where did I go wrong?

[waterflow]

The training of the cats did not go as I had planned. None will hold still to have their nails cut. They fight, scratch and bite. Then the mother I know wants to run outside by herself but she can't until she gets fixed. (I'm still waiting for the paper work to go through for that program). I take her for walks at least 1/2 hour long but she doesn't want to come back in so I have to carry her. She started throwing a tantrum last time half scratching, biting and doing that mad cat sound. Then this morning while carrying her she wanted down but I ddin't move fast enough for her so she scratched me on the side of my face and got me 3 times on my one eye lid. I won't take her out for a walk again and won't pick her up unless I have to. Are cats like this??? I thought the kittens would grow up being used to having their nails cut and behave but they even turn into little monsters. Maybe I was too nice to them while growing up? I will say my cat fear has stayed in tact well. I didn't freak out any of those times. In too much pain to have that happen. :rolleyes:

[traceann]

HI!!!!!!!!!! :)

You didn't go wrong anywhere, lol. Just must be going through their unruly winter boredom moods - not very many critters outside for Kitty TV etc. Most likely their boredom has turned into Grammy's nightmare ;)

And I have never been able to clip my kids claws ever - shoot, Missy won't even let me clean her ears, sheesh. But now my inlaws have no trouble clipping Michelin's claws - go figure! (He was named Michelin because when they found him as a kitten, somehow he'd managed to stow away on the spare tire of their Tahoe! They have no idea how long he'd ridden there, they stopped at McDonald's, heard a kitten mewing and found him on the spare!)

You're doing just fine, remember I have had 6 at one time as well, and you're doing fine...patience grasshopper, patience ;)

[SandyRN]

They sound like normal, moody cats to me!!! Don't fret, all 5 of mine have their 'moments'!!! It's really ok, this is just cats. One minute all is right with the world, they love having their belly scratched, will sit still, then the next they're trying to claw the dog's eyes out or MY eyes out. Cats aren't like dogs...they don't like having their nails clipped. Now you see why I was surprised you'd been able to walk them! You did good, this is just a typical cat response. She might be in heat and this changes them for the worse. She NEEDS to go out. My cats used to do the same thing. They wanted out and it didn't matter if there was a hurricane out there, they wanted OUT NOW! They didn't GET to go out though, not til they were fixed.

Don't be upset. Cats are typically bipolar! :lmao:

[CaliAnn]

hehehe... your post made me chuckle :)

When I first got my cat, he didn't let me either. The trick is to start sloooow. Start by just holding their paws and rubbing them between the pads. When they start letting you do that, then start by doing just one nail .. then go from there. It took us about a month, but now he lets us do anything we want with him, including baths :)

[ICNDonna]

I didn't know you were supposed to clip cats' claws! I thought it was their self defense mechanism. I clip our dog but if her nails get too long, it effects the way she walks. I hope the "fixing" is going to happen soon. It won't be too many months before your cats will begin to breed each other and you could have a lot of kittens on your hands.

Donna

[traceann]

I had a friend, who like CaliAnn could bathe her kitty - and even let her blow-dry her!!! Now that amazed the heck out of me! LOL

Yeah Donna, if you do it, you're supposed to take the little pointy tip part off, kind of dull it down keeps them from get stuck on the carpet or furniture, then panic and yank themselves free ha ha ha :) - but yet they still have their strong claws for defense purposes etc. Kinda makes the front ones like their back ones. ;) Since Missy doesn't always comply, it doesn't always get done.... :)

[Billsbaby]

i'm with donna,i've had cats all my life and i have 2 right now,and i've never clipped their nails!! they have their posts that they sharpen their claws on,and thats about it.none of my cats ever had problems from me not clipping their nails.as for walking them on a leash,just be proud you actually do it.cats are not animals that get walked on leashes,their more the type to keep to theirselves,not like dogs who need to be walked.my cats are pretty simple,they eat,go to the bathroom,and then sleep all day,unless their snuggling on my lap,thats pretty much all cats do!!!good luck to ya....jamie