How to clip cats back claws?

miss_angie1

I have had my 5 year old cat Cookie for four months now and have gained her trust so she now allows me to clip her front claws. The same cannot be said about her rear claws which definitely need a trim.

As soon as I touch her back legs she moves them and if I persist just tells me off and runs away. I would leave them but it is uncomfortable when they dig into my legs when she's on my lap.

I took her to the vet on Monday for her vaccinations etc and completely forgot to ask them even though I had written it down as I was so anxious about how stressed she was.

She is fast asleep on my lap as I type and I just sneakily tried to do it. She just gave me a dirty look and has turned around so I can't reach them. She is so cheeky!

Any tips would be much appreciated.

VeggieCatLady

Is there someone else you can ask to help you? I have a semi ferrel cat and my friend holds on to her while I do her claws. Cats seem to really dislike their back legs being played about with.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Pick cat up.

Place in lap, head nearest you, supporting spine.

Take toenail clippers.

Clip the merest tip of each toe. Expect some wriggling.

Let cat down.



(roughly the same amount of force needed as with an uncooperative baby)

miss_angie1

I could get my DH to help me. I think I will have to do the holding and get him to clip as she is a real mummy's girl (In other words I am the most reliable slave to her demands!)

miss_angie1

I havent tried it with her facing me. That could make a big difference. She's looking at me a bit suspiciously now so I think I'll brave it tomorrow now;)

generaloneill

the quickest you can do it the better, dont cut the blood vessel part, cats claws have a thin red line in the middle, cut above that.

Fridaycat

My two bengals are terrible at having their claws clipped, they make such a racket, you would think I was engaging in some mad torture routine. But I have to do it as they are show cats, and it is a requirement to trim before each show.

But funnily enough, they are much better with their back feet than their front ones! But I do the holding towards me thing, and it works very well. We get there. Eventually. :rotfl:

Lovelyjoolz

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

(roughly the same amount of force needed as with an uncooperative baby)

Jojo - you must either have guns of steel or well behaved cats, because cutting our two's claws is like a fight to the death (ours!).

We have to wrap them in a towel and my OH practically has to lie on them to hold them down while I clip the teeniest bit off their claws!!

And when the vet does it? Perfect behaviour. Not a peep from either of them! :rotfl: