Adopted a declawed kitty - she seems to hate the litter we have - help!

plkboise

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Hello - 

I've been a cat mom for a long time, but have never owned a declawed cat before.  Yesterday we adopted a female declawed Maine Coon mix from a private party.  It was a little urgent because she was living in a house with huskies that didn't like cats.  We've always had great success with Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat clumping litter, but this cat (although she is using the cat box) is having some trouble.  She destroys the clumps after peeing, and tonight she came out of the box with her back feet soaked in urine.  She has also not pooped yet, but it has only been 30 or so hours since she arrived home.

She seems a little "off" in general, not eating much, tail is twitching quite often.  But she is social, wandering the house.  She is our only cat and only pet at present.  

My questions:

Does anyone have a recommendation on a litter for declawed cats?

Any thoughts on this urine-soaked back feet thing?

Thanks for any help!  Patti
 

Columbine

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Hi Patti! Welcome to TCS :wavey:

Declawing will almost always leave the cat with ultra sensitive, painful paws for life. It's one of the commonest reasons for litterbox avoidance too - just stepping on most litters HURTS.

You need to stay WELL away from clay or pellet litters. SOFT is the most important thing to look for. sWheat Scoop is often well tolerated by declawed cats, so that would be a great place to start. Do be aware, though, that some declawed cats struggle with litters. In this case, puppy pee pads in the box can be a good option - they'll absorbed the urine and be ultra gentle on sore paws.

Your girl really does sound stressed out at the moment too. Feliway would definitely be worth a go, and Composure could help too - especially if the Feliway alone isn't enough.[article="31290"][/article][article="32804"][/article][article="30316"][/article][article="31189"][/article]
 

catminionjess

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Was the de-clawing recent or done some time ago? If it was recent, maybe she is still having problems adjusting to the loss. Since you just adopted her yesterday, maybe she is still adjusting to her new environment. 

I adopted a de-clawed stray cat in the spring of 2011. I actually didn't realize at first that he had been de-clawed. I saw him do the clawing motions on different things outside. The vet told me that the first time I took him in to be checked out. Anyway, I already had 2 cats with claws and was usually using Petco or Big Lots brand clay litter. He had no problem with it. But I've read on here that many de-clawed cats don't like that kind though. I eventually switched to pine to help control the odor of 3 cat's litter boxes. But the original boy didn't like it so I switched to clumping litter. He didn't have a problem with pine or clumping, but he may have preferred the clumping litter more. He passed 2 weeks ago, but that's what I would've kept using for him and am still using for the 2 with claws.

I don't think there should be wet back feet with clumping litter though. I never noticed anything like that with him. Maybe she doesn't like the box or the placement of the box. 
 

dbljj

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BOTH  my cats are declawed. At first we used yesterdays news for litter.. Now we use a mix of crystals and so phresh from Pet Depot. They do well with it. Sounds like your cat was declawed recently, can you find out?  Yesterdays News is rolled- up pellets of old newspapers and is easy on newly declawed cats.Both my cats go thu' their ritual daily of sharpening their PAWS. It is a regular cat thing, does NOT matter they have NO claws they will go thru' the motion....sounds like she is still nervous in new surroundings. MY Maine Coon Tortie I got last Oct at 12 weeks old. She is a pistol and has given my 7 year old short hair a run for his money..  everything always is on HER terms only Talk about personality. IF she wants to climb in your lap, she will tolerate a few back strokes but if I am on the computer or the telephone she will headbutt me til I rub her, , she will jump up on my chest if I have a cup of ice cream, take the spoon out of my cup, and stick her head right in the cup if I let her. Never lets me pick her up,   IF I bend down to pick her up she will JET into the other room..( shoulda' named her TAZ she seems that quick)

 but the joy she has brought us after  losing our 15 year old orange Tabby is priceless and she has so many of HIS mannerisms..
 
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plkboise

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Thank you so much, everyone!  She was declawed more than a year ago.  She has used the box to pee successfully several times since I posted - yay!  She seems a little more relaxed today, and is now eating better.  

I'm still not sure what happened last night with her - I think it must have just been a weird "thing" that happened.  This is so helpful.
 

catminionjess

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Thank you so much, everyone!  She was declawed more than a year ago.  She has used the box to pee successfully several times since I posted - yay!  She seems a little more relaxed today, and is now eating better.  

I'm still not sure what happened last night with her - I think it must have just been a weird "thing" that happened.  This is so helpful.
That's great! It's sound like she was just "off" getting used to her new environment. 
 
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