Trimming Claws by Yourself

Just bought these clippers on Amazon, they're the best I've used! Very smooth when trimming kitty claws:

Usually I trim Quorra's claws right after or during her nap. Just wondering what method other people use when trimming claws by yourself (without help from another person)!

Our vet assistant showed us a method using human clippers & required 2 people. I've also seen a youtube vid w/ a cat leaning on 1 person while claws are clipped. Also have heard a crazy story about wrapping a cat's body up in a towel in order for 1 person to trim!

Thoughts?

My vet told me not to bother! Which was a great relief because I'd never been able to!

I use a pair of cat clippers I got at the dollar store, which work exactly as well as the $10 pair I had from Petco (which I inevitably lost). Goblin is extremely laid back about being clipped, even though I didn't start the practice until well into his adulthood. Sometimes I do it real quick while he's sleeping. Sometimes he'll let me just cradle him in my lap on his back and let me do it that way. If he gets impatient, I let him go for a few minutes and come back later.

When I lived with my best friend, it took three people and a cat muzzle to clip her tiny tortie, Scarlett. And one of us was still usually bleeding by the end of it. I'm super glad that Goblin is easy!

Laying on my legs ready to be clipped! [emoji]128571[/emoji]

Cat wrapping is a time-honored procedure, but shouldn't be necessary. You may want a towel on your lap, however, to catch the clippings.

I just use regular nail clippers, and always do it by myself. I am very careful not to cut into the quick. Also, for a medium to long haired cat, I've found it useful to trim the hair between the toes the day before the planned claw clipping. This makes it easier to see the claw you're clipping, which means that you can clip it safely and painlessly, faster. Doing it as quickly as you safely can is a great stress reducer for the cat.

Also, cats respond well to bribery, i.e. treats. (I know — you never would have guessed, would you? :lol3

Margret

I had some cat nail trimmers for a while (with the scissor-style handles) but I've found human ones to be easier to use and make a cleaner cut. I'm so lucky with Delilah that when she doesn't like something, all you have to do is scoop her up and put her in your lap and she offers no resistance. She meows like she's the saddest animal in the world, but she doesn't fight back very much. We've gotten pretty used to nail trimming though. She's not a huge fan but she's not scared of it anymore, and lots of delicious treats are involved. I can do a few of her front claws at a time without having to contain her on my lap if she's gulping down a treat while I'm trimming, but the back paws still require some restraint.

I'm too scared to trim my cats claws in case I cut the quick.

He had it done at the vets once. He doesn't seem to have any issues with his claws so I haven't done anything with them.

Is it okay not to trim them?

I give them the option of sitting still but never start unless I have a towel on my lap to burrito them. I pick a time where they are relaxed and just do it. Takes me less than a minute they can spare the time.

MrPurrrfectCat said:

I'm too scared to trim my cats claws in case I cut the quick.

He had it done at the vets once. He doesn't seem to have any issues with his claws so I haven't done anything with them.

Is it okay not to trim them?

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I only trim Goblin because his claws get super long and it's uncomfortable for him. He gets snagged on the carpet and on the bed, and sometimes gets stuck. Plus, "making biscuits" on me is one of his favorite things, and it's much more enjoyable for me if I'm not bleeding afterward. [emoji]128514[/emoji]

I'm also nervous about cutting too far, so I just take the very tips off. If it wasn't for his discomfort without trimming, I wouldn't bother.

I trim my cats' claws myself. Boths cats sit on the bathroom counter facing away from me and I just hug them from behind to clip their claws.

Have styptic powder or liquid on hand to use in case you accidentally cut the quick.


In a pinch, a little cornstarch or flour will help to stop the bleeding.

When I do it myself I wait until they are relaxed then I do a few claws at a time and give treats in between. Usually I do it with the help of my fiance. 

I just use people nail clippers. My one cat Etta is the one I have to watch. Her claws grow really fast and they are huge. They curl in and so I don't want them to grow into her paw pads...which seems like an actual danger with her. Everyone else seems to do a good job keeping their own claws groomed---on doors, furniture and sometimes even the cat scratcher.

I have attempted to trim Hekitty's claws myself many times.  Thus far, she is winning, but I am pleased that I have not had to go to the ER.  Well...that once when I gave her a bath, but not for claw trimming.  I need to do this.  They're getting perilous, and there is nothing in the budget for a non-emergency vet trip till July.  I'll probably resort to the time-honored cat burrito.

Mamanyt1953 , it's always difficult at first. If your cat won't let you handle her paws under other circumstances, that's the first thing to concentrate on. You want to start petting her paws, telling her how soft and beautiful they are, how much prettier than furless hands, and give her treats while you do it.

Once she's okay with that, the next step is trimming fur between toes. Not much, you don't actually need to get the scissors between her toes, just the stuff that's sticking out, with nice sharp little scissors, so they cut rather than grabbing and pulling the fur.

When she's okay with that, you try for a single claw, being very careful not to hurt her. Then you tell her what a brave kitty she is, and give her more treats. Eventually you can work up to several claws at a time.

And do none of this at a time when she's just been playing. Drowsy is much better than hyper.

