Proper way to hold a cat

Two weeks ago my wife and I adopted a 6 month old Calico female kitten
from a local animal shelter. She is adjusting very well and is not
causing any problems.

It is time to trim her claws and we don't know how to properly hold her
while doing so. She is still shy but no longer afraid of us. Actually
yeasterday she jumped onto the couch and sat with us for 15min. But she
is still adjusting and whenever we pick her up ourselves, and place on
the couch, she slowly walks away after ~30 seconds.

When we had her de-wormed last week, the doctor held her in such a way
that she wasn't squirmy nor did seem afraid. It looked like she was held
by the skin on the back of her neck and also a hand was placed on her
back. I've read that cats shouldn't be restrained and I'm wondering what
is the best way to hold her (like her mother would) so that she is
compliant and not afraid when trimming her claws.

Thanks,

Michal

"Michal Sabala" wrote in message
...
Two weeks ago my wife and I adopted a 6 month old Calico female kitten
from a local animal shelter. She is adjusting very well and is not
causing any problems.

It is time to trim her claws and we don't know how to properly hold her
while doing so. She is still shy but no longer afraid of us. Actually
yeasterday she jumped onto the couch and sat with us for 15min. But she
is still adjusting and whenever we pick her up ourselves, and place on
the couch, she slowly walks away after ~30 seconds.

When we had her de-wormed last week, the doctor held her in such a way
that she wasn't squirmy nor did seem afraid. It looked like she was held
by the skin on the back of her neck and also a hand was placed on her
back. I've read that cats shouldn't be restrained and I'm wondering what
is the best way to hold her (like her mother would) so that she is
compliant and not afraid when trimming her claws.

Thanks,

Michal

When it's time to trim the nails or brush the teeth, I sit my Calico girl on
my lap like a baby with her back to my chest. Claw trimmers or tooth brush
in the left hand (I'm a South paw), a paw or a jaw in the right.

Before bringing out the trimmers, spend some time getting her used to
sitting in this position and as well at extending the claws. It may take
some time for her to become comfortable with this and you as well. I know
all cats aren't the same, some can never be convinced that having their
nails trimmed isn't torture, but when it comes to Calicos, I'm on #2, I
believe they can be convinced with firm but gentle ways. :c)

It took a bit of time to get them used to it, but when they became used to
it, it just became another part of the routine.

"Michal Sabala" wrote in message
...
Two weeks ago my wife and I adopted a 6 month old Calico female kitten
from a local animal shelter. She is adjusting very well and is not
causing any problems.

It is time to trim her claws and we don't know how to properly hold her
while doing so. She is still shy but no longer afraid of us. Actually
yeasterday she jumped onto the couch and sat with us for 15min. But she
is still adjusting and whenever we pick her up ourselves, and place on
the couch, she slowly walks away after ~30 seconds.

When we had her de-wormed last week, the doctor held her in such a way
that she wasn't squirmy nor did seem afraid. It looked like she was held
by the skin on the back of her neck and also a hand was placed on her
back. I've read that cats shouldn't be restrained and I'm wondering what
is the best way to hold her (like her mother would) so that she is
compliant and not afraid when trimming her claws.

Thanks,

Michal

When it's time to trim the nails or brush the teeth, I sit my Calico girl on
my lap like a baby with her back to my chest. Claw trimmers or tooth brush
in the left hand (I'm a South paw), a paw or a jaw in the right.

Before bringing out the trimmers, spend some time getting her used to
sitting in this position and as well at extending the claws. It may take
some time for her to become comfortable with this and you as well. I know
all cats aren't the same, some can never be convinced that having their
nails trimmed isn't torture, but when it comes to Calicos, I'm on #2, I
believe they can be convinced with firm but gentle ways. :c)

It took a bit of time to get them used to it, but when they became used to
it, it just became another part of the routine.

Someone needs to show you first how to do this. If you cut the nail to
close it will bleed and as you've said you've just gained your cats
trust the last thing you want to do is hurt her by accident.

It's very hard to discribe correctly how it should be done, you really
need to be shown the first time and then from then on you'll be able to
do it yourself.

Ask the vet if you can make an appoint just to see a nurse for this you
don't need to pay a Vet to show you this the staff should be able to and
possibly not even charge for it.

Someone needs to show you first how to do this. If you cut the nail to
close it will bleed and as you've said you've just gained your cats
trust the last thing you want to do is hurt her by accident.

It's very hard to discribe correctly how it should be done, you really
need to be shown the first time and then from then on you'll be able to
do it yourself.

Ask the vet if you can make an appoint just to see a nurse for this you
don't need to pay a Vet to show you this the staff should be able to and
possibly not even charge for it.

This is not a reply about how to hold her but it may be helpful to
know some things about how to decrease her fear about having her nails
trimmed.

