Cheap Tricks: Distracting Your Cat

Have you ever had a problem trying to clip cat claws, or do some necessary examination on a fidgety cat? I was shocked at how well this trick worked. I thought it was so clever I had to pass it on.

Jazz went through all sorts of indignities but didn't care in the least because he was fixated on a tongue depressor slathered in whipped cheese.

I don't keep spray cheese, but whenever we do his nails, Greg teases him with tiny tidbits of cheese while I clip his nails. Works every time.

We generally don't need to distract the dogs when we examine or clip, but we do pay them for their good behavior afterward.

Note: If you use peanut butter for dogs, make sure it doesn't contain xylitol. Most don't, but it pays to be vigilant.

What do you do to keep your dog or cat distracted?