Cat declawing question

[margotb822]

I have two cats that are about a year and a half old. I got them with my bf at the time and he was very against declawing. Well, now we broke up, and I'm the one stuck with the claws. They've done a number on the carpet, but I can fix that. I just don't know if I can go through this for the rest of their lives.

Are they too old to be declawed now (at 18 months)?

If yes, does anyone have a good solution to keep cats from clawing at the carpet under a closed door?

Thanks!

[Ikonoklast]

1. See this:

http://www.softclaws.com/

Just might be what you need for kitty.

[margotb822]

12. Thanks!

I checked it out and I will definitely order. I wish I knew about these sooner!

[LeftyMom]

2. Declawing is painful and abusive.

It's like taking your fingers off at the knuckle.

Talk to your vet about doing softpaws- they're little silicone caps that go over their claws. Or you can just keep them trimmed.

As far as clawing at the carpet at closed doors goes, cats hate closed doors. Unless there's some vital health and safety reason to keep an interior door closed, the obvious answer is to leave them open enough that they have access to their entire living space.

[margotb822]

7. We have different ideas about what time

is a good time for getting up. I do let them sleep with me, but as soon as the sun comes up, they're up and wanting breakfast. I leave out dry food at night, but I guess it's just not as good as fresh breakfast (I've worked through this for a while. I'm at their mercy).

I do have the special trimming scissors, so I guess I'll just have to use them more often. It feels like catch-22, the more I trim them, the more they scratch.

[LisaL]

28. Have you looked into programmed feeders?

I believe you can actually program the thing to give out food at a certain time.

[margotb822]

34. Yes, that worked for a while

But then they realized that the food is inside the whole time and decided 3 am was a good time to try and get the food out. You should see that thing now, it's all covered with claw marks. I've started leaving out a bit of dry food, but they are still more interested in real breakfast.

[LeftyMom]

42. It sounds like you're not really prepared to deal with normal cat behavior.

This is a bit like having a baby, then wanting the baby's vocal cords cut because it cries in the morning before you're ready to wake up.

Honestly, if you're not equipped to deal with perfectly normal cat behavior, and adjust your routine somewhat when needed to get along with your fuzzy housemates, you should see if the ex-boyfriend would rather take the cats, or try to place them with somebody else. Surgery is not a reasonable solution to this problem.

[Haole Girl]

3. Not a good idea

Better to just clip their claws. Never clip more than half way, though, or it can harm the cat.

Good luck. :hi:

http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm

[Skip Intro]

4. NO cat should be declawed. It is inhumane. DON'T DO IT!

Get them a scratching post or many scratching posts.

Declawing them is a heartless, torturous thing to do to them. It harms them and is painful, and if they ever get outside of your home, they are defenseless.

Declawing is like cutting your fingers off at the first knuckle.

DO NOT DECLAW THEM!

[margotb822]

9. This is why we didn't in the first place

When I was growing up, we had our cats declawed...I didn't know anything about it then. But I did learn, so we decided to keep the claws.

If this were my own house, I'd be less concerned (or I'd get all wood floors), but since I'm renting right now, the carpet situation is a big frustration.

[Skip Intro]

11. I'm sure, and I do understand, but you have to take declawing off the table. It is not an option.

Google alternatives to declawing. Or as someone said above, find them another home as a last resort.

Don't declaw them.

[margotb822]

14. I am going to try

the softclaws product. I do love them very much and don't want to hurt them, I was just at my wits end. I didn't know about the nail caps, but that seems like a good solution.

[LisaL]

15. Right. Cause there are so many people out there

willing to adopt adult cats. Let's be real.
She got the cats, and they are her responsibility.
Because she is asking about declawing, doesn't mean she got to give the cats up.

[Skip Intro]

20. I'm just saying she shouldn't have them declawed.

She asked, I answered.

There must be another solution. I'm sure a vet could recommed more options than I can.

I'm trying to help. Thnaks.

[LisaL]

21. I don't agree with giving the cats up as a solution.

If simply because it's not easy to find homes for adult cats.

[Skip Intro]

24. May not be easy, but it is a better alternative than declawing.

I edited the hell out of this post.

[LisaL]

25. Right. Get rid of your responsibility.

Great advice.

[Skip Intro]

26. Wow.

Hey, my kid cries too much, should I cut out his tongue?

[LisaL]

29. Nope. Just give him to someone else.

And you will be free as a bird.
You could also take him to Nebraska ASAP before they change the law.

