Sensitive Back Paws?

[MyJezebel]

Jezebel cries whenever I attempt to clean her back paws and nails. She is fine when I clean the front two, but not a happy camper when I try to do the back two. I was wondering if something is wrong with her, or if this is common with Sphynx kitties? I'm using baby wipes and trying to be as gentle as possible. Her crying just breaks my heart. Any feedback and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Inferno12]

Johnny does this with all four paws. Its almost like there is acid on the baby wipes! I dont know about it just being the back feet. I think its just a way for your kitty to voice their unhappiness

 

[Jocy24]

I definetly have noticed that my 3 sphynxes protest more when I clean their back paws and less or not at all when I clean their front paws. I tell them that if they'd do a better job cleaning themselves I wouldn't have to do it. They cry less as they get older and more used to it, however.

 

[MyJezebel]

Thanks guys. It makes me feel a bit better to know that what she's doing is not abnormal. There's nothing physically wrong with her back paws that I can see, but I was going to have the vet look at them at her next visit any way. For now I'll just chalk it up to her being a bit of a drama queen.

 

[LLevenson]

Arias does the same thing when it comes time for his back nails to be trimmed/cleaned! While I do the front ones, he sleeps, but as soon as I touch the back paws he gets all out of sorts.

I don't know where I heard/read/saw this but this made since to me: that cat's back legs are their defense mechanism....If they get into trouble, they use them to jump, run, climb, and if you've ever seen a cat being attacked, they go onto their back and use their BACK legs to defend themselves. So once you grab hold of their back paws to clean, they feel distressed b/c you are basically rendering them defenseless (even though they aren't scared of you and trust you, it's a biological thing). Like I said, I can't remember where I found this info, but it totally makes sense as to why they don't like their back paws messed with. And Arias' back nails are always A LOT dirtier than the front ones so it takes me a bit longer!

I have found that if I sit Arias up a bit so he can see what is being done he is more calm. And I wrap him in the towel so he can't squirm as much. AND my hubby felt like Arias' boy parts were "too exposed" so he suggested I make sure that there is some towel b/w his back legs to cover his boy bits (kinda like a diaper, where the legs stick out the sides). I know this sounds funny but it actually helped! My hubby told me that no man would be able to relax with his boy bits exposed and his legs rendered useless. I told him, "now you see what it's like whenever a WOMAN has to go to the doctor! he could still only empathize with the cat, alas....

 

[Bella07]

Like I said, I can't remember where I found this info, but it totally makes sense as to why they I told him, "now you see what it's like whenever a WOMAN has to go to the doctor! he could still only empathize with the cat, alas....

That is too funny!

 

[ilovemysphynx]

Ours complain sometimes when I clean and clip their back paws I think the way they have to lay on my lap is not comfortable and the front legs are more flexible then the back so that could be it to.

 

[ckutkuhn7]

Snuffie complains only when I "clean" her back paws and I've found that using human clippers has helped tremendously with her being anxious over getting her nails clipped. I did them the other day and she didn't even sqwak once. I was shocked. lol

SoBe,,I haven't really been able to phase her with getting nails done,,she doesn't care. We can do anything to her,,she only fusses when given a bath and by the end of her bath I've been able to get her to quit crying so I'm sure its only a matter of time before she quits crying over that as well.