Getting Your Cats De-Clawed
By orcanut
@orcanut (146)
Canada
February 20, 2007 9:46am CST
OK, I seriously need help with this one. I love my husband, he loves me. I love our kids, so does he. I love my cats. He hates my cats. It has to be the biggest bone of contention between us. Despite my best efforts, they continue to scratch the furniture and carpets. One is 8 years old, the other is 3 (the cats). They never go outside, (the cats again - the kids go out lots) and we have purchased every gimick you can imagine and they keep going back to the furniture and the carpets (much like the kids). We've tried foil (on the stairs not the kids or the cats), citrus spray (again, not the kids or cats), "stay-away' spray that didn't work (might try that on the kids!)and special cat-scratching posts. We've also tried duct-tape (not on the kids or cats - YET). I refuse to have them declawed (the cats, the kids I trim regularly). The 8 year old would never survive. I don't think we should have one done and not the other. Plus - it's not fair to the cats anyway - if they ever got out they would be up the creek without a paddle. That's my argument. My husband's is simple - the cats or the furniture have to go! (I'm sure he wanted to say me or the cats)! I want to show him that most people out there agree with me and plan on showing him the responses - lets be on my side - OK? THANKS!! Oh, and any tips on how to get the cats to stop would be great too!
3 people like this
6 responses
@kyrandia (80)
• United States
1 Mar 07
I have 6 cats that are not declawed and let me tell you that it was difficult to get them to stop scratching. The way I did it was I actually bough some cat towers/scratching posts and put them in the center of a couple of rooms where they do it the most. I know with my cats for some reason a couple of them just instinctively knew what to do. I also bought pieces of carpet and put it around my house. if you do catch them bring them over to the "good scratching area" and move their paws across the post or where ever showing them that this is ok to do. and whenever they do go back praise the world out of them. It does take a long time and there is some patience that is needed. But that is how I got my kitties to stop (for the most part) scratching.
@orcanut (146)
• Canada
1 Mar 07
I agree, good answer. I have tried all that though - bought several scratching posts (some free-standing, some hang on doorknobs, some are cardboard thingies in a ring) and i praise the poop out of the cats for using them (maybe to counter hubby scaring the poop out of them?) also use spray bottles, clapping loudly when i catch them etc. Haven't tried "showing" them how to scratch - figured with all of our ripped up carpets they already knew! *S*
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
1 Mar 07
Good answer! Putting a bunch of those cardboard scratchers around can help, too. They gotta scratch, so make sure there's lots of authorized places to do it!
1 person likes this
@aweaver4 (138)
• United States
1 Mar 07
www.softpaws.com This website has things called soft paws which are soft plastic coverings. they attach over each nail with nail glue (basically the same as fake nail glue humans use). you can get them in different colors and different sizes to fit your cats need. i used to put them on my cats when necessary. it takes a minute to get them to hold still but if you can do it, i'd say this is the best way to keep your furniture in good condition. they can scratch all they want but they wont tear up anything. You can also get these at PetCo or Petsmart i think. I got mine at Petco
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
20 Feb 07
I would never have my cats declawed. I use spray bottles to scare them off the furniture or countertops. There are some pretty clever devises on the market to deter them from shredding your furniture. They are costly though.
When my cats are looking to scratch I get out the catnip and put it on the Turbo Scratcher. I also use Sticky Paws on the furniture. You do have to keep replacing it, but it is worth it in the long run. There are also clear plastic corners that attach to the furniture to keep them from digging into the fabric.
Good luck with your hubby and your cats too.
@orcanut (146)
• Canada
20 Feb 07
I think the problem is that with cats, you have to catch them doing it or else you may as well do nothing. I'm sure most pets are like that! I don't usually catch them, but of course, my husband hears them even from a deep sleep, and goes tearing after them - you would think they would learn - or that he would learn! i think they are sharpening their claws in case he does ever catch them!
@XxAngelxX (2830)
• Canada
20 Feb 07
LMAO! Very cute! How about trying the duct tape backwards (not on the cats or the kids, but on the furniture) so that when the cats go to scratch the furniture they stick to it? (I guess that kind of is like using it on the cats after all, might work for the kids too but I don't really recommend it) I never got my cat declawed for that very reason that you stated, I would be so scared if she ever got out (she's an indoor cat as well) that she wouldn't be able to defend herself.
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
2 Mar 07
cap the kittie's claws with soft paws. it's a humane alternitive to cutting off the claws (and the toes) of the cat. he/she can claw but not damage a thing with those buggers on his feet. here's the url where you can learn more.
(quote)
The application is simple. Just fill each nail cap with the adhesive provided
and slide it on over the nail. It's that easy!
Invented by veterinarian Dr. Toby Wexler, Soft Paws has been on the market since 1990. Each Soft Paws take-home kit contains everything required to apply the nail covers at home. Including easy to follow instructions.
This is an amazing product that really works! Cats tolerate Soft Paws extremely well. So comfortable, most cats don't even know they're wearing them.
(end quote)
http://www.softpaws.com/
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
1 Mar 07
Cats scratch for two reasons: to mark territory, and to help shed the claw sheaths. Do you trim their nails? You can reduce scratching quite a bit with this one thing.
1 person likes this
