Do you, or someone else trim your cats nails/claws personally? Do you use a professional?
My previous cat struggled a bit, but ultimately was pretty chill and let me cut her nails... a.k.a. needles
My new kitty is, literally, poking holes in me regularly, just by kneading and being loving (and so cute I can't even be slightly annoyed), but when I tried to trim her nails, I ended up with a back claw hole on my cheek.
I trim both my cats claws and give them a treat after. Sometimes they’ll sit through, sometimes not. Maybe by giving treats, over time she’ll find the activity rewarding? I don’t cut too much cause I’m afraid of cutting too short.
My partner and I tag team trimming Todd’s nails, usually someone will hold him while the other trims. We bought some special nail trimmers which make the process easier, but it still makes me nervous as I accidentally cut too close to the quick before and drew a bit of blood. Our vets do offer free nail trims with our pet plan so it might be worth looking into for yourself!
Usually I would hold our old cat in place while someone else in my family did the actual trimming, but I wouldn't mind learning how to do the actual trimming myself. As someone who is able to cut my own nails pretty short without hurting myself, I can't imagine it'd be too difficult. If anything I'd probably be overly cautious since I don't want to hurt an animal.
Sebastian had his back claws trimmed by the vet in November because he was badly scratching up his chest trying to itch a more minor wound, and both boys had their claws trimmed while they were under anaesthesia last week.
I'm the kitty claw trimmer around here! I've even trimmed one of my aunt's cats nails for her (granted: he is extremely baby and absolutely adores me and basically everybody—I would not attempt this with her more standoffish cats lol). Both of our kitties are also serious biscuit-makers, so semi-regular trimming is necessary so we don't get hurt lol.
Boo is super sweet and docile, so her nails are easy to trim, but she's not a fan of having it done so I usually try to sneakily trim her nails while she's asleep anyway.
Rat, on the other hand... we rescued him as a teeny tiny feral kitten, so I made sure he'd be used to having his paws handled, and did a little exercise I was taught where you hold one paw at a time and gently push out each claw, so they'll be okay with having their nails trimmed when they're older. This did not work on Rat. He doesn't get mad at me (this cat almost never gets mad I swear) but he does take it as an invitation to roughhouse, so I don't usually escape from his nail trims unscathed.
My best tip for at-home nail trimming is to take it one paw at a time (to get cats used to it, I've even seen some vets recommend trimming one claw, rewarding with treats, waiting until the next day to trim the second claw, rewarding with treats, and so on). It's a rare day that I get all four sets of their claws trimmed in one sitting; usually I can get away with either the front set or the back set before they start losing patience with me. I also wait until they're in a very calm/sleepy mood!
My preferred tool are nail scissors specifically for cats/very small animals—I find them easiest to handle/use with the best results.
We’re lucky enough to have the perfect combination. Our cats are very relaxed and trustworthy, and my wife is a vet tech who does this on a daily basis with much more aggressive cats. She can hold and cut nails all by herself! Our cats are always excited to sprint to their food bowls right afterwards though. Treats are coming!
almost never, actually. they mostly stay at a nice length through regular wear, and we have plenty of scratching posts around the house. our cats would also never let us do it lmao, but three of them have had their claws done professionally -- once each. i asked the vet to trim fish's claws during one visit because she doesn't go outside during winter, or fall really, so they were getting a little long. i did the same with lisa once when she was there for something else, and it took two assistants to do it -- one to hold her, and one to trim. she really did NOT like being there, bless her. my sister just took lisa's sister, mochi, to the vet specifically for a claw trim. she's always had really long claws despite being outside all the time -- we call them her gremlin claws lol -- but one in particular was getting too long and growing towards her paw pad. i think my sister and mom tried trimming them once or twice, because she's quite a docile cat, but they were too worried about cutting too far, and she really didn't like the clipping noise, so they took her to the vet. it was only £17, so. better that than accidentally doing it wrong.
Yes, but she has to be asleep. It’s the only way she can accept it lol. It’s weird because imagine being a human and waking up to someone trimming your nails….
yes, I absolutely do trim my cats' nails, because they love to knead me and they're always poking me with their little razor mittens I only do their front nails though, since their back nails almost never cause an issue.
two of my cats, Feef and Red, are super chill about it. they will just lie there and let me trim their nails, they don't mind at all. I do find it easier to do when they're lying down and/or asleep. Ash, however, acts like I'm killing him when I try to cut his nails. and he's the worst offender when it comes to poking and scratching me, so it double sucks haha. I have to wrap him tightly in a purrito and listen to his pathetic screams while I trim his nails, but of course I try to approach the situation with gentleness so he doesn't get too scared.
I don't have cats anymore but, in the past, I did. I luckily had an okay time with majority of them.
I definitely suggest Styptic powder at home on hand just for in case if they move and you accidentally cut a bit short.
I only do their front nails though, since their back nails almost never cause an issue.
