Can you recommend a safe and comfortable way to trim a cat's claws please?
Posted by captainpikeshairdo@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 42 comments
Just what the title says really, hate using clippers but unsure of nail grinders and would appreciate recommendations please - I don't think she would just sit there like the adverts say and hoping for the least traumatic way to stop her getting her claws caught on furnishings and my husbands leg....
SofaChillReview@reddit
Feliway is really good for a lot of cats, can have as a diffuser or spray on their favourite blanket
Some cats though can be very difficult, I’ve been doing it professionally for over a decade and if they don’t want them doing you will struggle and stress them out
I assume as well their just an indoor cat?
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
Indoor and outdoor
SofaChillReview@reddit
Shouldn’t be clipping then, if they need climbing outdoors the nails are important
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
Oh she can climb just fine after her nails have been done, no worries about that...
SofaChillReview@reddit
Worked in veterinary for 15 years and just my professional opinion
“Outdoor, active cats shouldn’t need their claws clipping. In the wild, your cat would wear them down running, hunting, climbing, playing and scratching. Your pet should be no different! But indoor or older cats can be more at risk of getting longer claws”
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
She's very much an outdoor cat - a rescue so not 100% sure how old she is but around 10 years old. And shouldn't is not an absolute. If you read the question I am trying to find the least traumatic path to making sure my cat is comfortable and safe in her chosen environments
Extreme-Kangaroo-842@reddit
Trimming claws is a thing now??
I've had cats all my life, and I'm in my 50s, and have never had to trim their claws. I wouldn't even consider subjecting them to it. Even if I managed to pin one down the scars wouldn't be worth it vs some furniture.
Flatten a cardboard box down. They'll rake that thing like no tomorrow. Anything you spend money on they'll probably ignore. A cardboard box? Like a pig in shit.
sihasihasi@reddit
Same. We took our cat to the vets during COVID (so had to wait outside), and as well as the antibiotics, she trimmed his nails. I asked her why, and she didn't really have a reason, just thought it was helpful.
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
She has a corrugated cardboard mat thing she loves as well as a scratching post (and a wool rug lol), still getting her claws caught in clothing and bedding though and seems uncomfortable with long nails (I'm the same 😁) and don't want her to injure herself, I'd rather get a few scratches myself in the process of making her life more comfortable x
SlickPillock@reddit
My cats always had (relatively) blunt claws from being outside so I'm guessing yours is a house cat? If it is and you're in an area with not too many cars then I'd consider letting it outside. It's better for their health overall and most cats will surprise you in their ability to keep themselves safe
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
She goes outside plenty - loves a good dust bath/wriggle!
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Feral cat bag? But have found best way of cutting nails is someone is there with food to keep her occupied while someone clips feet and if you only do a claw or two a day that means they calls get done over a fortnight.
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
That sounds sensible, I just hate clipping them as I'm always worried about cutting the quick, and the adverts 🙄 keep saying how it's painful no matter how you cut them 😔
eraserway@reddit
What kind of clippers do you have? We have a pair with a safety guard which makes sure you never cut too far down.
It's definitely not painful if you're trimming them safely. I manage to get my cat by doing a couple of claws at a time. Sometimes I can get them while she's asleep and she doesn't even notice at first.
The other method is to bundle them up in a towel or blanket, with just one foot exposed. Much easier with two people - one to hold cat and expose claws, one to clip.
It does suck and they're not going to be happy whatever method you use, but it's good for them!
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
I have ferrets - had cat experience in past - and yes, I;ve cut the nails at the quick. But with ferrets, it is a sharp squeel, a lot of blood, the fun of holding a paw under a cold tap and then applying a stypic pen. And then they get on with life but with a bit more jaundiced looks next time. Thankfully they love salmon oil more.
Getting a claw caught is much worse as they can rip it out and then you need to trim more as a damaged nail bed means they grow in thicker and sometimes twisted. And you normally have to give antibiotics a few days.
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
Good point - so far so good but will bear that in mind
summerloco@reddit
If you can get a hand from your husband here’s how we do it.
My wife hoiks our cat over her shoulder whilst sat down. I sit down next to her and our cat and I’ll simply hold her paw and go for it.
This only works if your cat kind of goes into a freeze state or accepts it which ours does.
Otherwise grab a towel and wrap them up like a burrito
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
It's usually the burrito for us lol
summerloco@reddit
The good old burrito method lol 🌯
Fun_Opportunity_7236@reddit
£30 at vet
Forsaken-Original-28@reddit
Have you tried cutting them? Mine just sit their and let me or my partner
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
The above replies might give you a clue 😉
Sploshee@reddit
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
How...just - HOW!
luala@reddit
I’ve wrapped mine in a towels before to do it. One person holds the cat, the other does the clippers.
Past-Bicycle5959@reddit
I recently discovered electric baby files exist. The one I bought is cat shaped. Try one of them maybe?
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
Just googled and glass files exist - safer and cleaner maybe?
Past-Bicycle5959@reddit
Idk, maybe. I figured if it's safe for a baby it's safe for a cat. Try whichever is preferable to you and if you don't get on with that choice then you know another exists 🙂
GlassHouses_1991@reddit
My current cats don’t tolerate this but my first ever cat was very mellow and I would trim his claws regularly. I’d put him on my lap, gently squeeze his foot pads to make the claws pop out, then clip off the very end. You only want to make the claws blunt by cutting off the sharp tip — if you’re just snipping the very end of the claw you won’t cut into the quick.
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
Another good point x
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
Aka little and often....
boktobw18@reddit
I just did this one handed on one and a half of our cats. Didn't manager the tootsies of one of them but the hard bits done. Thankfully, although they don't like it, they are very submissive and trust that I am not trying to kill them!
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
We usually (always) get sworn at but forgiven after a few prawns lol
Sad-Wrap6555@reddit
vets for 3 to 6 monthly checkup and bloods, claws done at same time He's just waaaay to wriggly to try at home - takes two folks at the vet if he decides to do his best dance moves
Incident-Putrid@reddit
Either chain mail for you or a couple of tramadol in the food bowl
Phat-Lines@reddit
Or she could take the tramadol to give her damage resistance for when she has to wrangle and clip the cat.
Resident-Two4054@reddit
I take mine to a local groomers, costs me £10.
Im the kind of person who likes to be independent, but the risk of potential damage to claws and paws is not something I would wish in my cat so I stump up the small amount of cash
OnlymyOP@reddit
I take my cats to the Vets for a nurse visit and they do them for free.
WGD23@reddit
Vet
Lunaspoona@reddit
I've never clipped mine so can't help with that specificly. What i do with mine is smother their scratching post in cat nip, they use it a lot more and keep them trimmed down naturally without destorying the furniture. Not sure if it will help but if are struggling might be worth a shot?
captainpikeshairdo@reddit (OP)
Have catnip so will give that a try!
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