The pictures they don't show you in the "How to clip a cat's claws" guide

Cats will do anything to get their paws away from you:




Come on, let's see some of yours!

I would, but I can't hold onto the cat, take the pictures, hold onto the clippers and protect myself at the same time. I need 4 hands, I guess.

Is there really someone out there that can clip a cat's claws by themselves?

Susank521 said:

Is there really someone out there that can clip a cat's claws by themselves?

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Yes I have been able to clip all of my cats' claws by myself. I find it helps if you start when they are young. With my kittens when I first start I will wrap them in a towel, it helps to keep them from squirming too much. Usually I can do both front paws in one sitting, but if a cat is being to antisy will do one paw and then the other later. I also get all of my cats use to me handling their paws and exposing their claws even if I am not clipping them. My experience so far is that with patience I can get all my cats comfortable with clipping their claws.

I am able to clip their claws but it's not their favorite thing to do.  Sometimes they will have none of it so I will try again later.  Sometimes I can only do part of them and go back later and do the rest.  Sometimes I can get them all done in one sitting.  I have found that cats are like children, it's best to avoid power struggles if at all possible.

Susank521 said:

 
Is there really someone out there that can clip a cat's claws by themselves?

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I can, and do.  When I go to the shelter, I often do as many as 30 cats in the hour I'm there.  And that includes getting them out of the cage and putting them back in.

My guys go limp in my lap when I cut their claws.

Poor Abby. I do Mogli's when he's (half-)asleep. That was the only way I managed to clip Jamie's jagged claw. Mogli is a cinch - usually I can get his front and back paws done in about 90 seconds.

mrblanche said:

I can, and do. When I go to the shelter, I often do as many as 30 cats in the hour I'm there. And that includes getting them out of the cage and putting them back in.

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Wow! At that speed, they don't even know what hit them!

mrblanche said:

 
I can, and do.  When I go to the shelter, I often do as many as 30 cats in the hour I'm there.  And that includes getting them out of the cage and putting them back in.

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I am amazed, impressed, envious, and wish I had your gift. Obviously, shelter cats are not used to having their claws clipped, so it truly is impressive. Claw clipping is a BIG production here. Lots of drama!!! And not just on the cat's part.   

I have been bitten exactly once in 5 years of doing it.  And that cat already had a reputation. 

All that said, I have one who hates it, but I can do it to him by myself, still.  Our two little fosters, especially Delly, didn't like it all.  Delly would nip at me, but he wasn't too serious.

Here's my resistant one.  You can't tell it in this video, because he's learned it doesn't do any good to struggle when I hold him like this.

Thanks for the video. You make it look so easy. I've shown the video to my crew, advised them to study their roles, and informed them that there will be a test! 

Yeah, mine don't like it, but they let me. They know I'll just catch them again and clip their claws anyway if they wiggle away, so they have gotten the idea that it's better to just get it over with.

They were both adults when they first had their claws clipped. I think if I had started with a kitten, they'd be just fine with it, rather than grumpily enduring it.

When the cat is new to claw-clipping, that's when you'll get fights. Sooner or later they get the point--you're not going to hurt them, it might feel weird but it won't take long and then they can go back to playing.

Susank521 said:

 
Is there really someone out there that can clip a cat's claws by themselves?

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its difficult but doable! i usually do it when they're sleeping. or if they're awake i literally get like 1 paw a day (which takes about a week and then i have to clip their nails again).

when my boyfriend helps its sooooo much easier. seriously. he has a calming effect on my kitties. with his help i can clip and file them too a bit. 

It's not a cat, but sometimes I feel like I need to do this to my own cats


I always treat my cats right after they get their claws trimmed, so it's a little easier. they look forward to the treats. I usually do best when Monet is asleep and I can trim his claws

   Maia use to let me clip her nails when she was younger.  The older , the more stubborn, eventually 'No way you are clipping my nails!'. 

     I have never physically restrained her to clip her nails, it was always her allowing me to do so. As an adult, Maia has made it clear she does not like having her nails trimmed.  At the same time she is very respectful when playing and for the most part respects the furniture and carpets

Mine are quite respectful, too; they keep to their posts and scratchers, and one old chair I let them claw. Scratching furniture is not actually the reason I clip their claws--it's because they tussle sometimes, and I don't want them to hurt each other. Their claws also prick me if they knead while they haven't had their claws cut. Plus, ever since Tiny got a claw caught in a loop of carpet and presumably sprained his toe (he limped for a while after that), I've regularly clipped their claws, because I don't want that to happen again.

Callista said:

Mine are quite respectful, too; they keep to their posts and scratchers, and one old chair I let them claw. Scratching furniture is not actually the reason I clip their claws--it's because they tussle sometimes, and I don't want them to hurt each other. Their claws also prick me if they knead while they haven't had their claws cut. Plus, ever since Tiny got a claw caught in a loop of carpet and presumably sprained his toe (he limped for a while after that), I've regularly clipped their claws, because I don't want that to happen again.

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sometimes kitties are good and keep off the furniture! makes me happy to hear. I usually clip Charlie and Jets nails before bath time....there are still scratches and screams of bloody murder, but not as bad as it would be without tripped nails. lol

Thats exactly what my cat look like.


But she was declawed by the previous owner...

Susank521 said:

 
Is there really someone out there that can clip a cat's claws by themselves?

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My rainbow kitty Chynna, loved her manicures!  She would just lay there like she was meatloafing, only her front legs were extended outward.  She would let me clip each nail, massage her toes and paw pads, and purr and lick my hand all the while I was doing it. It was like a day at the spa for her.

Abby didn't always like getting her nails clipped, now she lets me do it without a problem.  She lays next to me and I just hold a paw and clip her nails.

Spencer is pretty good about it too.  The thing is is to catch him.  For some reason he doesn't like to get close and cuddle with me unless I'm in bed!  But occasionally I can catch him and when I do, I gently hold him to me and clip his front nails. I can't say he much likes it, but he lets me do it.

Katie on the other hand I have to sandwich between me and the arm of the couch.  It's gotten a bit easier, at least she doesn't try to scratch me to death, but she does try to get away. I usually get her nails clipped over a period of 2 or 3 days.