Tips for Trimming a Wiggly Cat’s Claws by Yourself
Last Updated on May 24, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin
Nail trims on wiggly cats are my stock-in-trade as a housecall cat groomer. If you want to trim your cat’s nails alone it will be easiest if you start training him when he’s a kitten. But if you adopted an adult cat, you can still learn to trim your wiggly cat’s claws yourself without resorting to restraints like cat bags or scruffing.
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Why Clip a Cat’s Claws
Kitty’s claws keep growing the same way your fingernails do. A cat that spends a lot of time outside might not need help maintaining his claws. Indoor kitties will try to do the same on your furniture and carpet.
Regular claw clipping not only helps prevent destructive clawing, but also prevents Kitty’s nails from getting snagged and torn on anything. It will save your arms and lap from an unexpected course of acupuncture when Kitty cuddles up and starts making biscuits.
Nail trimming gives you an opportunity to check over your furbaby’s paws and claws for signs of any health issues.
How to Safely Trim the Claws on a Wiggly Cat
I have to get through all the claws when I do a client visit. When you trim your own wiggly cat’s claws it is perfectly fine if you only do one or two claws at a time. It is better for Kitty to stay relaxed than to have a “get it done” mentality.
- Start with a relaxed kitty. I like to get mine when they are snoozing after a meal. Playtime and catnip can help get Kitty relaxed too.
- Sit behind Kitty so if he backs up to get away from the clippers he is just backing further into your lap.
- Press lightly on the pad so the claws appear and trim off the tip of the nail.
- Give Kitty his favorite treat. I like to have something very high value to use as a treat that my cats only get as rewards for grooming.
What Part of the Claw to Clip?
If you think of your finger as your cat’s claw, form a “C” with your thumb and forefinger. Your forefinger is your imaginary claw. The part you’d be clipping off is just past the first knuckle, the top part of the “C”. The “quick” or live part would run between your hand and the center knuckle. If you look at your cat’s claw the quick is the pinkish part.
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Tools and Tricks for Handling a Difficult Cat
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There are some techniques and tools to try if you have an aggressive cat that is likely to bite you.
Some cats respond well to being “burrito’d” in a towel while others freak out when restrained that way. Some people recommend “cat grooming bags.” Personally, I have found that they really don’t help. A lot of cats are more stressed by being stuck in the sack than just handled on your lap. The bags can’t prevent a cat from biting you and that is my main concern when doing a nail trim on a challenging cat.
A lot of cats are visually overstimulated by claw clipping. If you cover his head with a towel or the corner of your sweater, he may relax enough for you to clip his nails alone.
An e-collar (cone of shame) or an inflatable donut style collar can allow that Kitty to see and move but not reach around to bite you. A cat muzzle is another option for biters that do better if they can’t see you.
I am not a fan of scruffing cats. It is not relaxing for them, they freeze in fear. Yes, mother cats carry their kittens that way, but adult cats are only handled in that way by predators or aggressors. Instead, take the time to train your cat to allow gentle handling and cooperate with grooming or other procedures. Your vet will thank you too.
Training Steps to Help Your Squirmy Cat Tolerate Nail Trims
It is important to teach your cat to relax and tolerate having his nailed trimmed.
- Get her used to having her paws handled and massaged. Just play with them while she’s hanging out with you.
- A gentle press on her paw pad and the top of the paw will extend her claws.
- Let her explore the clippers so she doesn’t see them as threatening.
- Clip a piece of spaghetti or a straw so she gets used to the noise of the clipper.
- Give her a favorite treat.
Types of cat nail clippers
There are three options for clippers:
- guillotine style
- scissor style
- human nail clippers
Personally, I like the scissor style. I carry small cat nail trimmers in all my bags. My go-to nail trimmer, especially for wiggly cats and cats with lots of fur on their paws, is a bit larger than the small ones. I like not having to stick fingers through the finger holes.
Summary
With proper conditioning, it is easy to clip even the most wiggly cat’s claws alone. But if you can’t do it yourself and don’t have a friend willing to assist, check with your vet’s office or call a cat groomer. The most important thing is that Kitty’s claws are kept in good shape.
For more in my grooming guides series:
