Trimming nails?

newkittyowner

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Just a random thought I had just now. We got our kittens when they were about three months old back in July. We have never trimmed their nails or had them done. Should we have by now? They will be one beginning on April. We would get them done if we did as we are not confident enough to do it ourselves.
 
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red top rescue

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Nail trimming is really easy if you have nice small sharp nail scissors.  We use the ones you can find in the bird department.  Some of the ones in the cat department scare me, they are guillotine things, I would never attempt those.  In any case, when learning you just take off the clear tips.  Ask a friend or someone at a rescue shelter or your local vet tech to show you how.  Not only is it better for you, but it is better for the cats not to have long hooked rose-thorn type claws because they can actually get caught on things and break a cat's toe or get torn out, necessitating a one-toe declaw by the vet.  There is probably a nice diagram and instructions on here somewhere too.  The only problem is that since they did not get used to nail trimming as they grew up, they may be startled by it an not be cooperative. 
 
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newkittyowner

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Thanks for the info. What should I look for to know if they need it done yet?
 

mycatwasthebest

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if they don't have scratching posts you can assume they need it, if their nails are excessively curled under they definitely do
 

mycatwasthebest

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ps...I like the scissors where there's a hole for the cats claw, not sure if those are what rtr refers to...
 
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newkittyowner

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They have scratching post but I think only one of them yes it and to be honest I have never noticed their nails but and going to take a look.
Thanks!
 
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newkittyowner

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Just looked at one if them and they are far from curled under and don't look that long. The other is too playful right now so will check at a quiet time. Thanks!
 

hazmat

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I use human toe nail clippers. Then again I am cheap. :)
 
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newkittyowner

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Thanks neither hubby or I feel confidants so will get someone to do it.
 
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newkittyowner

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So gave it a try to clip their nails and they hated it. It took ever effort to do a few of each kittens nails. We didn't get them all done and I fear one or two may be jagged! I think we need to get someone to do it.
 
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mycatwasthebest

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You just really can't expect a cat to just sit there and let u clip it's nails. If you at first only do the longest one or two at a time it will even out, jagged is really worse than not clipping, that's why I liked the pro scissors, they will last longer than u.
 
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newkittyowner

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I know I can't lol! Just I had a couple friends that have done their cats nails and said they were fine with but perhaps cause they did them as kittens.
I will check out that link thanks.
Pro scissors are special cat nail trimming tool?
We have more nails to do on each of them. Didn't get a chance tonight. They Howled and fight to get away and I feel so bad. But my vet charges 29 bucks to have it done which seems high!
 
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GoldyCat

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It's possible to trim claws on older cats who have never had it done, you just have to take it slow. I've been trimming claws at the local shelter where I volunteer for the past 4 years and I've only come across 3 cats in the entire time that I needed help holding them. Clipping even one claw at a time and giving treats afterward can get you started.
 

greenidcat

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Do Please help!!! I have an senior Siamese cat who .. like me .. is bipolar!!!
LoL. She desperately needs her nails cut and I don't have the money to have them done. Because they would most definitely have to sedate her. I've been trying to get her used to someone touching her paws but she isn't any part of it I know how to trim her nails because I've done it on all of our other cats. Should I just try wrapping her up n her blanket
 

spiffykitty

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Have you tried calling a cat groomer to see if they can do it? People who groom for a living tend to have pretty good skills when it come to handling cats without sedation.

If that's not what you want to do, yes, try wrapping your cat in a big towel -- the burrito wrap. Then pull out the paw you want to work on and trim the claws. You don't have to rush and get them all done in one try. YOu can also just trim a claw every so often, until you get them all done. She may tolerate it better if you just do one claw instead of trying to do all of them. Good luck.
 
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newkittyowner

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Have you tried calling a cat groomer to see if they can do it? People who groom for a living tend to have pretty good skills when it come to handling cats without sedation.

If that's not what you want to do, yes, try wrapping your cat in a big towel -- the burrito wrap. Then pull out the paw you want to work on and trim the claws. You don't have to rush and get them all done in one try. YOu can also just trim a claw every so often, until you get them all done. She may tolerate it better if you just do one claw instead of trying to do all of them. Good luck.
HI there, thanks for your reply,

No I haven't , their vet will do it but for a big price! I called the place where we adopted them from and although they don't usually help past clients trim nails they said I could bring them in at no cost and they would help me. So that is good news and  will do that.  I tried to just massage one of my cats paws which she liked but when  went to try and clip her nail she nipped me to say she didn't like it. Hopefully the animal aid can help!
 

spiffykitty

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A little nip is okay as long as she doesn't break the skin. Cat bites can quickly become infected. If she tends to scratch while you try to do the claws, you can wear a jacket to protect your arms. I wear gauntlets, which are available online.

I'd try calling another vet clinic. Some will do a walk-in claw trim for about $10 to $25 dollars. If your cat really goes bonkers, of course they would have to give up since sedation is not an option. A cat may act very different at a clinic than the way they act at home. 

Anyway, sounds like you've found a solution for now, so that's good!
 

autumnrose74

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I know I can't lol! Just I had a couple friends that have done their cats nails and said they were fine with but perhaps cause they did them as kittens.
I will check out that link thanks.
Pro scissors are special cat nail trimming tool?
We have more nails to do on each of them. Didn't get a chance tonight. They Howled and fight to get away and I feel so bad. But my vet charges 29 bucks to have it done which seems high!
My cat doesn't like her claws trimmed either but, IMO, having someone else do it like owning a car and having your mechanic check your tire pressure or change your qiper blade inserts for you - completely unnecessary, and a simple job that comes with the territory.

I've wrapped her up in a blanket with only the hind or front feet (whichever end I'm working on) sticking out. Sure, she howls a bit, but she'd be howling even more if I let her claws grow to the point where they are catching on the carpets and ripping out.

Scratching posts don't actually keep the claws short; they only remove the outer sheath. The claws still have to to be trimmed.

You can buy claw trimming scissors at any pet store - PetCo., PetSmart, etc. for around $6-7.00. Don't use nail clippers meant for human nails, as they will crush the claw. Human nails are flat with only a very slight curve; cats' claws are round, so claw trimmers have a rounded blade that accommodates that shape.
 
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newkittyowner

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My cat doesn't like her claws trimmed either but, IMO, having someone else do it like owning a car and having your mechanic check your tire pressure or change your qiper blade inserts for you - completely unnecessary, and a simple job that comes with the territory.

I've wrapped her up in a blanket with only the hind or front feet (whichever end I'm working on) sticking out. Sure, she howls a bit, but she'd be howling even more if I let her claws grow to the point where they are catching on the carpets and ripping out.

Scratching posts don't actually keep the claws short; they only remove the outer sheath. The claws still have to to be trimmed.

You can buy claw trimming scissors at any pet store - PetCo., PetSmart, etc. for around $6-7.00. Don't use nail clippers meant for human nails, as they will crush the claw. Human nails are flat with only a very slight curve; cats' claws are round, so claw trimmers have a rounded blade that accommodates that shape.
Not been on this post for a bit. I wish I had of seen your post on the right scissors as I just trimmed one paw of my cats claw myself with human nail clippers and not sure if I did it right or not. Also they were far from happy I had to hold her in a blanket to make her stay and firmly too or she would get away. I guess I should pay the money for the vet to do it? But I wonder how fast they grow and will regular nail trimming become a very expensive thing at the vet? I hope I didn't harm them?
 
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