Hi all it's Tara....I just have a little question...Is there a certain age that my kittens can be declawed...they are really scratching Jason and I up, and I noticed Tinkerbell trying to sharpen her claws on our couch *yikes!*
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Hmmm Question!
- Thread starter tarajason
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That's going to depend on your vet. I know here in Houston most vets wont do it at all anymore since it's considered to be an inhumane practice, the ones that will do it, wont do it to any kitten over the age of 3 mos.
You can try using Soft Paws, which last about 6 weeks if put on right.
Or there's a new procedure done now that's less intense, I forget what it's called but you can Google it.
When you declaw your cat, it's like cutting off your finger tips to the first knuckle...
http://www.softpaws.com/
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
Ohhh I know...the thought of Declawing them is awful. Jason was telling me about those soft paws tonight, We really need to consider it. I also had our niece over tonight, and Tyson scratched her (by accident) and now she's scared of him, and I don't want that, so we definatly need to do something!
Please, as the others have said, considers alternatives to declawing. Kitties' nails are just like ours, part of the first joint of their toes, and declawing involves removing the first joints. It is highly painful and traumatic for your poor kittens. Providing scratching posts will give them acceptable areas to scratch (my two love the cardboard ones that cost $5 and are replaceable) and either trimming the nails or using the SoftPaws will help as well. I hope this information is useful to you!
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- #6
I use the SmartyKat's brand, and I find them in Wal-Mart and Target for a good price. They have catnip included, so the boys just go crazy over them. When one side is used up, you can just flip the cardboard insert over and its good as new. I find they use it more than their sisal post now.
Out of curiosity, what was your niece doing when your kitten scratched her? Was he perhaps defending himself or trying to get away? Maybe you can explain to her that even though she didn't mean to, she scared him, and he's really a nice kitten when you know how to play with him right. I hope she is understanding!
Out of curiosity, what was your niece doing when your kitten scratched her? Was he perhaps defending himself or trying to get away? Maybe you can explain to her that even though she didn't mean to, she scared him, and he's really a nice kitten when you know how to play with him right. I hope she is understanding!
Reilly uses scratching posts too...the cardboard kind. I have a couple for him throughout the house. Please don't declaw your kitty, aside from being incredbily painful they can also get serious infections that can lead to the vets having to amputate the entire toe.
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- #9
They were just playing, I sat on the couch and was watching them, and of course she had the ball and Tyson ran after it, and just caught her a little bit. I told her it was an accident and he didn't mean too, but she gets scared at little things like that. It will just take some time for her, but she will eventually get over it, she did blow him and Tinkerbell a kiss before she left tonight haha. Thank you for the information on those scratching post, hopefully it will help...the thought of declawing them is awful!
Definately DO NOT declaw - Pretty nasty and in a situation where the cat may need to use its claws - i.e. in defense, it will not have that resource.
Simply clip your cats nails with a pet nail clipper and get them a scratching post - It works wonders and you won't get scratched anymore!
Simply clip your cats nails with a pet nail clipper and get them a scratching post - It works wonders and you won't get scratched anymore!
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If you cant clip kittys nails take kitty to a vet or groomer for a small fee they will do the nails..
Make sure you provide a variety of scratching surfaces to see which one he will like best. Carpet, sisal, cardboard and vertical and horizontal. It is really easy to train them to use the post. I trained both Prego and Polly in under a week and they never scratch the furniture now. Trimming their nails is also surprisingly easy, especially if you start when they're young.