Some cats will never allow claw trimming without either towel wrapping or sedation. Basically, these are cats who've had a very traumatic claw trimming in the past. Some breeders, for instance, are known to deliberately cut into the quick. But none of my cats have ever been untrainable. They don't actually like having their claws clipped, but they do tolerate it without getting violent toward me.

And, BTW, except for extraordinary circumstances, it isn't worth it to even try for the claws on her hind feet.

Margret

Mamanyt1953 said:

 
I have attempted to trim Hekitty's claws myself many times.  Thus far, she is winning, but I am pleased that I have not had to go to the ER.  Well...that once when I gave her a bath, but not for claw trimming.  I need to do this.  They're getting perilous, and there is nothing in the budget for a non-emergency vet trip till July.  I'll probably resort to the time-honored cat burrito.

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I have never felt shame in resorting to that for something that NEEDS to be done. I believe in giving them first option for compliance before resorting to what a cat sees a force. Force being anything the cat doesn't want or feel like doing. I have felt shame for not having the towel handy because nothing is accomplished once they learn to escape and ensuing pursuit that is not healthy for anyone.

Using one end of a large beach towel I can wrap it around the leg allowing me to get a good purchase without having to apply much direct force. I also use the fully enclosed burrito when needed fishing a foot out.

It may be possible that on some level cats know we are disarming them. I have had more luck starting with a burrito cat and lessening restraint over time that spending hours trying to get one claw at a time.

Margaret and KittensMom, I spent hours and hours with her, stroking her feet, handling them, running my fingertips over her actual claws, gently pressing to extend them, and she ate it up like a three year old with an ice cream cone.  I waited till she was relaxed and happy, then...SNIP...ERUPTION...SQUALLING...HISSING...FLIGHT...And I had missed the claw entirely,  Never touched her.  Just the sound set her off.  As I said, she doesn't suffer being trifled with gladly.  Or at all.    The one thing I did NOT do, and why that didn't occur to me, I'll never know...is to give treats with all of this.  And considering her addiction to Kitty Crack, this may be the key to it all.  If that doesn't work, cat burrito.

Siruh said:

Just bought these clippers on Amazon, they're the best I've used! Very smooth when trimming kitty claws:

Usually I trim Quorra's claws right after or during her nap. Just wondering what method other people use when trimming claws by yourself (without help from another person)!

Our vet assistant showed us a method using human clippers & required 2 people. I've also seen a youtube vid w/ a cat leaning on 1 person while claws are clipped. Also have heard a crazy story about wrapping a cat's body up in a towel in order for 1 person to trim!

Thoughts?

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The "burrito wrap" sounds crazy but there's something to it. My cat immediately calms down, kind of like a thunder jacket.

Mamanyt1953 said:

 
Margaret and KittensMom, I spent hours and hours with her, stroking her feet, handling them, running my fingertips over her actual claws, gently pressing to extend them, and she ate it up like a three year old with an ice cream cone.  I waited till she was relaxed and happy, then...SNIP...ERUPTION...SQUALLING...HISSING...FLIGHT...And I had missed the claw entirely,  Never touched her.  Just the sound set her off.  As I said, she doesn't suffer being trifled with gladly.  Or at all.    The one thing I did NOT do, and why that didn't occur to me, I'll never know...is to give treats with all of this.  And considering her addiction to Kitty Crack, this may be the key to it all.  If that doesn't work, cat burrito.

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Oo, if the sound is what's triggering it and not necessarily the sensation, you can just do a bunch of sessions where you just squeeze the clippers (without clipping her nails) and hand her a treat. Clip, treat, clip, treat, etc, so soon she reacts to it like the sound of a can opener. Sound is really good for creating associations!

This, I will try.  I am cautiously hopeful.  Knowing this cat the way that I do, however, I am fairly certain that she's just being contrary, and is determined not to cooperate with me just because she can.

Mamanyt1953 said:

 
Margaret and KittensMom, I spent hours and hours with her, stroking her feet, handling them, running my fingertips over her actual claws, gently pressing to extend them, and she ate it up like a three year old with an ice cream cone.  I waited till she was relaxed and happy, then...SNIP...ERUPTION...SQUALLING...HISSING...FLIGHT...And I had missed the claw entirely,  Never touched her.  Just the sound set her off.  As I said, she doesn't suffer being trifled with gladly.  Or at all.    The one thing I did NOT do, and why that didn't occur to me, I'll never know...is to give treats with all of this.  And considering her addiction to Kitty Crack, this may be the key to it all.  If that doesn't work, cat burrito.

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Oh, dear.  She may well be one of those cats who've been abused with clippers, to have that strong a reaction.

Were you using human clippers or cat clippers?  If human, try clipping your own nails sometime when she's on your lap.  No guarantees, but seeing that you do it to yourself may help.  Or not.  No one ever accused even smart cats of being logical.

I agree.  If Kitty Crack doesn't do it, it's burrito time.  This is called self defense!  Better a burrito than trying to break her of kneading.

Margret

misterwhiskers said:

The "burrito wrap" sounds crazy but there's something to it. My cat immediately calms down, kind of like a thunder jacket.

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This is also one of the reasons for the former popularity of swaddling clothes for infant humans.  It seems to be calming.  I suspect it may be more of a full body hug thing going on.

Margret