...always leaves me with bites and scratches, easiest is two of us, one gently cuddles and makes sures paws are available and I snip snip snip, 10 seconds all nails done.
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on August 09, 2007, 08:38:35 AM
Never grab a cat, get the cat to come to you (bribe with treats). When cat on lap, induce a false sense of security with lots of tickles behind the ear and under the chin. Make sure that clippers are at the ready, just beside you.


Unfortunately Quinn won't come to us under any bribe and as he tends to sleep under our bed there is not catching him sleepy.

I'm going to wait until he's in the window and approach him that way. He's a feral kitten so this could take time.

Oddly I've clipped his nails a month ago without problems!

Mine are normally good about it, I hold them against my chest and clip that way. I play with everyones paws a lot so they get the idea and know treats are coming afterwards ;)

Arm's a bit bruised this morning but fine.
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Hippykitty on August 10, 2007, 12:27:18 PM
If you have cats that are extremely hard to clip, it may be worth asking your vet to do it for you. In particularly nervous cats, the vet could sedate.
Polly was a feral, with the emphasis on WAS. She's a trusting soppy lump now, but only with me. It's so nice when this happens..... :Luv:
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on August 10, 2007, 12:32:02 PM
I doubt I could get him into a carrier at this moment.

Little sucker found the perfect place to hide from me last night. Even with a flashlight I couldn't spot him.

Had to wait until he growled at one of my cats, then fed him treats.

I'll get him in the next couple days, at some point he'll do a velcro impersonation and he'll be mine  :rofl:
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Hippykitty on August 10, 2007, 12:39:25 PM
 :rofl: :rofl: :evillaugh: :scared: :duel: :oh noo: :givein:

He surrenders!!
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Millys Mum on August 10, 2007, 16:31:24 PM
If he's not that well socialised trying to clip his claws is gonna make him more suspicous about being handled  :shify: :shify: :shify:  :shy:
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Bazsmum on August 10, 2007, 21:36:13 PM
Iv only got one cat who i cant clip his nails for him.....its all to scarey for me  :scared: but the others range from easy to tolerant....i always touch/hold/gently press between their pads etc while they sleep so the foot touching etc is not a shock for them  ;)

Defo needs to be a trust thing  ;)
Title: Re: Nail clipping isn't all that easy!
Post by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on August 10, 2007, 22:09:38 PM
If he's not that well socialised trying to clip his claws is gonna make him more suspicous about being handled  :shify: :shify: :shify:  :shy:

He seems to think its a game now.

Runs up to me, stops.

I glance in his direction and then he's off again.

Shouldn't be too long now till he's properly ready to be handled. Bit more bribing with food and putting up with the "here I am, but you can't get me" game ;)