Reply to Sweet but destructive cat. Help!!!

Forum Index » Pets

Reply to "Sweet but destructive cat. Help!!!"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]All PP’s behavioural advice is good but as a more practical thing, I would advise cutting the cats nails frequently.  If you keep their nails trimmed it cuts down a bit on the level of destruct they’re capable of.  If it’s a kitten it’s also good for both of you to get used to nail trimming while the cat is reasonably easy to hold down.  Play with their paws a lot even when not trimming nails to get them used to having their paws handled.[/quote]
OP again. Good advice PP. we’ve taken her to the vet a couple of times to trim her nails. She won’t let us hold her let alone hold her paws to trim her nails. It’s really a struggle! [/quote]

I'm the first PP and meant to mention this -- you have to figure out how to cut her claws yourself. You will never be able to keep up if you rely on going to the vet.

Here are my tips for this.

You need to trim claws when the cat is feeling relaxed. I get you that this cat is very active, but she's still a cat -- I guarantee she has some napping, lounging time during the day. Watch for these times and that's when you trim the claws.

The way I approach my cat for this is by essential laying on top of him. I wait until he's very relaxed on a bed or the couch, and then I drape my body over him and give him some ear scratches and face rubs (he likes these, and also if he accepts them, that means he's in a good, relaxed mood -- if he resists or runs away, it's not a good time to trim claws anyway.

Then I basically trap him under my chest with my arms on either side of his body. In, like, a loving way. The more you practice, the better.

Then I take a paw in my left hand and apply gentle pressure by squeezing it between my thumb and middle finger. this pressure generally causes him to extend his claws. Then I use a safety trimmer (the one with the circle you put the claw in) to go quickly through each claw, including the "thumb".

If he's game, I'll do the other paw. Sometimes once I'm done with one paw, he's had enough, and I make a note to get the other one later.

I only trim front paws, the back claws don't get as sharp and he doesn't use them to attack us or the furniture.

Just keep trying until she acquiesces. My cat needs his claws trimmed about once a week or they get dangerous.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics