Ram refuses to have his nails trimmed

[Sue-Ram]

Prior to Ram's knee surgery he was the epitome of easy going with respect to having his nails trimmed. But now there's no way he'll let anybody do it.

The physical therapist has tried a couple of times and a groomer that we have always used has tried. Yesterday I tried again when we were at PetSmart. I asked the groomer to give him a brush out first and then do the nails but again no way. While I was walking around the store and paying for cat food I could hear him barking all the way at the front of the store, and he's not a barker. After about 15 minutes of struggling and barking she had only been able to trim two of his nails so I told her to forget it because he has getting too stressed.

Any ideas how I can get his nails trimmed?

[Jeff]

Can you make it a game? It will take a while, but make it all part of a game somehow, clip one nail. Play the game some more, clip one. Hemi hates having his nail done so we have done a game where tug pull tug pin him down, clip, Oh heck what was that he takes off running. Come back I am sitting there with the toy, he starts playing again. However this also lends into Hemi's play style after some tugging he will roll over on his back with the toy.

He didn't mind when he was a pup, but as an adult he just hates it. I also sometime just get a handful of treats, really super yummy ones. Then the clippers I set both on the edge of the couch. Of course he is on the other side of the room. Staring at me, the treats, the clippers. Then I sit there reading a book. He will get up come over slowly, I set the book down grab the clippers. He pauses, sometimes he goes back to think about it. I wave the treats in the air, blow the scent his way. You can see his nose picking up on it. I pick up the book keep reading until finally he comes over and is like ok lets get this done. When he is done, big party, lots of treats and butt tucking and fun. I make it his choice to get it done here. I don't force him, I let him decide. He can't resist the treats though and they eventually win.

[SunDance]

See if he'll let you take an emery board to his nails. If that goes well, I'd suggest getting a good metal medium/coarse toenail-type human file (I finish off with a glass file to get things smooth and prevent splitting).

I do the dogs' nails every morning, after our walk. It takes only a few swipes for each nail and the dogs definitely prefer this to a clipper. And I don't have to be scared of cutting the quick.

[Sue-Ram]

I did try treats once with him but I was nowhere near as patient. I'll have to give it another try. If I can't use the clippers, I will try the emery board. One of my cats loves having his nails filed.

[Snowshoe]

I'm thinking either his knee still hurts or he remembers when it did hurt. I can imagine it hurt(s) to lift and/or stand on the sore leg. I bet even weight shift on the front legs could impact a sore back leg. Of course I'm assuming he stands when you do his nails.

So, what about nail trimming with him lying down? For some time, for some strange reason, I could only do Oban's front feet when he was lying on his back. I'd try a different place too, not a place he really likes for fear of spoiling it for him. Or, heck, maybe a favourite place, like your bed, would help? In the middle of a walk?

Some Rescue Remedy or DAP?

Clicker training? But I think I'd try it in a different position and new place too.

[Sue-Ram]

When I try the treats again I'll make sure that he's lying down.

[sparky]

When Crafther files her nails Mocha has to see what she's doing. She will take his paw and "file" his nails. Perhaps you can try that on a limited basis.

[Maxx&Emma]

Have you tried a dremel? I do think it would be helpful to have him laying down. I had ACL surgery on both of my knees years ago and my knees still ache often and really hurt sometimes. Poor guy, I imagine he is still a bit sore and just a slight twinge may remind remind him of the pain from injury and post-surgical.

I do know the frustration of a dog that hates their nails trimmed regardless of the method. It takes 3 of us to do Emma and she does not let you forget the "insult" for a while!

[Jeff]

I did try treats once with him but I was nowhere near as patient. I'll have to give it another try. If I can't use the clippers, I will try the emery board. One of my cats loves having his nails filed.

Oh it can take me 20-30 minutes before the desire for treats overrides the clippers. Hence a good book or magazine. Sometimes I have to put a leash on him too that way he doesn't leave the room. Sometimes the desire for treats gets too much he will leave the room rather than face and smell the treats. Like an alcoholic removing himself from a bar before it gets too much. Then also like snowshoe said, I always do his lying down. Then me also laying gently on top of him so he can't get up and flee. You know resting on knees and elbows. I put the treats on the floor right in front of him, but out of reach. He sits there calmly staring at them while I trim away and I work fast so as not to delay it any longer. Hopefully some day he realizes the longest delay is him. This also works best before supper not after when he is hungrier.

Oh and I am silent until the clipping begins then I talk to Hemi the entire time telling him what a good boy he is and so on. Sometimes when i got nothing to say I make bugs bunny voices like when Bug Bunny was a beautician in the cartoons. Doggies, lead such Innnnteresting Lives. This helps keep his mind off it.

[Blackboy98]

I think Snowshoe has it right. I grind Gabe's nail and last fall went too deep on two of his front ones and he went crazy. Since then he has been impossible and before he was great with no problems. I called his vet and she said that is very common to go from very ease to no way. She prescribed a light sedative they give before they give the strong stuff to do like an operation.

It is Acepromazine 25mg. I give him one, wait about an hour and he is so much easier. The best part of this sedative is that it wears off fairly quickly. Also, giving a sedative takes the stress out of the event both for Gabe and ME. I just hate to do anything that causes anxiety for either of us and this stuff works great.


You may want to ask your vet about it and maybe you can get just a few pills and try it for several trimmings to see if you like it.