Claw trimming turns docile kitty into furry chainsaw.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

My 10-month old kitten, Pixie, is the cutest, sweetest, loviest kitty in the world. She loves to cuddle, she purrs at the slightest attention, and she's just generally a little furry ball of adorableness --

Except when I try to trim her claws, which instantly turns her into a hissing, clawing fiend. She will have none of it. I tried to do it this morning, and the result was like sticking my hand in a Cuisinart.

I was thinking of getting one of these: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+1992+3159&pcatid=3159

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. My other two cats, the big boys, tolerate the procedure well, with only minor squirming and muttering. But Pixie -- yikes.

[erinlough]

1. Isn't it funny how some animals just hate having their paws messed with?

My dog will let any groomer cut her nails, but if I try she will go nuts. As far as the bag goes I think it would be a great thing for any cat owner to have. I usually wrap mine in a towel to tend to things they don't like, but this product makes sense to me.

[meow2u3]

2. Your cat's not the only one who hates having her claws clipped

Ruby squirms, hisses, cries, tries to escape, etc. That's the only time she tries to scratch me. Max has a little more tolerance for claw clipping, since I started on him when he was 6 weeks old.

on edit: corrected spelling in subject line.

[realisticphish]

3. when i first got my cat

(he was about 1 at the time) i made sure to handle his feet a lot. Now, he lets me clip his claws no problem, though he tries to chew on the clippers.

[riona]

4. I purchased a cat bag on Ebay

There is no way her nails could be clipped without one. Also, a mask seems to calm her a bit - maybe she doesn't like to see what's going on. That's fine by me because she will bite.

[blondie58]

5. wow!- a kitty straight jacket! how clever

really- it looks like a great invention. I do wonder how easy it is to put the cat in the bag, so to speak. I have always wrapped mine in a towel- you have a little more control. Good luck!

[AZBlue]

6. Have you tried one of the natural cat stress sprays?

Feliway makes one and I know there are other brands as well. There are also formulas that you can add to water for them to drink. It might make her chill out a little.

My Maggie wasn't nearly as bothered Pixie is, but I still had to "train" her when I first started trimming them. I started by setting a goal of trimming her nails all within a week. I'd do one, two, maybe three if I was lucky at one time and when she started getting too squirmy I'd let her go and try it again later that day or maybe the next day. Now I can do all at one time - even though she doesn't really like it, she tolerates it.

I also figured a good position to use - I put her on the counter and lean over her, using one arm wrapped around her from behind to hold her paws as the other hand holds the trimmer. That helps keep her in place.

Lastly, I finally realized I didn't need to trim all her nails. I only trim four on each front now -the front dew claws and the back claws aren't used for clawing or kneading, so they don't really need to be trimmed. That realization alone has helped the process considerably!

Good luck!! :D

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. I haven't been able to trim even ONE claw.

And I've tried many times. She turns into an octopus with razor blades as soon as I try to hold on to a paw. She also tries to bite.

I think I'll go with the cat bag.

[AZBlue]

8. Oh, wow!

Yeah, the bag sounds like a good idea! Might want to use a stress-reliever too, but that probably wouldn't be nearly enough.

[ginnyinWI]

9. you could try wrapping her in a big towel.

Have it go up to her nose so she doesn't see her feet. Have someone else clip the claws while you hold, or if you have to, wrap the towel around and sit her on your lap facing away from you and try it yourself. Might have to just expose one leg at a time to get a secure wrap. Good Luck!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. Tried that already. She can get out of it.

And since I live alone, I don't have anyone to help "wrangle." Trust me, I've tried everything but duct tape.

[Beaverhausen]

10. If I tried to put my Annie into that thing she would have a heart attack

how do you get kitty in there?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. According to the info on the product, like this:

"Pet Loading Tips

1. Lay the bag out flat, open the self-fastening hook and loop collar, and open the two top main zippers. Leave front zippers closed for starters.
2. Pick up your pet (cats by the scruff of the neck) and set him or her down in a sitting position on top of the flat, laid-out nylon.
3. Attach the adjustable self-fastening hook and loop collar around the pet's neck first. Most pets accept this as another kind of collar. Slide front paws into forward part of bag. (Start with front zippers closed which works best, but open front zippers and let paws pop through, if it appears appropriate for your pet).
4. Quickly zip up rear top zipper capturing the pet's complete body inside the bag. Presto! The pet's in the bag in a jiff!"

I have ordered one. I will report back on the outcome... :scared:

[virgdem]

13. I can relate to your problem...

I have a cat that absolutely goes ballistic when you try to trim her claws. We even tried the claw control bag, that has been useful with our other cats, but to no avail. Try get Bach's Rescue Remedy (put into her water) and see if that calms her down. If it does, put her into the bag and cut the claws (there is a zippered portion where the leg will fit and you can open and close as needed). If all else fails, to the groomer with her. Good luck.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

14. Our little guy

who refuses to be picked up, but who will sit on you or next to you all day long is the Vet's favorite kitty to trim.

Apparently, he all but sticks out his paw, and splays his feet and they are done in about 30 seconds! Every once in a while they don't charge us, because they feel guilty.

But this is one very smart little cat. We just think he's figured it out and wants to get it over with. Do you think he would ever let US trim his claws? No way!

I'm wondering about that grinding wheel thingy they are showing in infomercials - anyone have one of those?

[badgerpup]

15. Bach's Rescue Remedy is very good stuff!

They don't even have to drink it.
When I took baby MacFeegle to the vet for the first time he was, in her words "just wild". He was frightened...one of the few times in his life.

She took out her Rescue Remedy, rubbed some in his ears and on top of his head...and within 30 seconds he was sitting quietly but alertly on the table, taking an intelligent interest in things.

He had no problem with her handling him after that...she had to take him over to the sink and turn on the water to get him to stop purring long enough to hear his heartbeat.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. I might get some of that stuff for myself

for those stressful days at work. Although my boss might not be able to make me stop purring.

[Systematic Chaos]

17. Would you like to rent my wife for an afternoon? She's the kitty claw queen!

After she moved in with me and got to know my cat (whose claws had never been clipped), she spent about 20-30 minutes clipping her claws through barrages of feline swearing, biting, scratching, you name it. My Marmalade never escaped her lap the whole time, but watching some of her contortions was pretty funny. When it was all said and done, Marmie was nicely clipped front and back and had not been hurt in any way during the whole process (other than her pride). My wife had a few minor scratches and bite marks, but nothing that bled.

That was 5 years ago. Today, she can clip all four of our cats in under 15 minutes and they don't even bother to struggle. :)