[Skip Intro]

31. You're rediculous.

Declawing is inhumane. There are better options. Those are the facts. I don't know what your point is but it is becoming clear that discussion with you is pointless.

[LisaL]

33. My point would be that giving the cat up is not a better option.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Declawing is cruel. Don't do it.

You can trim the tips of their claws and that should take care of the problem.

[Mutley]

6. Let them keep their claws, or find them a new home.

Or, chop off the tips of your fingers past the first knuckle. Then, maybe, it'll be fair to do the same to your cats.

[LisaL]

18. I think suggesting she gave the cats up are out of line.

[Flaxbee]

8. My sister uses soft paws -- they're great.

Another sister is a veterinarian and she is strongly against declawing. Please don't do it. It is very painful for them, and renders them relatively helpless. Please please please don't declaw. Try soft paws first -- please.

[margotb822]

10. How often does she have to get them changed/replaced?

Are they high maintenance? Do the cats know that they're on and try to take them off? How to they respond to scratching posts?

These are my questions about the product, so I'd be very interested in her take.

[LisaL]

23. You replace them as they fall off.

[Flaxbee]

38. as lizzy mentioned, you replace them as they fall off --

the cats might fuss a bit at first until they get used to them, but really, people I know who have tried soft paws are very happy. Scratching posts aren't really necessary afterward - the claw covers prevent scratching.

Plus, soft paws come in a variety of colors, so you can have fun with your cat's toenails, so to speak. :D

[Lorien]

41. Second vote for soft paws

some vets will even glue them on for free if you provide them!

[LisaL]

13. Do you have any scratching posts for them?

If not, buy some.
You could also buy some stuff to spray on things in a pet store that is supposed to deter cat from clawing. I am not sure how well it works.

[margotb822]

16. Yes, I do have posts

The problem is really that I put them out of my bedroom because they get up with the sun, and I'd rather not. So, they sit by the door and scratch under it. I bought one of those tub mats as a barrier, but they claw at that too, and eventually pull it away. I read above about the softclaws, so I'm going to try that.

[LisaL]

19. Cats hate closed doors.

Of course they will sit by the door and scratch under it if you lock them out.

[Skip Intro]

32. Are they spayed/neutered?

[margotb822]

35. Yes, actually

they were neutered when they arrived at the shelter. I had some concerns about their development because they were neutered at 6 weeks, but they seem fine.

[Skip Intro]

36. Do you let them out frequently?

[LisaL]

37. I sincerely hope she doesn't let them out.

[nadine_mn]

17. lol that's funny

sorry ... I have one cat and he uses everything but the scratching post

sigh live and learn

[margotb822]

27. I have one cat that only uses the post

and the other that uses everything but! It's frustrating, but I do love them so much. The first replier suggested softclaws, and I'm going to try those. They seem really simple and effective. My dad is having some issues and I'm going to move in with him for a few months, so I don't want them to destroy his house. I think the softclaws will be the best solution.

[LisaL]

43. Try to feed them really well before you go to bed.

This way they are less hungry in the morning.

[LisaL]

44. Try to feed them really well before you go to bed.

This way they are less hungry in the morning.

[nadine_mn]

22. I have a cat and I am by no means an expert

however, because we have 3 large dogs (and our cat came to us as a stray and he was inside/outside for a bit, plus it seemed cruel to remove his nails) we decided against declawing before we even heard about how painful it was.

I looked at the softclaws thing for him (decided against it only because he needs some defense to the dogs) and I have heard great things about them. We clip his claws, pretty easy to do, and I notice that he really starts scratching when they get too long. We rent our house, and jeez louise, he has killed doorways and stuff, but that's nothing compared to the toll an incontinent older dog has taken on the carpet.


We sort of let our pets rule... we are out numbered

:lol:

[IndianaJones]

30. if the option was being put to sleep or taken to a shelter, they would take the de-clawing. nt.

[flvegan]

39. Have you tried redirecting the behaviour?

Meaning, if the cat claws the carpet, you maybe squirt a water bottle at them. Same if they claw the furniture. But, when they claw the post or another appropriate item, they get no correction?

Declawing is for the lazy cat owner that doesn't much care about cruelty. Cats claw at things for a few reasons. Territory inside the home shouldn't be one of them, so correction seems to be the best fix.

[grannylib]

40. I wouldn't advise it...it's so cruel, and the older they are the worse it is for them to recover.