My cats also act like I am killing them everytime I do it. I dont trim anymore (staying with my parents) because they need their sharp claws incase a cat fight persues. But they do act like wild things when I used to do it. I used to use a leash, and put it under each arm to hold them still. I would position them under my arm so that they couldnt really move. (such a big torturer here) lol I have done it since they were 5 weeks, and to this day, they still hate it. So no advice here. But it is normal to get bitten and clawed to death, and they ALWAYS scream, because they want to. I am sure it doesnt hurt them, but they like to think it does