Kitten Objects To Nail Trim By Biting

msFriday

Smokey at 7 months and Indy at 5 years
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I'm relatively new here, so forgive me if this has been covered before. I have a 7-month old (or so) kitten we literally rescued from traffic when she was 2 months old. She is a very independent soul, not a cuddler, and I try to respect that even though she is so beautiful I just want to hug her!

Anyway, she has decided that she doesn't want her nails trimmed (even though I try to do it when she is asleep, so she will hold still), and gently bit me yesterday when I tried. It was not a love bite, it was definitely in response to me touching her feet. She did not bite hard, and immediately after she licked my fingers.

How should I respond if she does this again? Ignore it and continue trying to trim her nails? Go away and try again later? Or what? Thanks for your help...
 

Mamanyt1953

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She's a patient little thing, considering. My cat would have left me bleeding, and has, more than once. I take her to the vet for nail trims...mostly because I don't drive, and couldn't get to a doctor if she really bit, or clawed too hard.

HOWEVER...try just trimming one nail at a time, then letting her rest between for an hour or so. Once she does that well, go for two at a time. Eventually, or so the theory goes, you should be able to trim all nails in one sitting, although that might take months.
 

Desertmouse

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Aww she sounds so sweet! I love how she was so gentle with you when saying no.

I’m going through the same thing with my own cat. What I’m trying personally is to handle her feet for s little bit (about 30 seconds each) when she is sleepy, then I plan to move on to clipping one or two at a time.
 

rubysmama

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TCS has an article on How To Best Take Care Of Cat Claws that might have some tips on trimming your cats nails.

Hopefully in time she'll be more comfortable with you touching her paws.

If she bites you again, say "owwwww" in a high pitched tone, to let her know she hurt you.

Eventually, or so the theory goes, you should be able to trim all nails in one sitting, although that might take months.
I'm at 50+ months now, and Ruby still doesn't let me get more than 2 claws trimmed at a time! I guess either she, or maybe it's me, is a slow learner. :crackup:
 

dustydiamond1

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Gypsy loves getting gently massaged including her feet and toes so I get her into a state I call 'melted butter' and using human nail clippers just do a few at a time.
 
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msFriday

Smokey at 7 months and Indy at 5 years
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Thanks for all your advice! When we first got her, I did try to handle her feet to get her used to it, but then as time went on, I guess I forgot to keep doing it :( I will start doing it again, when I'm not going to trim her claws. Also, I will try to do only one or two at a time -- the problem is remembering which ones I've done! :) She is a medium hair, and I can't really see her nails until I've pulled her hair out of the way! Thanks again...
 

Tobermory

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How should I respond if she does this again? Ignore it and continue trying to trim her nails? Go away and try again later? Or what? Thanks for your help...
Don’t ignore it and keep trying. They just get more adamant that you will NOT touch their feet and trim their nails and their displeasure becomes even more...um...physical. I speak from experience and have the tooth marks to prove it. :) I always stop, say “hey, hey” in a tone of voice that’s supposed to induce guilt (:flail:) and try again later when they’re sleepier. Mine are long haired so by the time I gently squeeze their paws and wade through all of that toe floof to expose a claw, they’re generally wide awake again and not amused. It takes me weeks to trim all of their claws. That’s just the way it works here. :lol:
 
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msFriday

Smokey at 7 months and Indy at 5 years
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Don’t ignore it and keep trying. They just get more adamant that you will NOT touch their feet and trim their nails and their displeasure becomes even more...um...physical. I speak from experience and have the tooth marks to prove it. :) I always stop, say “hey, hey” in a tone of voice that’s supposed to induce guilt (:flail:) and try again later when they’re sleepier. Mine are long haired so by the time I gently squeeze their paws and wade through all of that toe floof to expose a claw, they’re generally wide awake again and not amused. It takes me weeks to trim all of their claws. That’s just the way it works here. :lol:
Wow, can I relate! (love the "guilt" emoticon). You are exactly right, by the time I FIND her claw, she is wide awake and not happy!
 

di and bob

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I have had too many cats to count and have never had to trim ANY of their nails. On a cat I would think that would only be necessary if one curls into the pad. Dogs have done this, but never cats. You could check them every few months, but if they ahae something to claw, and climb, trimming shouldn't be necessary at all. Many of my cats right now are over ten years old and have never had their claws trimmed and they are all fine.
 
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