Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: dolcetta46 on October 16, 2007, 11:02:28 AM

Title: Knead training???
Post by: dolcetta46 on October 16, 2007, 11:02:28 AM
Okay, it is cute and he means well so I don't want to discourage or punish him... BUT IT HURTS!!! :doh:  Hobbes had the manners to keep his claws in while he kneaded on me, but Oliver does it with claws all out, on my bare skin!!  Has anyone dealt with this problem?  Is there any way I can gently train him to do the kneading with claws in? :Crazy: :( :Crazy:
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: puddypaws on October 16, 2007, 11:07:45 AM
Our last cat Sid seemed totally oblvious as to whether his claws were in or out.  He was the sweetest little soul you could imagine but I was forever getting caught.  He used to look so surprised when I yelled.  I'm afraid he never really learnt not to do it but a gentle tap on the paw sometimes helped.  Just buy some Savlon :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: hOrZa on October 16, 2007, 11:09:16 AM
Or long sleeve shirts :)
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: sheryl on October 16, 2007, 11:14:31 AM
Our babies have their claws clipped every 2 weeks - my back looked like i had been trough a shredder from the Benglies running up it, that really hurts.
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: dolcetta46 on October 16, 2007, 11:19:17 AM
Nail clipping... hmmm, I also heard of some nail caps too, but I am not sure how I could go about accomplishing that, as sweet as he is he can get quite frisky when he feels he is being messed about!! :Crazy:
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on October 16, 2007, 13:32:38 PM
Nail clipping... hmmm, I also heard of some nail caps too, but I am not sure how I could go about accomplishing that, as sweet as he is he can get quite frisky when he feels he is being messed about!! :Crazy:

No caps... if they're the ones I'm thinking of, it looks unbearably cruel.  Clip the claws (says she who has to wait for Lexy to be asleep before she can clip one!). Or gently tap his paw to retract claws when he does. He will keep doing it. Or you just need to get used to it ;)
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: Mark on October 16, 2007, 13:42:30 PM
kylie has never learned that my leg is not made of the same stuff as a sofa  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: dolcetta46 on October 16, 2007, 13:42:38 PM
Thanks Ruth, the cap I had heard of is something like this, http://www.softpaws.com/about.html (http://www.softpaws.com/about.html) 
It does seem too convenient rather for humans and not for the kitties, despite all that they say...  I shall start trying with the tapping and see how it goes!!
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: dolcetta46 on October 16, 2007, 13:44:44 PM
kylie has never learned that my leg is not made of the same stuff as a sofa  :evillaugh:

Yip Ollie has that learning issue too especially when he gets hungry and demands his din din :Crazy:... fortunately now the weather is cooler I have long trousers on, that helps a wee bit!!
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: Mark on October 16, 2007, 13:48:12 PM
Thanks Ruth, the cap I had heard of is something like this, http://www.softpaws.com/about.html (http://www.softpaws.com/about.html) 
It does seem too convenient rather for humans and not for the kitties, despite all that they say...  I shall start trying with the tapping and see how it goes!!

Ok its not barbaric like declawing but still unnatural  >:( - a cat couldn't defend itself, groom or scratch itself properly or run up a fece (or curtains  :evillaugh: )
with them on  :Crazy:
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on October 16, 2007, 13:52:06 PM
You still need to trim the claws before you put the softpaws on  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: Tan on October 16, 2007, 14:28:11 PM
Ochi used to kneed at me neck with his claws out awwwwch!! Little monster  :Luv: but i would give anything for him back to do that again. 

I would def rather clip claws regualry than use a cap. I would worry these soft paws would make the actual claw grow badly or weeken them. It must be simular to the false nails we can have and i know they make your own soft and they can get ripped off your finger.  :-: :scared:
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: alisonandarchie on October 16, 2007, 14:40:30 PM
Parki my permanent visitor likes to sit on my lap and knead away. I am often covered in red marks as her claws are sharp. :Luv:
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: dolcetta46 on October 16, 2007, 14:43:04 PM
Is there a certain technique to get them to stay still/calm down while you do your business?  It's a risky area to deal with while the boy is wiggling about, and I am afraid of hurting him not to mention hurting myself :Crazy:
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on October 16, 2007, 16:44:15 PM
I taught the boys to retract their claws by gentle squeezing the paw so that the claws automatically retract and at the same time repeating 'gentle'.  If the claws do come out all I have to say is gentle and they put them away.  Does Oliver mind you touching his feet?  If not start by handling his feet while he is laying down and relaxed, then move onto squeezing the pads so the pads so the claws come out and finally clip the claws.... see, easy peasy  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Knead training???
Post by: dolcetta46 on October 17, 2007, 11:15:08 AM
Thanks Helen for the advice!!  Yes he let me handle his paws when he is calm enough, not in that playful crazy mode.  I often hold his paws when he takes a nap in my arms.  And of course when he kneads, he is usually calm and peaceful, so I will give it a try!! (but then again, his mood can swing 180° in a split second... :Crazy:) Thanks!!