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Declaw???

MyMiniMonk
MyMiniMonk
OK, I am so torn right now. I love my Bob, and he's the sweetest little boy in the world...
That is, until he gets a hankerin' to claw the carpet on the bottom step. The carpet is brand new- we just had it installed less than 6 weeks ago, and he's already shredded it down to the wood on the step! He also has destroyed the fabric on my dining room chairs, and it's not going to be cheap to have all six recovered. He also clawed and ruined my husband's leather recliner that we bought just 2 years ago. He hasn't hurt the couch yet, but it's leather too, and I get nervous any time that he's near it. I'm not one for declawing cats, even though in my line of work, it's as routine as vaccines. The other problem is that I have an autistic 5 year old son. They love each other dearly, and they play kind of rough together. He never scratches him on purpose, but sometimes he does accidentally get my son in the face, near his eyes. The two of them are inseparable- and Bob sits by the door all morning, waiting for him to get home from preschool.
I know that those rubber caps for their claws don't stay on well, and that you have to keep replacing them constantly.

What's everyone's take on this? Knowing what's involved in a declaw, I'm not comfortable with it- but it's already going to cost us A LOT of money to repair the damage he's done so far.
Opinions and alternatives to declawing would be very helpful! Every vet I know of says to just declaw him :-(
deleted_user
deleted_user
The cats are just like kids they to have to be disaplined, what would you do if your child started to bite people??? My girls did. The first time they did I bit them back. And My girls never bit anyone every again. You gently bite them on the ear if they bite you. You let them know that biting is wrong. And you teach them just like a human child. I had the same problem with my part Maine coon and part siamese. , he doesn't bite any more. And he is the most loving kitty you would ever want to have in youe home. I don't know why it works but it has worked with all of my cats and they aren't scared of anyof us. They are so loving and lap kitties. I have only had the fount claws removed on four out of five of my cats. The fifth was to old when we got him to have it done. And he is also the only indoor outdoor kitty I have. He was that way when I got him. And he is the only one who has ever clawed use up. Even though it was just in play.
skeeter337
skeeter337
My three are not declawed. I clip their claws with regular nail snippers like you get at the drug store, regular finger nail sized, and we have two big scratching posts in the living room. They're a little costly but they last for a year. Your kitty has the habit of scratching that step now, maybe you need something to deter him from that, like a spray or sticky tape. They hate getting their claws clipped but they get used to it. The fronts need clipping every 3 weeks or so, the backs not so often. Be careful not to clip them too short. Wrap kitty in a blanket so you don't get scratched with the backs while you're doing the fronts. Good luck!
skeeter337
skeeter337
P.A. We 'reward' them for getting their claws clipped by rubbing catnip on the scratching posts. They love it!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Corkie??????? You mean the cat bites its paws? That is sooo normal. My cat that is not declawed bites it's claws and acts as if he is pulling them out. I think it is a way of cleaning them or something? I must read on that. Anyway, a lot of cats do it. like 3 of mine do it. One is declawed and he bites at his toes still. Hope that helps!
deleted_user
deleted_user
If it is right after the declawing , the cat it either trying to pull out the stiches, or clean the paws. Later if the cat still bites the paws he or she could cleaning the paws or trying to get rid of some kind of infection in the site. What I was talking a not was a cat that has been delawed likes to bite more after being declawed all together as a defense, or in play.They will also leann to really use their hind claws when they play. My cats still act as if they are scratching their cats condos ans batting at one another even in play. They act as if they still have those frount claws. They were so young when they had thier claws taken they don't remember. The only differance was I had to train then not to be so rough when it came time to play and biting. I have 5 vary health boys acorurding to the vet. they are not overweight and are all very well behaved and playful. Their cats all around. Just four of thenm don't have thir fount claws and are totaly indoors.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Oh, please don't declaw. Feliway might work, or rub a tissue on the sides of his mouth and then on the place he scratches, it's a different scent and might help lessen his urge to claw. I've heard if they claw something in front of you they're trying to get your attention, and if that's the case walk away from him and he's know it's something you don't like. The worst thing you could do is give him into trouble.

Put something over the place he claws for a bit, it will protect the place and maybe discourgage him. Esp, if it's plastic. Hope things improve.