I got a shelter kitten at 5 months old. She’s now 6 months, never had her nails clipped so they’re like needles, & she bites & claws when I touch her paws even after 2 Gabapentin capsules the vet prescribed to calm her. Also, can’t get her in the carrier. She was never socialized or fostered. Please help!
Hi Patricia
I wanted to congratulate you on your recent kitten adoption. As someone who adopted a shelter kitten, I understand the challenges of socializing them.
Gradually, get your kitten accustomed to touching her paw through positive association. Offer her food or treats while you touch her paw gently for 3 seconds at a time. Once she is used to having her paws touched, retract her nails and reward with a treat each session. You can also introduce target training to get her used to paw touching. Here are a few videos to help you with the process: Helping your cat accept having its paws checked and its claws clipped – video | International Cat Care (icatcare.org) and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjLBG9wsaAo .
Most cats in a shelter setting have been either trapped or transported in a carrier from one location to another. Many cats associate the carrier with a negative or traumatic experience. To combat that, purchase a new carrier. Ideally, a plastic one contains both a top and a front opening. The roof should include an entry/exit as an alternate for kittens who are timid or aren’t comfortable with voluntary exit, allowing for minimal distress. Once your carrier arrives, start the carrier training as noted in this article: https://cats.com/how-to-get-a-cat-into-a-carrier.
Remember that it can take up to six months for your kitten to be comfortable with paw handling and carrier training. Be patient and consistent with your training.
If you need further help, feel free to contact me.
All the best,
Melina