Nail clipping tutorial

[jenluckenbach]

Allow me to demonstrate how I clip cat nails. (modeled by Lucas)
First ......nail clipper in your favored hand (my right), cat in you other hand sitting on lap......do NOT wear SHORT shorts!



Next....do cat's left front foot (the easiest)


Then the cat's right front foot (starts to get a little more difficult. Keep elbow in close to cat as firmly as needed)


Now on to the back feet. Before reaching for the left rear foot shift your clipper arm down around front of cat (to block forward motion)


In order to reach the right rear foot (which is currently under the cat and next to your body) you will need to reach under the cat and pull it out while slightly rolling the cat. the less motion, the happier the cat, so pull it out only as far as absolutely necessary. (Lucas doesn't mind his belly in the air, some will)


So, how do you do a cat that is struggling?

The front would be basically the same, but the back can get tricky if the cat struggles. Here (modeled by Monte) is how I turn the cat upside down and tuck it between my arm and body. (It may not look like it in the picture, but I have a lot of pressure on the cat preventing him from sitting up)


OR



p.s. Monte would like everyone to know that he does NOT require the above pose for his nails and that it was really Ashley who prompted these pictures.


Now go out there and clip some nails!!! Any questions??


Photos compliments of Charlie. Didn't he do well???

[christa]

I'm SOOOOOO GLAD that you did this cause I'm wanting to start Josie. I know, I know, I should have started early, but better late than never, right???

Anyway, I've got a question. I know you're not supposed to clip the pink part . . . but how much is enough to clip? Just the very tip? Or further up?

Thanks again for the tutorial!

[sirrahbed]

Thank you Thank you Jen!!! I will definitely refer to this!!! Hopefully the babies will be easy to overpower and learn that is is no big deal. I also want to try clipping the BACK nails on Emily and Eliot because I have some doozies of scars from them leaping off my lap and climbing on me in the night!!

Great pictures Charlie

[rg_girlca]

Thank you Jen for that great tutorial and great pictures Charlie.

I have no problem clipping the front nails, it's the back ones that I have a problem with. I will try your way Jen and hope for the best.

[jenluckenbach]

how much is enough to clip? Just the very tip? Or further up?

You are right in not clipping the "pink" part. The answer to this question depends, of course, on how long the nails are. But cutting just the tip is a good way to start. More can always be taken if needed.

**OH Phred.....** Yoo Hoo, where is that picture diagram of the cat nail and where to clip ?.......

[Pam]

Great tutorial! I love the warning about the short shorts! LOL! At a glance it appeared to me that the models you used could have been Trevor and Andy but, upon closer inspection, the willingness to cooperate was a dead give away that it could not have possibly been them! LOL! I only attempt nail clipping when they are asleep. LOL!

[catcrazylady]

Great tutorial Jen!! I can use that on a couple of mine but a suit of armour would be required with most of them!

Great pictures Charlie!

[emily_the_spoiled]

Any suggestions for one who is trying to bite me as I try and clip his nails?

[kimlovescats]

Good job, great pics, Jen and Charlie!!! I also have some biters in my heard. Basically I just keep saying, Don't bite Mommy, and since my cats are so well behaved, they immediately stop!!!

[Randi]

Jen, I'm amazed how calm Lucas is sitting there in your lap, but we would never be able to that with Fister. I do it like Pam - when he's asleep, and only 2 or 3 at at time.

Fister has not even once been sitting in anyone's lap. However, I can pick up Pjevs who lives in in our yard and he'll get comfy in my lap.

Great pictures, Charlie!

[catmandu]

Your Cats,are very calm,certainly a lot calmer,tahn the Found Cats,tend to be!You,are a Marvellous Meowmie,to ahve them relax,like that!!!

[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??

Taken from a *Phunn* Thread started by
the State's Herd Wrangler - Johanna >>>

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

/s/ Phred
.

[Laura's Babies]

You know what? This was a great thread!! They say "One picture is worth a thousand words"... well, we got a bunch of pictures.. I am lucky to get their front ones clipped with my gang and have never attempted the back ones.. That would be dangerous with my gang!

[AmberLee]

TERRIFIC thread!

Thanks for the illustration on the 'hold the cat upside down'. I hate to tell you what my mental picture on that manuver had been... I thik I'm too literal sometimes.

Thanks again!

[ActionCat007]

You make it look so easy! thank you for the tutorial, it is very helpful.