Best way to cut cats nails

[RobbieG1977]

I know I have to train my cat to like getting her nails clipped but what is the most effective way to start?

[RobbieG1977]

Well my one kitty has a million toes and she is very skittish so its going to be harder.  I tried catnip the other day and she refused it so I wil get new stuff see what happens.

[CatShapedHeart3]

My mane coon sits on my lap for it...i didnt train him but hes mellow enough. my girl penny i had to cover in a blankie and poke her feet out one by one while my husband clipped, she didnt mind too much. My baby shanks i had to cover him to but talk to him because he was sick and I was more worried them him lol. And my smallest girl hasnt grown into hers yet lol

[AUNTDD]

Hi Rob,

I had to lauph cause your right, cats arn't dumb.  Actually I think mine are smarter than me.  lol.  You can get frontline from your vet or in just about any pet store.  You can also get it online sometimes alittle cheeper.  It is in a tube you put on behind the neck.  Sorry your still having trouble with the allergy's.  Good luck.

Tammy

[RobbieG1977]

Hey Tammy,

Yeah I am still having allergy issues or I think that is what it is.  I did use the hertz thing.  Maybe I should try the frontline.  Would Petco have this stuff?  And is it in a tube of a flea collar?

As for the skittish kitty I have, I will try the catnip but she isn't dumb either..

[AUNTDD]

Sorry it took me so long to get bk to you.  Our cat Harmoney is very skittish,  just have to be patient.  Maybe try the catnip trick.  Hope all is well.

P.S. I know the flee stuff from walmart is great on a budget, (and nobody knows about a buget better than me)  but the hertz brand isn't so good.  My husband is very allergic to flee bites.  It just didn't seem to work for us.  We use the frontline brand.  It is expencive, but it works well for us.  

Is the dander any better?  Hope so,

Tammy

[RobbieG1977]

Hey Tammy,

I went and got some ear mite drops.  I also wet and got some flea and tick stuff.  It comes in a smal tube and you run in on them near the back part of their head.  The part where they can't reach it.

So far so good.  We will see after 5 more days of treatment.  One of my cats however doesn't like the ear mite drops.  Any tricks to getting it in her ears?

Rob

[AUNTDD]

Hmmmm, ok ears first.  Look in the ear cavity and see if there is anything there.  If you see little black specks that could be ear mites.  If so good ol walmart has a otc treatment.  

Do your cats scratch themselves alot?  I know if your busy like us it's hard, but i try and vaccume everyday.  Our cats shed quite alot when it's hot.  I would use a shampoo that would help with shedding.  I found one at petco that has oatmeal to soothe there skin.  We love our little ones sooo much but we don't let them sleep with us anymore cause of the hair.  I hope this helps.  Let know k!!!!

Tammy

[RobbieG1977]

Hey Tammy,

These are very good tips and I will do that today.  Thanks...

Here is another problem for ya.  

I am not sure what my problem is but I maybe having an allergic reaction to my cats that I never had before.  There dandar along with dust mites.

Any ideas for the cat dandar?  Also I have been noticing my cats scratching there ears.  Is there anything I can get without going to the vet?

I am excited about your tips, keep them coming. :)

[AUNTDD]

ALSO.... If you slightly push on the pads near the nail, the claw comes out where you can see it better.
Good luck!!!!

[AUNTDD]

Hi, Rob.  Look on walmart.com.  They are called Pet Select Cat Claw Clippers. Just trim the end not too far back.
We usaully sprinkle some catnip on the floor or on their scatch pad. We get it at walmart too!
Good luck, stay calm, cats pick up your mood. Stay confident,  You'll do great.

Tammy

[RobbieG1977]

That is a great tip.  Can you send me a message in more detail as to what kind of clippers and what exactly you did.  I appreciate it.

Rob

[AUNTDD]

Hi,  It can be very difficult,  My hubby and i have found a good method with ours though.  About 10 mins before, we give ours some catnip.  They love it and by the time we start  they don't seem to care.  He holds while i cut.  good luck,  we found a great pair of cat clippers at wal-mart.

Tammy

[Savas]

Ah, I almost forgot, DON'T cut into the quick of the nail. You should just do the 1/4 inch tip. The part where you see discoloration starting has, in fact, blood in it. If you hit that, you've gone too far...and will have to take kitty to a vet asap.

[Savas]

I'd consider trying the soft paws products. They're little plastic tips you glue on your cat's claws. I've heard they do wonders (you can ask April2 about them).

Otherwise, be sure you have the proper tool from a pet store. DON'T use a normal clipper.

I'll warn you, cutting a cat's claws is never easy, and they never like it. It can develop huge amounts of animosity towards you.

Plus, even with the proper clippers, there's still a big danger of crushing the cuticle (cat's have a round, hollow area in the center of the claw that's easily collapsed. I was as close to an expert as you can get, and it still happened to me...which is why I stopped).

Once crushed, the danger of infection is high, btw.

The only other advice I can give if you go ahead with cutting, is to get a friend to hold kitty down. I'd suggest throwing a large bath towel over kitty (don't cover the head!) and then have  your friend hold kitty down.

Good luck, either way. :)