OK, so how do you actually trim a cats nails?

This cat (six months old) needs his nails trimmed but won't allow me to hang on to his feet long enough to get it done. What do I do. I got to get him used to this. Will this get easier after he's neutered? I wish I had 3 hands when I bathe him or trim his nails. It's a pain in the neck. How does this wrap him in a towel thing work?

I do Riley's when he is sleeping. I can usually get one paw done before he starts throwing a fit, so I just do one paw at a time.

Originally Posted by Rez

This cat (six months old) needs his nails trimmed but won't allow me to hang on to his feet long enough to get it done. What do I do. I got to get him used to this. Will this get easier after he's neutered? I wish I had 3 hands when I bathe him or trim his nails. It's a pain in the neck. How does this wrap him in a towel thing work?

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You do it when he's sleepy, so save a weekend for it. Play with him, make sure he doesn't nap or sneak away, and just make sure he stays active. Around noon, he'll probably look like he's about to pass out if he doesn't sleep. You then take a towel, put it over him and pick him up, wrapping the other end around him. Stick his butt under one of your arms so he feels like he's backed into a cave.

Pet him a bit and then start on the claws. Do the 4 main claws first, then the "trouble" claw, since it can be hard to get (and if you need to revisit it later, it's only 1 claw).

If you've never trimmed claws before, less is more. Get used to where the quick is over multiple trimmings, not all in one go. Snip the end, and if you think "hmm I could've taken more off," worry about it next weekend.

Make it a ritual -- every weekend, trim at least a little bit. He'll get used to it since he's only 6 months, which makes it much easier when he's older and more set in his ways.

get out carrier ... place said baby in carrier ... repeat step two multiple times until said baby is in and zipped up ... drive to groomers.. take said baby out ... groomer clips ... hand 5$ to groomer pack up baby and go home