Monte, his wittle nails, and I need some lessons!

[Cataholic]

Well, as some of you may know, I recently found myself begat with cat- a small impish, very NAWTEEKAT named Monte. As some of you also know, Monte will be my first non-declawed cat (you all may take a bow, pat yourself on the back, drink a toast, etc.).

The thing is, I need to know the whens and hows of it all. Monte is approx 5 months old. I already fondle his pawsies, pushing the nails out, and he is okay with it...as much as a flying bundle of bad blackness can be, anyhow.

How do I clip his nails? Just like I do Binx's? I know I need the little cat scissors, which I haven't bought yet. Do cats have quicks? Any way to do it better than others?

Should I do the glue on nails, instead? Do I clip the back nails? Help me!

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by Cataholic
How do I clip his nails? Just like I do Binx's? I know I need the little cat scissors, which I haven't bought yet. Do cats have quicks? Any way to do it better than others?

Should I do the glue on nails, instead? Do I clip the back nails? Help me!

Don't know how you do Binx's nails. The little cat scissors really do make the job easier. Yes, cats have quicks. If you look closely (I know it's close to impossible with a squirming armful of kitty fluff, but try) you can see the little pink quick - DO NOT CUT DOWN THAT FAR. It will bleed and hurt the cat and the cat will hurt you and hate you forever.

Any way to do it better than others? Yes, get a friend to help. Use the burrito wrap method or (my personal favorite) have them done professionally. Much less blood shed that way.

And, yes, the back nails get done too, which is impossible for me with Mishi.

I try to get them when they're relaxed and not grump. With my two it's one nail at a time; two if I'm lucky. Eventually I give up and take them in to have them done professionally for $14 per cat. Cheaper for me than ER bills

[Edwina's Secretary]

We have always trimmed Edwina's back claws and now, with Eddie, all four. It is a two person job. I hold and Don cuts. We do it about once a month.

Eddie has this wonderful scratching thingie that T&P's mom gave to us with him (which we have repalced a few times.) He just loves it.

[catland]

Since you're new to kitty claws, I'd recommend a visit to the vet where you can be instructed on the proper way to do his nails.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Sara, I just noticed you added Eddie to your "name" section (whatever it's called where you have and Eddie too....) Do you have the unfreez program so you can put multiple pics in your avatar and they scroll through like a little slide show? If not, I've got the program and I could email it to you if you wanted to add Eddie to your avatar. It's a small file so emailing would be easy.

I guess it's definitely permanent now - he's made the "name thingy".

Sorry Johanna, not to get side tracked, unfortunately I have no advice for you. T & P are both clawless in front since I am a reformed declawer like you and I have never bothered to clip their back claws. Never even crossed my mind to do that, and I think it's much too late to start now.

I know there are others here who can give you great advice, so I'll leave it to them, but one thing that might help is if you had the vet do it the first time and show you how. He/she could do one paw and then watch while you do the other to make sure you're doing it correctly.

Good luck, and you know, we haven't seen near enough pics of that little rascal......

[jenluckenbach]

Cat nails are similar to dog nails ecept you need to "push them out". you already know that.

They have quicks but they should be easy to see. Even my black cats have nails light enough in color to see the "pink" quick and the "white" nail.

Don't go ALL the way to the pink because there might be a tiny blood vessel (capillary) that you can not see.

Remember, you can always take more, but once it's off.....IT'S OFF!

Yes, do the back, but you might only need to do them every OTHER time.


Groomers are cheaper than vets AND they are both cheaper than hospital bills, so if it is too difficult to get him to hold still, spend the money. (cat bites are NASTY business.......trust me, I know)

[Nomilynn]

I trim all four paws on my kitties, and the front ones do seem to need it more often. If your vet will do it, they may not even charge you for a "lesson" on trimming.. good luck with it! Hope he doesn't wiggle too much for ya!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Says He who started Kat Klippin when Fred (RB ) and lil Boots were
both VERY TINY Kittens!

Five Months is not "too" late to start...

I used Brute Force to teach them both that
1) Klaw Klippin did NOT hurt *if* they just accepted that it
. . was GOING to Happen once a month...
2) Laying UPpy-side-down on my lap did NOT signify the world was ending..
3) and that *I* could hold on tight enough to one arm or leg
. . to prevent escape

I only had to "burrito wrap" Boots once or twice.
NOW he'll remain calm sitting half on / half off my lap,
with my free hand and elbow pinning him to my side,
while I do his "Fronts".
BACK Claws require him to lay ON my lap, belly *UP*.

