Hi everyone,
I would like to find out how do you all cut the nails of your Ragdolls, esp kittens, and the best practices/tips/tricks in doing this..
Questions :-
>> Do they struggle during nail clipping time? What is the best method to restrain them? As you all know, kittens are soo hyper active.. They will rarely sit down still for long..
>> Where do you place your kitten when nail cutting? On the grooming table?
>> Do you just cut the front paws' nails, or all the 4 paws' nails?
>> Is there a need to file the nails after cutting?
Sorry to bombard soo many questions in one thread...
I have never cut the nails of a kitten before.. Although Margaret told me it is very easy, but, to me, it is still a quite challenging thing to do...
Would appreciate any responses or tips/tricks for nail cutting...
I do it the easy way. I take them to our vet's daily clinic which does nails for 5.00 and to me that is better than me trying to figure it out or hurting them.
Leo is a good boy and will just sit still and let me do them. For Dexter I have to do it when he's laying down and sleepy. Then he doesn't struggle at all. He's getting much better than when I first got him!
Cut the nails on all four paws. I find with Dexter he needs his front ones cut more often because they get super sharp from him sharpening them on his post. Good luck
Oh, and I've never tried to file my cats nails.. Not sure if there is a need for it?!
I was always afraid to cut the dogs nails and bought all types of little clippers for the cats. Turns out it is easy to cut their nails. I wait until they are sleepy, push down on their paw which pops the nail out. I just cut off the sharp part. I found mens toenail clippers to be the easiest tool to cut with. Once you get over the first time fear, it's very easy. I know there is a link that JanH recommends regarding cutting nails in one of the old, old posts. Good luck
Thks for the fast responses!
Paula : I have already checked, my local vets also provide services like nail cutting, ear cleaning, teeth cleaning.. I am wondering whether should I do that too, mabe for the first few times...
But, in long term, I guess it will be cheaper if I can learn how to do it myself...
Lindz : You are sooo lucky... Hehehe... I also hope that my boys will be like Dexter/Leo when it comes to nail cutting... I think I will be feeling more stressed than my boys... LOL..
Judy : Good idea! I will try and cut their nails while they are feeling sleepy... Hopefully, I can do it.. Wish me luck! I need lots of luck.... Haha..
I wait for my kids to be sleepy or wake them up when there sleeping.
Followed by treat.
Couldn't find Jan's video but this one gives you an idea
don;t forget the dew claws there are 2 of them located on the two front paws on the inside and up a little and yes all four paws.
http://www.howcast.com/videos/171868-How...erSmithcom
Just start by practicing playing with their feet. Get the claws to stick out and kindof pinch them with your fingers to get them used to feeling pressure around that area. With enough handling, once you really trim them they will already be used to the idea.
Hi Wilson
We do it when the cat/kitten is a little tired so they're not as hyper. I get my hubby to sit on the couch, and hold the cat/kitten like a little child (sit on their bum and belly facing outside) and hold them by their "arms". I then squeeze their paw a little, so that the nails will stick out, and just trim off the tip (be careful not to cut into the pink bits because otherwise it'll bleed really bad and it takes forever for the bleeding to stop). We cut all four paws and don't file.
And yes, followed by treats is a great idea!
We cut their nails once a week or every two weeks depending on how they look. If you get them used to this when they're still a kitten, it'll be easier when they reach adulthood.
Hope this helps a little
Linda : Thks sooo much for the video link! A video is much easier to understand for a newbie like me... You are such an angel!
I wonder where is our JanH... Seems like she is missing in action for a while... Never see her responded to any of my posts..
Solo : Good idea! Thks for the tips! I tried to press their paws just now after their dinner while they were busy grooming themselves... They let me press the paws, revealing their nails... Yes, finally I saw their tiny little nails, for the 1st time... They look soo small... My goodness!
Agnes : Thks for the detailed description... I will try to follow your instructions.. The only problem is I am a single parent (I mean to the kittens).. So, I dun have anyone to help me.. Hehehe.. I guess I will have to rely on myself...
One question ==> The nail cutter I bought from the pet shop is relatively BIG as compared to the kittens' tiny nails.. Do you use the commercial nail cutter? Or do you use human nail clipper?
Thks alot!!
You all are very helpful!
(12-08-2009 09:23 AM)WilsonG Wrote: [ -> ]Linda : Thks sooo much for the video link! A video is much easier to understand for a newbie like me... You are such an angel! I wonder where is our JanH... Seems like she is missing in action for a while... Never see her responded to any of my posts..
Solo : Good idea! Thks for the tips! I tried to press their paws just now after their dinner while they were busy grooming themselves... They let me press the paws, revealing their nails... Yes, finally I saw their tiny little nails, for the 1st time... They look soo small... My goodness!
Agnes : Thks for the detailed description... I will try to follow your instructions.. The only problem is I am a single parent (I mean to the kittens).. So, I dun have anyone to help me.. Hehehe.. I guess I will have to rely on myself...
One question ==> The nail cutter I bought from the pet shop is relatively BIG as compared to the kittens' tiny nails.. Do you use the commercial nail cutter? Or do you use human nail clipper? Thks alot!! You all are very helpful!
Wilson, I use open end clippers not the guillotine ones.If you have human clippers that would great also.
Maybe Jan has a stupped Dell laptop like me and it keeps breaking.
Or should I say the Geeks dont ever fix it right.
