So, the cat needs a manicure...

#1

So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:17pm

It's mani/pedi day at Peach's house...

Any pet owners out there have a foolrpoof way to get a cat to HOLD STILL when you are trying to trim her nails?

This is a major project every time. Any tips (no pun intended)? Usually, I get her under the "arms" so she's standing on her hind legs and go from there. Kind of renders her slightly immobile.

I know the proper technique for administering said cat manicure - but I'm looking for better ways to keep the little bugger form squriming all over the place! And the "wrap her in a towel" option doesn't work - she squirms out and I get a nice swat across the forearm. (hiss!)

I hate mani/pedi day...

Updated On: 12/16/05 at 12:17 PM

#2

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:22pm

Sit on a chair or a couch or something, and put the cat in your lap, using your legs to keep her from going anywhere. Just hold tight around her belly and she really won't be able to move. That way you have a free hand to hold her by the scruff of her neck so she can't nip you. If someone's around to help you, making it a two-person job sometimes helps. Have someone hold the cat under her chest and keep her head from moving while you clip the nails.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 12/16/05 at 12:22 PM

#3

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:25pm

SG and I usually make this a two person job. She holds them and I do the trimming. Good luck, Peach!

#4

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:25pm

I second emcee. My cat really hated getting his claws clipped, but as time went on, he began to tolerate it more. If you hold him like that, he can't squirm away. Talk to him soothingly. Soon he'll be merely begrudging.

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#5

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:29pm

With Satan Cat, we make it a two person job. She hates everyone but my immediate family and only loves us when it's convenient for her. The original owner that my brother basically stole her from was very abusive when she was a kitten, so I guess that's understandable. She would rip us to shreds if we tried to go it alone.

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Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel like you're less than f**ckin' perfect!

#6

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:29pm

Clipping the nails is one thing. It's getting her to hold sill while you put the red nail polish on that's a bitch!

#7

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:31pm

Using the couch method, I've gotten two nails trimmed! Thank you! I gave her a cookie for being a good girl and I'll come back for the rest in a little bit. She's a bit of a tomboy, so she HATES mani-pedi day.

My other cat, on the other hand (the diva) is like "Ohh! let's get manicures! Champagne anyone?" She actually holds her paw out for you to trim...

Thanks for the tips!

#8

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:33pm

LOL Jon. I had a friend that used to paint her dog's nails. It was funny!

#9

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:35pm

Yay! That's something I forgot, but you're doing it anyway, I guess -- if all she'll let you do is a few at a time, let it be. Do as many as you can without her getting mad, and when she starts to get upset let her go and come back to do more in a little while.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#10

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:46pm

Murphy lets me clip his nails without a problem until I get to the last two. Always. Then he starts to squirm and let me tell you, 20 pounds of squirming kitty isn't fun.
*EDIT* I just realized that last sentence is semi-pornographic.

Updated On: 12/16/05 at 12:46 PM

#11

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 1:10pm

That put a lovely visual in my head, thanks. I am now picturing the boxes at the video store that I stayed away from.

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Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel like you're less than f**ckin' perfect!

#12

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 1:20pm

The only way I can trim my cat's nails is if I tranquelize her with a dart gun first. We have to wait until they're at a dangerous length and then take her to the vet to have them trimmed.

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www.thebreastcancersite.com
A click for life.
mamie4 5/14/03

#13

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 2:20pm

jersey girl, you cannot possibly have satan cat, as I do.

Why just today......he tried to tear apart my duck marionette, has attacked and bitten my feet twice, and given me dirty looks all morning.

When I clip the little sucker, I sit on the bed, with him to my left, and firmly grap a paw and clip....he normally doesn't give me trouble with the right paw, but OH that left......I have to really hold hard, and tap his nose if he tries to bite.

When he is REALLY bad, I wrap him in a towl, and allow one paw out at a time (not covering his head) and clip.

When he is perfectly EVIL, I take him to the Vet and let her do it for $25........she calls him her Angel...HA

he is the spawn of Satan

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It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story... AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956

#14

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 5:45pm

This is demon spawn.

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You promised me poems. ~Tricky

#15

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 5:48pm

I guess he doesn't like Christmas trees.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#16

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 5:51pm

She looks like a rattlesnake in that photo. And actually the tree is her secret lover. I think she'll be in mourning when we take it down.

And, if I'm going to be on topic, if I ever do her by myself, I clip her nails like you suggested, em. She's a squirmer.

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You promised me poems. ~Tricky

#17

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 5:58pm

I worked at an animal shelter for a few years, so I worked with a lot of animals that were abused, scared of people or just little devils in general. Talk about squirmy.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#18

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 6:04pm

I was always told the best way was to use a towell to wrap the cat in, and then pull out each individual paw so that you clip only that paw/claw at the time. That way, the back legs are wrapped and the front paw you are not clipping is also wrapped.

Bribing with good snacks as you do it also helps. This method seems to work best for front claws.

Good luck. I am a sissy, and usually let the vet do it when I take them in. Though my grey cat really does not mind much. The Siamese hates having her paws touched . . .

#19

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/16/05 at 8:33pm

In our house, it's usually a two-person job. For Bonnie, who hates having her nails clipped and will shred you if she gets a chance, the one doing the cat-holding wears gardening gloves. At least it saves the hands. When we clip Aisling's nails, she makes fists. I'm not kidding. She scrunches up her paws as if she's clawing something and you have to pry her fingers loose.
Ceili and Puca are angels and never give us any trouble.
The dog goes to the vet for his nails. He's great for the doctor, screams bloody blue murder if we try it. Go figure.

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"And the postman sighed as he scratched his head, you really rather thought she ought to be dead..."

#20

re: So, the cat needs a manicure...

Posted: 12/17/05 at 12:15am

my cat stays out side and climbs trees ana all that good stuff enough that we don't clip her nails. i'm telling you it's great to live in a small small town.