Cats naturally have a sensitivity of sorts about having their paws
touched so you should get her used to this. Touch her paws and gently
squeeze them to extend the claws. Do this frequently so she gets used
to it and will not associate it always with having her nails trimmed.
Kind of like how whenever you pet her, you sort of pay attention to
her paws as well so she eventually loses that sensitivity and doesn't
think you touching her paws is any big deal.

Also, once she is getting used to the idea of having her paws touched,
start to get her used to the idea of the nail clippers themselves.
Bring them close to her and even touch them to her paws and to her
nails without even trying to clip them yet. This will help her
realize, once again, that the nail clippers themselves are nothing to
be afraid of and she will be less nervous then when you sit her down,
touch her paws and bring the nail clippers out.

It will take a little bit of time and some patience and persistance
but the payoff will be well worth it. A cat who accepts the nail
clipping with nary a notice.

You may want to start off clipping one per day, also, once you finally
do start. This could be a whole lot easier on both of you to do it
daily with only one nail than to try to do them all at once less
frequently. Some cats even will allow you to trim their nails while
they sleep and if yours is one of those, you'll have it made!

Good luck to you!

~~ Dianne

This is not a reply about how to hold her but it may be helpful to
know some things about how to decrease her fear about having her nails
trimmed.

Cats naturally have a sensitivity of sorts about having their paws
touched so you should get her used to this. Touch her paws and gently
squeeze them to extend the claws. Do this frequently so she gets used
to it and will not associate it always with having her nails trimmed.
Kind of like how whenever you pet her, you sort of pay attention to
her paws as well so she eventually loses that sensitivity and doesn't
think you touching her paws is any big deal.

Also, once she is getting used to the idea of having her paws touched,
start to get her used to the idea of the nail clippers themselves.
Bring them close to her and even touch them to her paws and to her
nails without even trying to clip them yet. This will help her
realize, once again, that the nail clippers themselves are nothing to
be afraid of and she will be less nervous then when you sit her down,
touch her paws and bring the nail clippers out.

It will take a little bit of time and some patience and persistance
but the payoff will be well worth it. A cat who accepts the nail
clipping with nary a notice.

You may want to start off clipping one per day, also, once you finally
do start. This could be a whole lot easier on both of you to do it
daily with only one nail than to try to do them all at once less
frequently. Some cats even will allow you to trim their nails while
they sleep and if yours is one of those, you'll have it made!

Good luck to you!

~~ Dianne

Willows wrote in message ...
Someone needs to show you first how to do this. If you cut the nail to
close it will bleed and as you've said you've just gained your cats
trust the last thing you want to do is hurt her by accident.


When they declaw, they put the cat to sleep, and it never knows who
did what. Ours never did.


It's very hard to discribe correctly how it should be done, you really
need to be shown the first time and then from then on you'll be able to
do it yourself.



Are you free tomorrow at three? I'll show you how it's done.


Ask the vet if you can make an appoint just to see a nurse for this you
don't need to pay a Vet to show you this the staff should be able to and
possibly not even charge for it.

Oh, that was REAL informative.

Willows wrote in message ...
Someone needs to show you first how to do this. If you cut the nail to
close it will bleed and as you've said you've just gained your cats
trust the last thing you want to do is hurt her by accident.


When they declaw, they put the cat to sleep, and it never knows who
did what. Ours never did.


It's very hard to discribe correctly how it should be done, you really
need to be shown the first time and then from then on you'll be able to
do it yourself.



Are you free tomorrow at three? I'll show you how it's done.


Ask the vet if you can make an appoint just to see a nurse for this you
don't need to pay a Vet to show you this the staff should be able to and
possibly not even charge for it.

Oh, that was REAL informative.

"Michal Sabala" wrote in message
...
Two weeks ago my wife and I adopted a 6 month old Calico female kitten
from a local animal shelter. She is adjusting very well and is not
causing any problems.

It is time to trim her claws and we don't know how to properly hold her
while doing so. She is still shy but no longer afraid of us. Actually
yeasterday she jumped onto the couch and sat with us for 15min. But she
is still adjusting and whenever we pick her up ourselves, and place on
the couch, she slowly walks away after ~30 seconds.

When we had her de-wormed last week, the doctor held her in such a way
that she wasn't squirmy nor did seem afraid. It looked like she was held
by the skin on the back of her neck and also a hand was placed on her
back. I've read that cats shouldn't be restrained and I'm wondering what
is the best way to hold her (like her mother would) so that she is
compliant and not afraid when trimming her claws.

Thanks,

Michal

If you only adopted her two weeks ago, you could still call the shelter or
go in and ask them to show you on a cat still there. My semi-feral foster
cat was adopted a few months ago, and I sat down with the woman who adopted
her and both showed her how to do it and had her try a couple of claws.
Shelter workers usually have pets themselves and know a lot of tricks for
getting a cat to sit still. They can also show you how to properly scruff
(which has more to do with that being how mama cat carries her kittens
around). If you're uncertain, call ahead and ask if it's possible to arrange
just a five or ten minute sorta thing.