I made an introduction thread explaining a bit about myself. So shortened version: I foster kittens, give them some medical treatment, and rehome them. But as of right now, I have one 'kitten' that is getting to be quite big and still has no home.
She's a black tortioshell, she's not particularly absolutely gorgeous or unique looking, and she's a hoooorrible scratcher. She is VERY playful and active, and when zooming around will often latch on to someone's legs and climb up their body, scratching and sometimes even making them bleed. My boyfriend and I always have scratches all over ourselves because of her.
With that said.. we love her. Of course we do. She's been in my care since she was 3-4 weeks old, when she and her 2 brothers came to me emaciated and covered in fleas. After a long fight, she was the only one in her litter to survive.
But I'm at a loss. She's nearing 5 months, and her chances of a home are looking grim. I'm preparing myself to face that I may just have to keep her. But I don't own my own home right now, and she can't continue scratching, tearing everything up, and making people bleed. I'm almost 100% positive I'm going to go ahead and schedule her spay soon... but I don't know what to do about her scratching. Before I ever had a cat, I was and am against declawing. I've seen the horrors of it, and I've always thought.. "It's a cat. Cat's scratch, and if you can't deal with that, get a stuffed animal." But I suppose it isn't always that easy, eh?
Is this harmful scratching a 'phase', much like puppies and their play biting.. or is this something I'm going to have to be prepared to deal with until her old age? I can deal with a phase.. and I could deal with it her entire life too.. but I'm also considering if she is spayed + declawed, that would increase her adoptability and she may actually find a good home.
She's a black tortioshell, she's not particularly absolutely gorgeous or unique looking, and she's a hoooorrible scratcher. She is VERY playful and active, and when zooming around will often latch on to someone's legs and climb up their body, scratching and sometimes even making them bleed. My boyfriend and I always have scratches all over ourselves because of her.
With that said.. we love her. Of course we do. She's been in my care since she was 3-4 weeks old, when she and her 2 brothers came to me emaciated and covered in fleas. After a long fight, she was the only one in her litter to survive.
But I'm at a loss. She's nearing 5 months, and her chances of a home are looking grim. I'm preparing myself to face that I may just have to keep her. But I don't own my own home right now, and she can't continue scratching, tearing everything up, and making people bleed. I'm almost 100% positive I'm going to go ahead and schedule her spay soon... but I don't know what to do about her scratching. Before I ever had a cat, I was and am against declawing. I've seen the horrors of it, and I've always thought.. "It's a cat. Cat's scratch, and if you can't deal with that, get a stuffed animal." But I suppose it isn't always that easy, eh?
Is this harmful scratching a 'phase', much like puppies and their play biting.. or is this something I'm going to have to be prepared to deal with until her old age? I can deal with a phase.. and I could deal with it her entire life too.. but I'm also considering if she is spayed + declawed, that would increase her adoptability and she may actually find a good home.
As far as cat training goes.. it took my boyfriends cat over a hear to stop being aggressive to me. Give dogs food, and they love you. Cats.. well, I admire those that can train cats.
