10 mo. tabby w/ behavior problems

Question
Hello..I have a ten month old male tabby and ever since I first tried 8 months ago to cut his nails..he gives me a VERY hard time about it. He thrashes around, meows at first, then starts to hiss, then starts to spit, and claws at me. I have tried to wrap him in a blanket as I try to cut them but it doesn't work. I usually end up cutting his back feet nails because those are the ones he is most sensitive with and really starts thrashing around. And I don;don't want to hurt him but I need to cut his nails. Do you know any way to make it a less stressful situation for him and easier for me?
Also...I basically just started brushing him and he hates that too. He doesn't vocalize his displeasure like w/ me cutting his nails..but he does thrash around and try to wrap himself around my arm with is claws and bites at me. Do you have any advice for brushing him?
Thirdly (lastly) he still does bite a lot. Not in a "mean" way..but in a kitten stage. Is that normal for a 10mo old male tabby?Like he does it whenever I pet him and so it gets very annoying after a while when you just want to be loving with him and he only wants to bite! Do you have any advice for how to get him to stop? My vet told me to just ignore him to let him know I do not want to play but that doesn't actually make him stop biting in the long run. He is a very sweet cat, just has these problems which I would like to deal with.
ALSO (sorry) do you know how much a cat his age should weigh by now? I usually keep out dry food for him all day, just keep the bottom of his dish covered. And feed him about a tablespoon and a half of wet food morning and PM. Does that sound about right? He is still on kitten food.
THANK YOU SO SO MUCH if you can answer any of this!
Sincerely,
Karen W.

Answer
Hi
Ok I think to best answer your questions I will refer you to my website which has information about your issues.

here is the first page, it is all about clipping claws and how to get your cat used to it. there is also a video on the page which you might find helpful
/claws.html

As for the second issue about grooming here is my web page about this here
/cat-grooming.html

Basically though it is a case of regularly touching your cat all over without grooming and also letting them get used to the brush without grooming. Eventually they will become less afraid of the process.

The third question is all about learned behaviour. Your kitten still thinks that biting Is OK and is a game. Normally they learn not to bite when playing etc from their mothers during the first few weeks. Some cats however need some extra help.

Your vet was right it is a case of giving her a negative reaction when she bites a a positive one when she doesn't. Again I have written   a page about this. It explains the whole negative/positive reaction process. It may take some time but is the only way to teach your cat that this behaviour is not acceptable.
/cat-discipline.html

As for the last question I am afraid I do not know the answer to this one.

best wishes Kate
http;//www.our-happy-cat.com