I've had two cats in my life simply because they insisted on being "ONLY" cats and each were around for a long time. Angel was 18 when she died and Ashie just died Friday.
We had gotten Angel as a kitten in 1984. Back then, there were no computers readily available in homes like there is now.....and not much spreading about declawing. Angel was declawed (I was like 12).
When I adopted Ashley, she was already declawed (somebody just tossed their pet to the shelter....I HATE when people do that).
Now I am in a pickle because I am terrified of claws in the house, but I am terrified of the procedure of declawing. And yes, I am aware of SOFT PAWS, but then I've read some things where cats can chew those suckers off.
I was talking to my husband's best friend this weekend and he stated outright that he had both of his cats declawed not too long ago because they were tearing the crap out of $1000 finish/woodwork in the house and he didn't care...there was no way he was going to permit that damage (training wasn't going so well, I guess) and that was the price they were going to have to pay for a home.
Part of me does understand...I would be livid if I couldn't keep a cat from clawing at my expensive things and if training doesn't go so great and the soft paws get chewed off......OMG. what do you do??
This scares me. It really does.
I've got one cat that won't leave my mind. I don't know why. She is at the shelter, but she does have claws and isn't "fixed" yet (she will be before they release her). She is just a young little girl, but the most loving thing (and skinny, too...not your typical fluffy/fat snuggly furry kitty). This cat is GREAT with my 3 year old (lets her hug her and everything) and whenever I try to imagine another cat walking around here, I picture her immediatly. I don't know why, I just do.
Now, because I was a little apprehensive of letting another cat take over Ashie's home on a perm. basis, I decided to foster kittens that weren't old enough to be adopted. I haven't gotten them yet since I just found out I could late yesterday afternoon, but plan on getting them on Thursday.
But I am just soooo torn. I just don't know what to do. Although I think I would rather have an adult cat versus a few kittens confined to one room, I am just sooooo conflicted on various things.
Even the kittens, I know would have the claws, but being confined to one room (as they suggested at least to start for litter purposes) may lessen the potential damage.
Then you see a cat like my FIL's.....that cat is old as dirt...has VICIOUS claws...and never touches the furniture. I am in awe.
Any insight?? Any clue to tell if a cat would make that an issue??
We had gotten Angel as a kitten in 1984. Back then, there were no computers readily available in homes like there is now.....and not much spreading about declawing. Angel was declawed (I was like 12).
When I adopted Ashley, she was already declawed (somebody just tossed their pet to the shelter....I HATE when people do that).
Now I am in a pickle because I am terrified of claws in the house, but I am terrified of the procedure of declawing. And yes, I am aware of SOFT PAWS, but then I've read some things where cats can chew those suckers off.
I was talking to my husband's best friend this weekend and he stated outright that he had both of his cats declawed not too long ago because they were tearing the crap out of $1000 finish/woodwork in the house and he didn't care...there was no way he was going to permit that damage (training wasn't going so well, I guess) and that was the price they were going to have to pay for a home.
Part of me does understand...I would be livid if I couldn't keep a cat from clawing at my expensive things and if training doesn't go so great and the soft paws get chewed off......OMG. what do you do??
This scares me. It really does.
I've got one cat that won't leave my mind. I don't know why. She is at the shelter, but she does have claws and isn't "fixed" yet (she will be before they release her). She is just a young little girl, but the most loving thing (and skinny, too...not your typical fluffy/fat snuggly furry kitty). This cat is GREAT with my 3 year old (lets her hug her and everything) and whenever I try to imagine another cat walking around here, I picture her immediatly. I don't know why, I just do.
Now, because I was a little apprehensive of letting another cat take over Ashie's home on a perm. basis, I decided to foster kittens that weren't old enough to be adopted. I haven't gotten them yet since I just found out I could late yesterday afternoon, but plan on getting them on Thursday.
But I am just soooo torn. I just don't know what to do. Although I think I would rather have an adult cat versus a few kittens confined to one room, I am just sooooo conflicted on various things.
Even the kittens, I know would have the claws, but being confined to one room (as they suggested at least to start for litter purposes) may lessen the potential damage.
Then you see a cat like my FIL's.....that cat is old as dirt...has VICIOUS claws...and never touches the furniture. I am in awe.
Any insight?? Any clue to tell if a cat would make that an issue??