To declaw or not to declaw that is the question...

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rumberg

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So Wiggins has been with us for almost a month and the question i had when we first got him was do we declaw him now or see how he behaves around the furniture and then decide. I understand that if we are to have him declawed it has to be soon cause the surgery is too much for older cats to handle. So our problem with Wiggins is he does use his scratching post but every now and then you will catch him scratching at the brand new leather couch (YIKES) and i have to say as much as i love him i cannot tolerate that. So i give him a squirt with the water bottle throw some catnip on his cat tree and praise him with treats when he uses it to scratch on.

Also i would like to add that we have been keeping his nails trimmed just above the pink (vein). But them seem to get sharp very fast

So i would like some advice on what to do and if you have any stories on preoperation and post operation i would like to hear them
 
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rumberg

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Thank you for the link
 
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gigi

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Softpaws really are remarkable. It might take a few tries to get them glued on correctly, but they last for a very long time and are quite effective. The great thing is that you can use them while you're training Wiggins to use the scratching post (Georgia, at least, continued to scratch normally as if she had nothing whatsoever on her claws). Then, if the training is successful, you won't have to use them any longer!

My only suggestion is to go with the clear ones. I thought it would be really spectacular to give Georgia a hot pink manicure, but it really just robbed her of all dignity and I felt kind of guilty.
 
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goldenkitty45

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Keep in mind that IF you declaw you should keep your cat the rest of his life. And that means that you don't get rid of him when he decides NOT to use the litter pan any more or resorts to biting or hiding because he has no defense.

Many cats with litter box problems are declawed. Not all but the majority.

If you can't live with some clawing its better to find him a new home and adopt another cat that someone declawed. At least another cat would not be subject to that procedure.
 
AbbysMom

AbbysMom

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Hi and welcome to TCS
Since you are a fairly new member, you may not have read our Forum Rules which include a statement of our views on declawing:

This website considers declawing a drastic way to curb cat behavior. A painful ordeal for your kitty we would suggest that declawing never be considered for any behavioral issue. Health issues are entirely different. It is up to you as a responsible pet owner to explore all the different options available instead of declawing. Your cat is dependant on you to make wise choices for her, and not put her into any more stress or discomfort. Please be a responsible pet owner and research this subject thoroughly. Understand that if you are pro-declaw in your posts, you will encounter opposition. Please learn more about alternatives for declawing here in our forums as well as on our website itself. Declaw – More Than Just a Manicure. Hopefully those of you with claw-related problems will find solutions by spending time in our Behavior Forum.
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Tanya already gave you a fantastic link. I'd like to suggest a few others.



Here are a few excellent threads and articles on declawing:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41954

http://www.thecatsite.com/Care/34/De...-Manicure.html

Here is an article on scratching:

http://www.thecatsite.com/Behavior/5...o-Stop-It.html
 
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cdubbie

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I've had luck with BitterEnd - a spray with a foul odor (to pets) that discourages scratching or chewing where applied. It doesnt work with all pets, some wont be affected by the odor.

I have a green velvet couch, sprayed it once (do a spot check first) and Smidge has never scratched it.

There are several brand names, Bitter Apple I think is one. I asked the clerk at PetSmart and Bitter End is all that they carried.

Have you dont reading about conditioning their behaviors to scratch in the right place yet? If you follow the "rules" consistently it will help. Also be sure you have good scratching options for kitty - they must have an attractive alternative before they "decide" the couch isnt good.

My cat likes the regular rope posts, put she is very fond of scratchy carpet pieces I pick up for $5 a pop. I put those in several places as well, and we they are too worn or dirty I replace them. I've found them in many colors to go with my decor, these are not dedicated cat items, I've just found thru the years my cats like them.
 
maherwoman

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Have you considered Soft Claws (there is also a very similiar product called Soft Paws)? Check out their site. They're GREAT! Our kitties have them, and they completely take away the ability to scratch up things.

Soft Claws are a vinyl covers that you glue to the kitty's claws after trimming them. They stay on the claw until the outter layer of the claw naturally sheds (so they last about 4-6 weeks).

If you'd like, check out their site: www.softpaws.com . It's got a good amount of information about the product, how it works, and how to use them. Let us know what you think!
 
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zissou'smom

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Scratching is what cats do. You say you love your cat, so you wouldn't maim it to save you leather couch, right?
The fact that its already using the scratching post mostly would indicate that with a little bit more training and a little more educating yourself your cat and your precious couch can live in harmony.
 
urbantigers

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Is your scratching post tall/stable enough? Maybe you just need a bigger/stronger one. Or a second one (near the sofa?). Please don't declaw your cat. If your sofa is more important than the cat then please rehome the him rather than declaw him.
 
