Trimming nails single-handed is a two-person job attempted by one. You need a paw held still, a clipper in the other hand, and an animal who is not walking away, and something always has to give. Taking the weight off the feet solves it in a way that holding tighter never does: a pet suspended in a sling has nothing to push against, so the struggling largely stops without anyone having to grip harder.

The body of the hammock is a breathable fabric with cut-out holes for the legs, so each paw drops through and can be worked on individually while the rest of the animal stays supported and covered. Being partly enclosed helps as much as the restraint does, because a lot of the wriggling at nail time is a reaction to feeling exposed. Adjustable straps hang it from a fixed point at whatever height puts the paws at your eye level, and it folds down to almost nothing between uses.

• Breathable fabric sling with cut-out leg holes
• Adjustable hanging straps
• Supports the body so each paw can be worked on separately
• For nail trimming, ear cleaning and general tidying
• Sizes XS, S, M and L in a range of colours
• Folds away small between uses

Two things worth knowing. You need somewhere sturdy to hang it from, and nothing is included for that, so check you have a suitable frame, hook or door before ordering. More importantly, this is for a pet who fidgets, not one who panics. An animal who genuinely fights being restrained will find the hammock more frightening, not less, and forcing the issue makes the next trim harder. Keep the sessions short, and stop if your pet is distressed rather than merely annoyed.

Who it's for: Anyone who trims their own cat or small dog's nails alone and needs a third hand for the wriggling.