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Clipping claws

post #1 of 13
11/13/09 at 9:41am
Thread Starter 
I usually get my cats front and rear claws clipped once a month,might skip this month becuz she hasnt scratched mutch stuff,i can hear them click on the kitchen floor will they be ok in carpet,ir will she snag something and get her paw caught? Or am i just worring for nothing??
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post #2 of 13
11/13/09 at 9:45am
I clip my guys every 2 weeks or so. I should do Luke's more often because his grow the fastest, but of course he is my only furkid who hates getting his nails clipped.

A month of growth could mean getting a claw stuck, but if it's something like carpet or furniture they can usually get out of it pretty easy. If it's something like a curtain they may get stuck and panic a bit more, maybe hurting a claw.

I'd just start clipping more often to alleviate any possible bad situations.
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post #3 of 13
11/13/09 at 1:18pm
We don't clip their rear claws (except Ming Loy's - for some reason hers get really sharp and it hurts when she wobbles on us).

As to the front claws, we do it every two weeks as well. Except Tuxedo - he's hard to clip. His get long, and they do get caught. I try to do one or two claws a couple of times a week so they don't get too long. I hate watching him get stuck in something. He doesn't freak too much, but it's not worth the risk or worry, because I don't want him to hurt himself.
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post #4 of 13
11/13/09 at 5:58pm
Thread Starter 
I have to take mine to the vet,she will not let me touch her paws. Vet said some cats dont like it when there owner touches there claws.
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post #5 of 13
11/14/09 at 12:28am
Most cats can be trained to accept claw clipping, make sure to gently handle their paws and give lots of praise + treats, then slowly move up to clipping just one or two nails at a time until they are comfortable.
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post #6 of 13
11/15/09 at 3:49am
I find that the best time to clip my cats claws are when they are resting. I can do it even if they're not, but if they're in a calm state, it's quite easy.

I usually clip their claws around every 2 weeks but sometimes I just leave them be for a bit longer. Nothing bad happens except for a quick snag on a blanket or something. After that happens, then I whip out my trust nail clippers and snip those buggers. However, I almost never clip the back claws.
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post #7 of 13
11/15/09 at 5:31am
Tolly and Jennie get front and back done. Mazy will not allow the back done.

It took three years of daily Paw Work for me to be allowed to clip Mazy's claws. Then summer before last I was able to do...first one at a time, then two ....and so on, until now she allows me to do both front paws in one sitting (standing actually).

Up until then I was bringing her to the groomer every six weeks and doing Paw Work daily at home. For Tolly and Jennie I sit on the floor, hold each in my lap, and snip away, with some mayonnaise incentive dots.

Mazy prefers to be standing up, I place her on the washing machine, draped over my arm, put a dot of mayonnaise on her mouth and snip while she's slurping. It's hilarious to hear her trying to growl and sound fierce, interspersed with yummy noises.

RRRRtyummymmmRRRRrrtYUMmmmmRRRRRRRrt,,,,

hehehe

(Paw work is simply me holding Mazy in the position described above, pressing each paw to extend claws, in turn, with a dot of mayonnaise on the mouth in between paws)

FWIW there was only ONE person Mazy would allow to trim her claws at the groomer, the assistant. No one else could get close. I held Mazy on the wooden counter (stainless steel makes her freak) draped over my arm, with the other hand I alternated holding Mazy's face to the side (so she wouldn't bite the groomer assistant) and giving mayonnaise dots.
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post #8 of 13
11/15/09 at 3:14pm
I clip nails weekly or at least check and clip as necessary. The back ones don't need it as often as the front. But you will have less problems if you at least clip them every other week rather then once a month.
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post #9 of 13
11/16/09 at 2:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45 View Post
I clip nails weekly or at least check and clip as necessary. The back ones don't need it as often as the front. But you will have less problems if you at least clip them every other week rather then once a month.
I see as more problems as i clip lol,she doesnt like it period. Im goona let it go for awhile and see how it goes,if i see her snag then they will be clipped. She sounds like she has high heels on,from the kitchen floor,lol.
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post #10 of 13
11/16/09 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Racn1320 View Post
I see as more problems as i clip lol,she doesnt like it period. Im goona let it go for awhile and see how it goes,if i see her snag then they will be clipped. She sounds like she has high heels on,from the kitchen floor,lol.
It would help tremendously if you get her used to having her paws handled, now. The more you handle her the better, because there may come a day when she needs pilling or other treatment, and it will go much better if she is already used to allowing you "liberties".

Get her favorite treat, and hold her however you plan to hold her for trimming. On your lap, or in the traditional holding form, which is kneel on the floor, cross your legs behind you and hold her between your knees facing out.

Give her a treat ( something wet that you can put on her mouth and she has to lick off is best) and while she's working on the treat, hold one of her paws between your thumb and other fingers and gently press to extend the claws. Another treat, do the other paw, then release her and give her one more treat.

It's best not to expect her to allow it right away. This method can be very slow, but it works. Mazy went from going berserk if I even reached for her, to now, I trim her claws (front only) and pill her! It took three years of paw work before I could trim her claws myself, and four years before I could slip pills down her throat.

Just go slow, don't force things to the point she upsets herself, even if she only allows the tiniest touch on one paw per session to start, eventually she will allow handling. Eventually as in weeks, to months, to years, but never give up!
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post #11 of 13
11/16/09 at 5:05pm
More like the opposite will happen. The longer you go not doing them, the more battle you will get. That's why I feel a lot of nail clipping problems are due to the nails not being done often.

The more you handle and clip, the more used they will get as a "routine". In the days you don't clip - handle the feet as you are petting them.
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post #12 of 13
11/17/09 at 9:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45 View Post
I clip nails weekly or at least check and clip as necessary. The back ones don't need it as often as the front. But you will have less problems if you at least clip them every other week rather then once a month.
This is what I do as well. Every Saturday when Batman is acting calm, I take a quick look and clip any long nails in the front. Since I do this every week, it is very quick and easy. I started this when he was around 4 months old. We took in a stray kitty - so far I can't touch her, so no idea how I'll get hers trimmed down the road
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post #13 of 13
11/17/09 at 3:04pm
Wrap her up in a towel (might need 2 people to do her at first). Even if you only get one paw a nite, you should be able to get it done and get her used to nail clipping over time.
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