Alternative to declawing
Posted By: twink on 2007-07-26
In Reply to: Just like with people - sm
I use a product called Softclaws. They are plastic caps that you glue on you cat's front paws and it lasts about 5 weeks. They are kind of a pain to apply, but they really do work and Matt The Cat got used to them pretty quickly. I don't know, but maybe it would be worth a try before you opt for surgery. Here's the site. http://www.softclaws.com. Good luck!
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I agree with no declawing....but
one of my cats is jumping up on the corner where the two walls meet and hanging on to either side with her claws. There are now long deep lines on the walls, so many it actually looks like a design that I will need to spackle and paint soon I'm thinking. Good thing it's the bedroom and not a main room. They don't bother with the furniture so I'm lucky there. And I do have scratching posts, etc.,she apparently just gets a kick out off hanging off the wall! So, yes they can do some damage but I still won't get them declawed.
Declawing cats
I was in the same position you were in. It was either declaw one of my cats (one always used the scratching post and caused no problems) or get rid of him. He caused hundreds of dollars of damage tearing up our wood bansters and bay window. I was totally against it, but I did have it done and he had no problems at all. He's also an indoor cat. I know those who declaw their cats will get a lot of slamming from those who are against it, but you have to do what's right in your situation.
There are other ways. Declawing is actually -
an AMPUTATION of the entire distal phalanx in the cat's toes; it isn't just the claw that is removed. It's one of a cat's most sensitive areas. Imagine having your finger and toe-tips amputated, and then having to walk around on them! Some cats go on to have problems afterward with their personalities, or stop using their litter-boxes because it's painful to dig. Even though an indoor cat is SUPPOSED to be indoors, unexpected things can happen: A door accidentally left ajar, a handyman forgets to close it as he dashes out to his truck for an extra tool, unknowing friends or visitors who forget to keep the door closed, or a kitty who is an escape-artist can lead to the cat getting outside. Or, in the midst of a catastrophe, such as a flood, fire, earthquake, etc., the cat could end up outside and on its own for anywhere from hours to months. Their claws are their first line of defense against attackers, and their ability to climb is often their only hope of escape.
What I do with my cat is TRIM all the claws regularly with a nail-clipper. Takes about 5 minutes, and is all she needs. Another, rather STYLISH option is using "Soft Paws". They are little plastic tips (and can come in a rainbow of colors!) that are glued to the tips of the cat's nails. They last until the outer part of the nail finally sheds. That would certainly be worth the time it took to apply.
I once adopted a rescue-kitty that had been declawed in all four feet.
Even though she was a gorgeous, purebred, show-quality chinchilla Persian, she had been in four different shelters, and kept getting returned after being adopted because of major litterbox issues. Former adopters had returned her time and again, and she had been scheduled for euthanasia when she was pulled from the shelter by a rescue organization. I adopted her, even though she was 10 yrs. old, because I knew that otherwise she'd probably spend the rest of her life in a crowded rescue setting.
Her poor little feet were so sensitive that she wouldn't let you touch them, and it took a while to get her using her litter box because didn't like to dig in the litter. Even playing was frustrating for her, as she could rarely successfully catch the toy she was chasing.
Also, depending on what state you live in, declawing may not be legal. I would suggest talking to your vet, or even a local rescue organization or other cat expert, about the different ways you could solve the problem without giving up your cats or mutilating their paws by declawing.
http://www.declawing.com/ nm
z
I agree with you on declawing - it's a painful procedure -sm
and can lead to other behavioral problems. I think the scratching has less to do with the claws than their instinct to scratch. One of my cats is a front-declaw (she came that way, unfortunately) and I feel SO sorry for her. She gets so frustrated when she can't pick anything up with her front paws. She still 'scratches', too, but always uses the scratching post. They do seem to prefer that to anything. My other cat sometimes uses the rug, but it seems to be more as a precursor to a game of chase between them. I trim my clawed cat's nails frequently. The only furniture she tries to scratch on is the bedpost, which is sort of a wicker-type material I got at Ikea. But she does it rarely, and if I really cared about it, I'd protect it somehow.
