Need help!!!

[Tuxedocatwoman79]

I adopted 2 kittens in December, 5 months old. One acts like I'm going to cut his tail off instead of trim his nails. He runs from me all day but gets in my bed at night. How do I trim his nails? Please don't suggest the kitty burrito. He tried to rip my eyes out when he THOUGHT I was gonna cut his nails. He had no problem with this at the shelter while I was holding him. His claws are cutting me and he's an indoor cat so, despite the negative comments this will generate, both my cats need to have manicured paws so they don't destroy me or my house. I am not going to take him to the vet just for nails because getting him in his carried means I will most likely require stitches...

 

[Robyn5678]

I’m in the same boat. 2 out of 3 will let me clip their nails. The 4th I take to the vet so often for asthma they do hers. I’m still working on getting my last guy to let me clip his. He’s sooooo wiggly. What I have been trying to do is play and squeeze his paws when he’s sitting or sleeping in my lap. He’s finally starting not to pull away so I may see if I can get a nail or 2.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I agree with the above. It is all about desensitizing a cat so that over time they learn that having their paws touched is not a big deal. You will have to be diligent with this approach, as in every day, if not multiple times a day. To start with, just touch a paw for a second or two, then longer, and so on. The very first time you can get your cat to not pull away, have a treat on hand to give him. If you then try another paw and if he pulls away, no treat. At some juncture, you will also need to desensitize your cat to the trimmers as well. That means not hiding them until the second you are ready to try to trim a nail.

The same process goes for when you are ready to trim a nail. It might mean at first you are cutting one every day. A treat follows each nail that gets trimmed successfully. Cutting a nail when his is sleeping, or sleepy and resting. You might also consider trying some calming products to see if that might help relax your cat. Not all of them work on all cats, so you might have to experiment.

Ditto the process above if picking up your cat is part of the problem. Btw, this technique can also be used to get your cat more comfortable with the carrier as well - leaving the carrier out in plain sight, placing treats in front of it or nearby to get him to eat those, moving the treats closer and closer until you are actually able to get him to step into the carrier for the treats. Spraying the carrier with a calming product might also be another step to try.

This process isn't going to happen overnight, and it is going to require your patience and diligence. But the sooner you institute steps to desensitize these things with your cat, the better off you will be.

 

[Robyn5678]

Ditto the process above if picking up your cat is part of the problem. Btw, this technique can also be used to get your cat more comfortable with the carrier as well - leaving the carrier out in plain sight, placing treats in front of it or nearby to get him to eat those, moving the treats closer and closer until you are actually able to get him to step into the carrier for the treats. Spraying the carrier with a calming product might also be another step to try.

Yes I agree with the picking up part too. I have been working on that with this cat too. He always follows me to the bathroom so I pick him up. I don’t force him to stay, if he jumps right down I let him. There has been significant progress over the past few months. The above person is correct, it won’t happen overnight

 

[Tuxedocatwoman79]

Here's the weird thing. This particular cat literally spends all of his energy running from me. He is very jumpy, to the point where all I have to do is breathe a little too loud and he will jump. Same thing if I cough or shift positions. I'm actually afraid he's going to give himself a heart attack. When he's in my bed he will let me touch his paws all day long. I can even expose a claw. But the second I move for whatever reason, he turns into psycho kitty the clippers are always out, never hidden.

 

[FeebysOwner]

You are less 'imposing' to him when you are laying down. So, it is likely something about your demeanor/movements that freak him out - for whatever reason. Here is a TCS article that you might be interested in to see if it might help your cat feel less 'threatened' by you - not saying your cat doesn't like you, that just happens to be the article's title.
14 Cat Experts Reveal: How To Get A Cat To Like Me – TheCatSite Articles

 

[Tuxedocatwoman79]

I have no doubt that he loves me. He wouldn't sleep almost under me if he didn't lol. I think he's just an oddball. He wasn't like this when I brought him home. It wasn't until the other one stopped hiding that he became a nervous wreck. I thought maybe the other one was tormenting him but they sleep together, play together etc...thank you for the article

 

[Babypaws]

I adopted 2 kittens in December, 5 months old. One acts like I'm going to cut his tail off instead of trim his nails. He runs from me all day but gets in my bed at night. How do I trim his nails? Please don't suggest the kitty burrito. He tried to rip my eyes out when he THOUGHT I was gonna cut his nails. He had no problem with this at the shelter while I was holding him. His claws are cutting me and he's an indoor cat so, despite the negative comments this will generate, both my cats need to have manicured paws so they don't destroy me or my house. I am not going to take him to the vet just for nails because getting him in his carried means I will most likely require stitches...

I have a lot of indoor cats and I think trying to clip their nails is the WORSE CHORE ever! I have 3 that wont let me near their nails, they are long and when I play with them (the cats) I have to be very careful and quick so I don’t get clawed which has happened a few times. I’ve tried wrapping them up in towel….forget that..cats are really, really strong and can wiggle out of it very easy. I can’t afford to bring them to vet every time they need to be cut. When I trim my other cats nails I have to sweet talk to them and sometimes can only get one paw done at a time. I know they need to be cut so they don’t start growing into their skin. I have plenty of scratching posts and a couple of wood 2x4 they scratch on too.

 

[Tuxedocatwoman79]

Update: The cat who thought I was trying to kill him has done a complete 180. He can't get enough pets from me and he lays with me any time if the day. I figured out a system, no wrapping required lol

 

[Purr-fect]

Please share it here for others.

We give our cats a couple of treats when we finish clipping their nails. We dont restrain them, we stay calm and quiet and only cut a couple of nails at a time. And we are quick about it....although careful to not cut too much nail at once.

 

[Babypaws]

Update: The cat who thought I was trying to kill him has done a complete 180. He can't get enough pets from me and he lays with me any time if the day. I figured out a system, no wrapping required lol

yes, please share your wisdom

 

[Tuxedocatwoman79]

It literally has to be the perfect moment. I'll lay in the couch and he can't get enough pets...then I start walking around the house so he can watch me. I squat down so we're eye level and he comes up to me and I pick him up. But I only have a short window because I have found he will tolerate being held long enough for front and back paws. I talk to him as if I'm having a crush on the phone and by the time he's annoyed we're done. Then comes the squeezable treat and we're friends again.