As for the one or two "Klips" per session...
*I* use the All-At-ONE-Time method - once I have him -
he does NOT leave before they are ALL done!
Once I "start" - if he really *fusses*... I just HOLD ONTO him
and let him settle before continuing.
Monte WILL learn the drill -
try NOT to let him learn that a BIG FUSS will stop the Clip Job!

Another thought...
No matter HOW *quietly* I extract the Toe Choppers from the closit...
He KNOWS when I pick em up -
On Klip Nite; I just put them in my pocket (as he DASHES for the
"safety" of the tub/shower)...
Wait a hour; he thinks he *panicked* for nuttin;
then I scoop him up when he's not expecting it!

There IS something to be said for having an *expert* SHOW you
where to clip... Your White Coat shold be happy to demonstrate the
procedure during a regular visit - for FREE.
But I'd get Monte used to sitting STILL for the Klip Job even
if you only go through the motions a few times without
actually Klippin anything.

And as someone else said -
DON'T clip too short - you can always go back and Clip Again!

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

Originally posted by Edwina's Secretary
It is a two person job. I hold and Don cuts. We do it about once a month.

This is precisely what we do. And we nip off just the tips.

[Felicia's Mom]

My advice is don't clip too far back; just clip the ends. I cut the quick the first time I did Felicia and she had never forgotten it. That happened over fourteen years ago.
I have take her to the vet to have her's done.

I clip Beau's claws. I hold him on my lap like a baby. This may not be the proper way, but it is the easiest for me.

[Miss Meow]

We do little trims every couple of weeks. The front claws always need trimming, the back claws we can miss occasionally. We were using scissor-style clippers, but have been experimenting with the dog nail clippers with the guillotine action - they are quieter but I can't see as much of what I'm trying to trim.

Jasmine is good and we hold her like a baby to do them. Mini and Tabasco are given a trim while they're sleeping. I pet, snip, pet, snip, pet, snip! Pickles has decided that any contact with his feet is banned forever more so we let them go until we have to do them. I have to lock myself in the bathroom with him and do one nail every few minutes between hissy fits.

[CatDad]

OK, I have nothing new to add I just agree with what every one else said.

I can't remember if Monte is an indoor only or an in/out kitty, either way I would get him something to scratch on.

Good luck with the trim, I am sure that you will do fine.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Here's a GOOD article about the How To's of Klaw Klippin -
Including a good, detailed photo of WHERE to Klip >>>

cdhs.net - Trimming Your Cat's Nails

This page was taken from the "SoftPaws" web site -
here's the SoftPaws site >>>
SoftPaws - How to Clip page

Side View - WHERE to Clip...


Look at the SoftPaws page - they show two different
"styles" of clipper - the Scissors type (on the Right) are a
LOT easier to use than the "Dog Style" on the Left!

With the Scissors style - the cut is made Across the nail or
"from the side"; very natural while Kitty is on your lap.
The Dog Style is best positioned above or below the foot and nail -
difficult to do with Kitty sitting beside you or on your lap.

OK - you're all set...
Done yet??

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke
OK - you're all set...
Done yet??

Tomorrow we'll get the tale of how she ended up with scratches up and down her arms, the house is trashed and Monte hiding in the closet for hours on end....with one claw done.

Just kidding, Johanna. I'm sure you'll do just fine, especially with the experience you have from that mini horse of yours.

[Cataholic]

First, I have to 'catch' Monte..since he is usually in overdrive most of the day. Hence his nickname- Monte Carlo SS...he he he..

AND, I looked. Monte's feet, as well as the rest of him are as black as the ace of spades, if not blacker. So, there will be no easy to see quick. I don't know if I will do the back wheels or not. I don't ever do my other guys back wheels....

I have to buy the tiny clippers....and make an appointment for Monte to see the v-e-t...for the big snip! I am also going to ask if they can modify him from a 8 cylinder to a 2 cylinder. My poor other cats are exhausted from him!

Thanks to all for the suggestions...I will keep you updated on the outcome- assuming all fingers are still attached.