You might be able to protect the furniture, at the same time enhancing the look, by getting several throws to put over vulnerable areas. Or, if it really only matters if they look good for company, I'd cover the entire piece. That way you wouldn't have to vacuum cat hair, either.
Finally, another option is a product called 'Soft Paws' - a plastic 'fake nail', basically, that is glued on over the existing claw. Kind of a pain to apply, and they do shed off when the outer nail sheds. But they look cute, come in lots of pretty colors (including clear), and they can save the furniture without traumatizing the cat.
Gotta a cat question... what is the consensus on declawing? SM
My cat likes to sharpen her claws on my leather office chair. I always immediately scold her when she does it and I make her stop, but my chair has got little puncture marks on it which is irritating. My sister had her cat declawed and he was in so much pain for like two weeks afterwards. I just don't think I can do it no matter how irritating it is when my kitty scratches on my chair. My vet offers declawing as a service, but she tells me it is akin to having all our fingernails and toelnails ripped off! YEOWCH!
So I'm thinking no...
There's a better alternative
I would never apply that to my lashes with the risks it has. Why would you do that with a chemical that could potentially permanently change your eye color?! Scary!
It's expensive, too - about $120 a month (my pharmacist's quote).
If you get eyelash extensions, it costs about the same annually. I've gotten them before for a wedding and loved them. Takes a little more time and upkeep but not the risk and the same or less money.
Best to try to find a different alternative
Maybe your husband could cut a board the size of your door frame, and wrap it in sissle rope, it needs to be at the height of the cat, so he can fully extend his body if that is his habit or what ever habit he has, maybe he only does it low, but you should know, or maybe a carpeted piece of board, I know you can find a solution, and just be so thankful it is not your furniture that cannot be repaired, thanks so much for not considering declawing, I commend you for not taking that route, I hope I could be of help, all for the animals!!!! Sincerely!
Might ask if they believe in alternative medicine and the
s
The alternative sucks....nm
//
How about a healthy alternative
Healthy? What? For Superbowl? I know. I must be kidding, right?
How about a bunch of carrot sticks, or pre-peeled baby carrots, celery sticks, bell peppers cut into strips and some hummus. You can find good hummus at Whole Foods, and surprisingly, the Sam's near me has a really good one. Not everyone likes it, but it's one of my favorite snacks. You can also get pita chips and some baguette bread cut up into small slices to serve it with as well. Add some calamata olives and some bruschetta topping, which is roasted peppers in olive oil, and I think you'll have a hit that is not just the same old same old.
5 Alternative Meats To Consider
I believe I'll pass on all of them.
Meat consumption usually means beef, pork, or chicken. Mutton and venison are common also. My favorite Indian restaurant avoids both beef and pork for religious reasons, but sometimes offers goat as an alternative to chicken. In the past few years, rising food prices and concerns about the environment are leading people to try new and different sources of meat. Here are five you may have never thought about.
1. Raccoon
Raccoon meat is cheap if you know of a local trapper. In Kansas City, raccoons go for $3-7 dollars each, and a whole animal will feed five adults. Preparing raccoon meat isn’t easy or quick. Frozen meat must be thawed, then parboiled, then stewed. The cooking time is measured in hours, but those who have tried it love the taste. That is, if you can get past thinking of raccoons as vermin, roadkill, or cute little masked bandits. You’ll find one reminder: trappers remove the head and three paws, but leave one paw behind to prove the animal is not a dog or cat.
2. Camel
Camel meat is quite common in the Middle East, and is reportedly quite tasty. Australians are now encouraged to try camel meat as the continent’s million-plus wild camel population is growing out of control. Camels are destroying the delicate ecosystem of the desert, and they burp huge amounts of greenhouse gasses into the air. You can find camel recipes if you look, but beware that some recipes are more serious than others.
