Recommendations on cat holster

[Amy SF]

Many years ago, on behalf of an elderly neighbor who was uncomfortable with the idea of internet shopping, I placed an online order for a cat holster for my neighbor to place her cat into when grooming her cat (clipping claws, mainly). For some reason, even though I had cats of my own, it didn't occur to me then to order another one for myself. This holster was advertised on the website as something to hold the cat safely, securely and comfortably for grooming and administering medications without having to deal with a struggling cat.

My neighbor has since passed away, and I have come to realize that I can really, really use something like this for my cats. Unfortunately, because so much time has passed, I don't remember the name of the website, or even what they called the item. It might not be called a "holster" but something else.

Soooo...does anyone have any experience using this type of item and can recommend something? I've started searching the internet, but can't find anything. Maybe I'm not using the right search terms, so I could use suggestions for that, too. Thanksabunch.

 

[Tom L.]

I haven't tried one, but since I've usually lived alone with my cats, I probably could have used such an arrangement. My cats haven't been violent when I tried to medicate them- just the opposite- but they squirm so much. My sister and her husband have two cats at the moment, and one of them needs sub-q fluids periodically. If one of my cats had developed such a need I would have had to learn how to do it, but it would have been frustrating.

Does your vet have any suggestions?

 

[Amy SF]

I haven't asked him yet. See how much I love you guys? I wanted to ask on VV first.

 

[KLS52]

Try cat harness or cat walking jacket. Not sure what it is supposed to look like or if a regular harness would work for you.

 

[Freesia]

Just trying to imagine what would happen if I put Gypsy into a holster. (She has broken 3 cat carriers).

 

[Amy SF]

Just trying to imagine what would happen if I put Gypsy into a holster. (She has broken 3 cat carriers).

 

[mlp]

I don't know of anything that holds a recalcitrant cat so that you can easily med or groom. If such a thing exists, I'll buy four dozen.

This is one of the years that Sebastian has decided to grow dreads. I noticed them starting just before his eye surgery, and while he was recuperating from that, I didn't have the heart to torment him.

So now the dreads are well enough established that my only recourse is to lock myself in one of the big wire crates with Sebastian and the clippers. One of us will emerge in tatters, and it won't be Sebastian.

 

[Pickle Juice]

I searched on "cat restraints" and found this: http://stores.homestead.com/KittenToCat/-strse-80/CAT-BAG--dsh--Large/Detail.bok

Looks like there is an option to completely restrain the limbs or expose them for claw trimming.

 

[Amy SF]

Oh, cat restraints! Why didn't I think of searching for that? Thanks, PJ!

I searched for that on Amazon and found the same thing - for a lot cheaper. I'm getting the medium size, for cats 10-15 pounds, but I think I might get the small, too, because I need to clip Misty's claws (both front and back) and she's pretty small. She might move around too much if I put her in the medium and there's too much room. *thinks*

So, mlp, now that it's established that this thing exists, will you be ordering all four dozen today?

 

[mlp]

So, mlp, now that it's established that this thing exists, will you be ordering all four dozen today?

I looked at that. Anyone I could get zipped into that, I can easily med and groom without it.

What I'm looking for is more along the lines of a sheet of special material that, when a cat steps on it, shrink wraps the cat, and I can pounce and do what's necessary.

 

[Dedalus]

I looked at that. Anyone I could get zipped into that, I can easily med and groom without it.

HAHA! I'm with you there. I may be able to get my cats into this ONCE. From then on - forget it.

...and I wonder how you get them to stick their paws through the holes for clipping? (And what keeps them from pulling them back through once you've clipped on nail?)

I find that distraction over time works the best. It took me a whole week once to trim Livvy's claws - I just put her in my lap and did one or two at a time while she was chilling out enjoying my attention. By then it was time to start over

 

[ledboots]

For dogs, my vet recommended a spoonful of peanut butter while her nails are being clipped. Works like a charm, but I think cats are way harder to distract.

 

[RabbitLuvr]

What I'm looking for is more along the lines of a sheet of special material that, when a cat steps on it, shrink wraps the cat, and I can pounce and do what's necessary.

I need a rabbit version. Common advice is to wrap them in a towel like a burrito, with the head sticking out.
Mine always do one or more of these things, regardless of how well/tightly the towel is wrapped: Dart out the front; back up and turn around so the butt is sticking out; reach a paw out to claw me; bite my hand; or bite down on the towel an hold it tightly in their mouth so I can't get the syringe in.