Cat & nail clipping

[woodwaj]

Does anyone else have a lazy cat that wont file down their own nails? How often do you end up having to go to the vet to cut them? My trips seem to be getting more frequent, and I cant help but think the vets aren't cutting them as short as they used too!! My last visit was 6 weeks ago!

For home clipping - tuck him under your arm nice and secure and whilst sitting on sofa so he can't back up

At first clip one at a time and give treat after each, relaxing hold on the paw so he doesn't feel panicky

Mine now let me do all claws then sit waiting for treat. Good luck!!!!

If that fails wrap him in towel

Thanks Leela!

My sincere apologies for the declawing suggestion, I had no idea it is such a serious operation. That's me telt, thanks everyone.

I wouldn't have apologised. It's not like you kicked a kitten

I didn't know what it entailed until recently.

I feel quite sick that I suggested it though. I knew it was an American thing, had seen it recommended for indoor cats to stop them ruining the furniture, and always thought what a ridiculous idea it was; claws are a pretty fundamental part of "what a cat is" after all. The only argument I had seen against it was that it leaves a cat defenceless should s/he encounter aggression outdoors, and I thought that since this particular cat risks pain and suffering if his claws are not clipped, it might be an idea for him.

So thanks to all who have enlightened and informed me, and any others who come across this thread. I wonder why it's still legal and even routinely recommended in (some of the?) the States?

I do hope the OP can have success with the home-clipping ideas proffered by the better-informed, and that this wee cat can have a long and happy, pain-free life.

The wee cat is currently taking up the whole of my knee!! Although so is a baby bump!!

A friend of mine had to have 1 of her cats claws removed but it was because of a fight with another cat, so i know it can be done when necessary.

Claw caps ? Practical and sassssy

And what fun it must be gluing them on

OldLady you weren't to know! I only know because I work with animals

My American friends were shocked when I told them it's illegal here. Back home they said it's pretty common practice

I had a very recent argument with a bunch of Americans online about declawing. Man I got some abuse. I'm shocked about how common it is.

Given what I now know about the horrible consequences of declawing, how do they justify it? My sofa is tattered, my wallpaper torn, and in the past I've had my bed, curtains and other soft furnishings trashed by my various moggies (and my arm scratched by enthusiastic kittens!) but I've never considered it as an option. These things just go with cat-servitude.

They just have different ideas in general about animal welfare and I think attitudes take longer to change in a larger country. It's the country where Sea World has made a fortune out of capturing wild orcas for entertainment and people still keep lions, tigers and apes as pets.

There are folk in this country who still think pinioning birds without anaesthetic, chasing down foxes with dogs and using dog shock collars is ok. There's still a lot of cruelty here too.

True. Add in dogfighting, badger-baiting... :( We can be a nasty species at times.

Our beautiful ginger boy had been declawed by Americans before we'd adopted him. It's barbaric.

We saw a documentary - DP thinks it was Animal Rescue USA, where some Hollywood socialite had had her tiger (yes, tiger) declawed and de-balled. And even then she gave him away. I think she was protesting to the effect of "awww, I luffs him", and I don't remember if the commentator or DP said "do you treat all men the way you treat this cat?"

Just reminded me that when we adopted GingerBoy, he came with a letter from the previous owners (no doubt they who had de-clawed him) with all sorts of gushy shite about how much they love him. Made me want to hurl.

Given what I now know about the horrible consequences of declawing, how do they justify it?

This is a country where it is normal to trim the ears of boxer dogs and have what remains stuck to a 'crown' so they stick up.

And don't get me started on circumcisn

It's like pinning Doberman ears so they stand up or docking tales on puppies & lambs.

Quite like the claw caps though. You could do red for special occasions, black for mourning & pink for the weekends when you want to be casual but groomed.