Best try clipping claws during the cat's quiet time. Do you have someone who
can help you with the claw clipping? One friend of mine holds her kitty and
pets it while her Mom clips the claws. I've been known to wrap the kitty in
a towel to get them done but I usually only need to do that the first time
or two with a kitten. After that I've never had a cat give me much of an
argument. You could try just clipping one or two claws a day until you get
them all done. Or if all else fails take the kitty to the groomer. I think
the groomers in Pet Smart will do cat's claws and for that matter, will
apply soft paws if you decide to try using them to save the furniture.

Is your scratching post large and sturdy enough for the cat? They don't like
using a post that can be tipped. You could also try the cardboard
scratchers. Many have said that their cats love them. Usually if you have
something really fun to scratch and stretch on the cat will leave the
furniture etc. alone.

Wendy

Cats usually don't like leather;  too cold.  They can still damage a leather
couch if it's on the way to a desired place like a window sill;  the claws
might leave pinpricks over a well traveled area.  I've never found it bad
enough to care.

You could try using a towel and wrap kitty burrito like and then extend
one paw at a time, or you could buy a Klaw Kontrol Bag:
http://www.klaw-kontrol.com/
My vet uses one of these on one of my cats who's squirmy, and it really
works great and seems to calm my cat too.

My experience is that the more you do it, the more they get used to
it.

Good technique and tools are esssential.  I like to use the
small, blunt-nosed, notched, scissor-like clippers (Groommax Cat Nail
Clippers:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?ADD_CART_ITEM%3C%3Esku_id=1689
949371942377&ADD_CART_ITEM%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441778153&ADD_CART_ITEM%3C%3Equanti
ty=1&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441777735&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033731&
ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmForm=frm_add_to_cart&bmFormID=11030275
13655&bmSubmit=add_to_cart&bmUID=1103027513655&bmHash=9e3d0666c22e452480e2e2f54d
47208699ac8b6b
as they are less obtrusive and easier to handle. I've trimmed claws on
hundreds of cats (used to be a groomer), and those work for me.  You
will
eventually find a set of tools and a routine that works for you, if
you stick with it long enough.  Also, the vet can give you lessons in
technique if you need them.

The method I use is this:

While standing, place the cat on a folded towel, on an *unfamiliar*++
table, with his head to your left.  Put his body close to yours so
that you can lean to the outside (furthest from your body) and clip
first the fronts, and then the backs (or vice-verse - I do both).
When clipping the fronts, I pull the paw up and out, and kinda behind
their head, so that if they do try to bite, they have to go past their
own arm to do so, which gives me enough time to get away.  When
clipping the backs, I just pull the foot out, or in some cases, I
gently flip it back.  As I do the backs, I block the head with my arm
and elbow, so that the cat can't reach around and bite.

Flip kitty 180 degrees (this is why you have him on a towel), and
repeat the procedure on the other side.  Let go, and watch him fly!
;o)

Obviously, if you have any cats that are real biters (rather than
nippers), you have to have someone scruff them while you trim their
nails.  If the cat remains difficult to trim, I suggest having your
vet do it for you (should be free or less than $10).  Also, the vet
may be able to help you improve your technique so that it becomes
much easier for you.

++The reason you put the cat in an unfamiliar place to do the
trimming is that it distracts the cat, and allows it to focus on
something other than biting you.  If you trim in the cat's own
"territory" it knows exactly where to move, where to jump to, and
where to hide.  I do the trimming on my kitchen island, since that is
a place the cats are not familiar with.  A folding table in an
attached garage would serve the same purpose.

HTH,
-L.

Get help if you can. I've been working with animals for years and Miss Gaya
won't let me do her paws by myself (she a VERY temperamental cat) so my DH
has to help.