3. Squirrel
Eating squirrel is nothing new in America. Just a few years ago, advice came from the University of Kentucky that people should not eat squirrel brains because they may contain a variant of Mad Cow Disease. The rest of the squirrel is fine, if a little stringy. Now squirrel meat is being promoted in Britain due to an overpopulation of gray squirrels. The American invaders are edging out the native red squirrels. Brits who resisted squirrel meat for centuries are now patting themselves on the back as they eat gray squirrel and do their part for the balance of nature. You’ll find plenty of recipes for squirrel online.
4. Yattle
Yattle is the name given to a crossbreed of yaks and cattle. Yak meat has less fat than beef, because yak fat is near the skin, where it helps keep the cold-climate animal warm, whereas beef cattle distribute their fat throughout the meat. First-generation yattle are the result of mating between a yak and a cow or bull. Male yattle are sterile, but females can breed with bulls, resulting in a 25% yak ancestry for second-generation yattle. Yaks, and yattle, consume less food than cattle, and produce valuable fiber to make sweaters. Yattle meat is supposedly indistinguishable from yak meat.
5. Kangaroo
Kangaroos are both plentiful and meaty, with a low percentage of fat compared to beef. They are also less damaging to the environment than cattle. However, kangaroo meat is slow to catch on in Australia. After all, most nations don’t eat their national symbol! Some European countries consume more kangaroo meat per capita than Australia, possibly because of Mad Cow Disease fears. Environmental groups encourage people to eat kangaroo because the animals do not burp or fart and therefore do not add greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere -strangely the opposite reason people are encouraged to eat camel meat. Kangaroo meat is used in sausages, stews, steaks, burgers, and sandwiches.
The OP mentioned a site for alternative --sm
products. she said the list was quite lengthy and she printed it out. Perhaps she will provide a link for that particular site. I am sure there is something else we can use to soften our clothes.
The alternative list is in that article
and this is for many, many things but other than the mention of aluminum foil, I did not see an alternative for fabric softener on there. Aluminum foil? I would think that could break down and then you would have aluminum to contend with? Never-ending!!
Alternative Christmas celebration and
Does anyone here NOT celebrate the traditional Christmas with their kids...specifically I am referring to the "Santa" portion. I am thinking about doing this with our second child (currently pregnant). Our first child is now old enough to know the truths and it is kind of a relief to be honest. I have tried and tried to stress the importance of family and the true meaning over Santa but its really hard. Recently I have just been thinking that may be next time it would be easier all the way around to not follow that but wonder how it would work with school, people asking, etc.
alternative forms of protein
Don't make meat the centerpiece of your meals. Legumes & grains can be combined to make complete proteins. It's healthier & MUCH cheaper. Buy a great vegetarian cookbook, like Moosewood by Mollie Katzen.
I make my own nonfat yogurt 2 gallons at a time, then strain it. I use the whey as a buttermilk substitute to make my own bread. Sounds time-consuming, but it's really not. It's simple & can mostly be done while I'm working. Cost: yogurt about 3 dollars a gallon, bread (more nutritious than anything you can buy) about 35 cents a loaf.
alternative forms of protein
Don't make meat the centerpiece of your meals. Use it like a condiment, as in Asian cooking. Legumes & grains can be combined to make complete proteins. It's healthier & MUCH cheaper. Buy a great vegetarian cookbook, like Moosewood by Mollie Katzen.
I make my own nonfat yogurt 2 gallons at a time, then strain it. I use the whey as a buttermilk substitute to make my own bread. Sounds time-consuming, but it's really not. It's simple & can mostly be done while I'm working. Cost: yogurt about 3 dollars a gallon, bread (more nutritious than anything you can buy) about 35 cents a loaf.
I get blocks of cheese at Costco, cut it into smaller chunks & freeze some of it. This makes it kind of crumbly but it still melts fine & can be used in recipes.
I love an alternative rock band called
Minus the Bear and so does my 15 yo son. 
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