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kittenuk

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here in uk it is banned as docking a dog is remove the claws you remove his defensive armour and they also help with other things try useing a coconut mat or a log i have many cats and only one claws furniture sometimes please dont do it it is cruel
 
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dawn05

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I personally could never have my cats declawed. I also feel it would be cruel. It is the nature of a cat to use its claws and I knew that before I got my kitties. It is something I am willing to accept.

I do have to keep reminding my one kitty to stop scratching the furniture. If she is doing it, I lop a magazine in her direction (not at her) and she takes off. In fact, now I only half to rattle the magazine in my hand and she stops.
 
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You actually made note of something you already do to discourage the clawing of furniture. If you are persistent and consistent that will work quite well.

When ever I get a new cat, I ALWAYS keep a spray bottle or squirt gun full of water handy, so I can spray/squirt the cat when they are clawing something they shouldn't. They're very smart, and get the hint quickly.
 
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nath 1

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Originally Posted by Rumberg

So Wiggins has been with us for almost a month and the question i had when we first got him was do we declaw him now or see how he behaves around the furniture and then decide. I understand that if we are to have him declawed it has to be soon cause the surgery is too much for older cats to handle. So our problem with Wiggins is he does use his scratching post but every now and then you will catch him scratching at the brand new leather couch (YIKES) and i have to say as much as i love him i cannot tolerate that. So i give him a squirt with the water bottle throw some catnip on his cat tree and praise him with treats when he uses it to scratch on.

Also i would like to add that we have been keeping his nails trimmed just above the pink (vein). But them seem to get sharp very fast

So i would like some advice on what to do and if you have any stories on preoperation and post operation i would like to hear them
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Hi,

I hope you haven't proceeded with the declawing of your cat, as your post was a few days ago. If you have not, I beg you not to do it! All my cats had their claws and never caused damage to my parents furniture or mine. Why? Because the minute they got to our home, a scratching post was waiting for them. If you have tried one made of carpet, your cat may not like it. This is what happened to my two foster cats last fall. They were starting to use my carpets. So I made another one of sisal rope. It's magical.

And please consider the following : declawing a cat is like cutting off the last phalangial bones in a human hand. This would impair any human. The same for a cat. It is their way of defending themselves. I have something here for you to see if you are not convinced... Please have a look at the following links :
- http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/...clawtemporary/

and a sub page of the same web site : http://community-2.webtv.net/stopdeclaw/declawpics/

For the love of your cat, please do not do this! Like someone mentioned above, if you are still not convinced and are afraid about the furniture, it is best you give the cat to someone who will not mind. But I tell you : training with an adequate scratching post made of sisal rope should work.

Regards,

N.
 
celestialrags

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Originally Posted by urbantigers

Is your scratching post tall/stable enough? Maybe you just need a bigger/stronger one. Or a second one (near the sofa?). Please don't declaw your cat. If your sofa is more important than the cat then please rehome the him rather than declaw him.
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This is what I would suggest too. If furniture is really important then A cat isn't the pet, they scratch, that's what they do.
Here is a link to a site against declaw, I have posted it any time declawing comes up. It shows pics of it being done, suggestion for other alturnatives, vets that do/don't do it, personal stories of peoples expiriences, and it even tells you how to train/make scratching posts. Please read it for your cats health!
http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/
 
celestialrags

celestialrags

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Originally Posted by Nath 1

Hi,

I hope you haven't proceeded with the declawing of your cat, as your post was a few days ago. If you have not, I beg you not to do it! All my cats had their claws and never caused damage to my parents furniture or mine. Why? Because the minute they got to our home, a scratching post was waiting for them. If you have tried one made of carpet, your cat may not like it. This is what happened to my two foster cats last fall. They were starting to use my carpets. So I made another one of sisal rope. It's magical.

And please consider the following : declawing a cat is like cutting off the last phalangial bones in a human hand. This would impair any human. The same for a cat. It is their way of defending themselves. I have something here for you to see if you are not convinced... Please have a look at the following links :
- http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/...clawtemporary/

and a sub page of the same web site : http://community-2.webtv.net/stopdeclaw/declawpics/

For the love of your cat, please do not do this! Like someone mentioned above, if you are still not convinced and are afraid about the furniture, it is best you give the cat to someone who will not mind. But I tell you : training with an adequate scratching post made of sisal rope should work.

Regards,

N.
Click to expand...
oops, you posted the same one
 
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amy jo

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Please don't subject your baby to that awful procedure. Have you every had a fingernail pulled off. OUCH!!! If that cat ever gets outside she cannot climb a tree to get away from danger, defend herself, or even dig in the grass. Please listen to everyone, they are all so much more educated about the websites and such than I am. I am a country girl and I have had an accident and had my big toenail ripped completely off and the pain was unbelievable. You just cannot subject an innocent and harmless animal to something that painful for the sake of your furniture. Please find a different pet, and a new home for your cat. We don't mean to sound harsh or uncaring, but such is the nature of a cat, and we don't want to see her hurt for being what she is. I hope that you will do the right thing.
 
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