Never declawed any of the dozen cats I have had over my lifetime - sm
Posted By: catlady on 2008-03-11
In Reply to: Gotta a cat question... what is the consensus on declawing? SM - MissouriMT
It is rare, in my opinion, that a cat cannot be trained to claw in appropriate places and not on furniture, etc. Are you providing good places for the kitty to claw, such as a nice scratch post (mine really love the sisal rope kind)? They also love those simple cardboard inserts that are in the Turbo Trackers and the Alpine Scratcher. When I get a new kitty I direct them to the appropriate places to claw and lavish praise. These acceptable places need to be some place you pass by often because the kitty wants you to be there when they are good. Mine run to the scratching posts because they know I am going to lavish praise on them. :-) If they claw somewhere they are not supposed to I immediatly squirt them with a water bottle set to stream. Something called a Scat Mat also keeps them away from the inappropriate places should they want to test you further. I have had young kittens, adult cats, you name it, and not a single one of them could not be trained to scratch where appropriate. I also have nice furniture (even leather). I would only declaw after I had exhausted all other options and it was a choice between that and giving up the cat. Just my two cents, for what it is worth. :-) Let us know what you decide. Best of luck!!
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And I think cats would rather be declawed than
x
Getting your cats declawed in my opinion
is inhumane. I would really reconsider it. They have caps that you can buy, relatively inexpensive and last for awhile, that you put on their nails. You glue them on over the nails. You can even do a color scheme in them if you like, pink, etc.
There are too many alternate ways out there to deter cats than declawing
We had our 2 indoor cats declawed, too.
They never go outside either and they both have done fine since.
All the vets I ever worked with had their cats declawed.
adf
Cats declawed front only can still climb trees and
x
My brother's declawed cats have a great life
They stay indoors, they are spoiled rotten, they are happy cats. There are 4 of them, all adopted at different times, and you couldn't ask for more sociable content kittehs.
The Cheaper by the Dozen
movies are great, and my kids can watch them with me.
I totally agree. All but one of the dozen or so people (sm)
that I know who had tubals later on developed horrible menstrual problems. Many ended up with a hysterectomy 10-15 years down the road.
I'm not sure the doctors recognize or admit a connection, and I admit my info is anecdotal, but it was enough for me to decide I didn't want to risk it.
Any ideas on how to attractively wrap a dozen cookies and/or brownies cheaply?
 I have a large quantity of these to do and could use any tips and advice. Thanks.
U got it!!! after a lifetime of them, who needs one...
if it's got tires or testicles, it's gonna give ya problem(s).............
*roarin*..........LOL
That's like something out of a Lifetime movie
I've had dealings with one small MTSO I can actually envision doing this, scarily enough. Total whack job, bipolar, schizophrenic, whatever she is, it's SCARY.
Glad this all worked out okay for you!
It is supposed to be moving to Lifetime sm
but as far as when it will air, I really don't know as there have been some issues with the transfer between the producers and Bravo. There is an injunction against Lifetime from Bravo to where they cannot air the show until the legal mess gets sorted out, even though the season has been filmed, except for the finale.
I do like Top Chef on Bravo but it comes on the same time as Life on Mars, so I have to catch it on reruns.
lifetime moves are cheesy.
nm
I declawed one and not another.
I took in a kitten back in 1985. She was a big-time scratcher and ruined all my drapes, tore up two sofas, and a door jam. Nothing I did, no alternative scratching areas kept her from tearing up my furniture and climbing up my draperies. I was on the verge of giving her up. Instead, when she was about a year old, I had her declawed. I could tell that it was a different feeling for her, but she adjusted very quickly. She ended up living to the ripe old age of 20 in our house, doing no damage and very loved.
After she died, we took in another kitten from a rescue organization. This one is not declawed, but she has a totally different personality. She is very submissive, very sweet. She never puts out her claws for anything other than stretching briefly in sunspots on the floor. I keep her claws trimmed, and she is satisfied with that. Had she been an incorrigible scratcher like her predecessor, I would have had this cat declawed, too. I can offer a lifetime safe and loving home to cats, but I don't want my things torn up. So I really don't have any problem with declawing when necessary.
My first cat was declawed (sm)
because I lived at home with my mom and he was tearing up her 2-year-old custom-made curtains.
I had it done, stayed at home with him and babied him for a few days, and once he healed, did not seem to realize he didn't have them. He "scratched" the rest of his life with his nubs.
I wasn't going to declaw the second cat, but the first one was "scratching" everything and I guess she couldn't figure out why he could and she couldn't. I did notice, however, that her recovery time was longer (Cat #1 had it done pretty young).
Many years later, we got a kitten when cat #2 was about 11 years old. Cat #2 didn't do much scratching by then, and we were able to train Cat #3 not to scratch. We now have another clawed cat, adopted at age 5. He's a bit of a nuisance with his scratching, but it's not to the point where I'd have to do something. If it gets worse, I'll try the nail caps.
IMO it's a very individual thing between cat and owner. And I agree, I think it's better to do that than to subject the cat to abandonment, if that's the only negative behavior involved.
Have you seen Lisa Williams' show? On Lifetime
She is probably the best I've seen. Truly fascinating.
This is an ongoing thing there, I doubt in our lifetime
we will see any difference. No much tragedy, so much sorrow and like you said about Bill Gates, he and his wife really have their heart in the right spot with all they do with what they have and yet all that money and some good but probably not a dent into what is needed. I spent time in Santo Domingo next to Haiti, probably as poor a spot as you could ever find in this world so I have seen and like I said money taken in and then the money comes up short with miscalculations, etc. Yes, I am cynical and have reason to be because of what I see going on with all this funding the people send and then it goes missing. I hear of stories around my home or other places and I pick and choose and send to those I feel really need it (sob stories for animals, also).
I think cats look beautiful - love pics of cats
They can also be he!! on wheels to live with and a major PITA.
I say this as my dog is barking at a leaf blowing by the front door.....
I declawed a cat and wish I hadn't.
Got new couch. Got new cat. Cat scratched couch. Declawed cat. DH out of work 4 months on disability, made sense to get a puppy, right? Not to the declawed cat, who lost her mind and started urinating in our bed. Also, she could not exercise properly when she couldn't hook those claws to climb, grab toys, etc.
Had to have mine declawed..
I have a Siamese who is very, very...did I mention very stubborn. She started destroying my couch, chairs, etc. I tried all the tricks mentioned below, spray bottle, stomping feet, yelling, double-sided tape, etc., and nothing worked. It just made her more determined to go after my furniture.
So, I eventually broke down and made an appointment for her to be declawed. It did not make her anymore aggressive, mean, etc. She got over the procedure within a couple of days and was fine after that. In fact, she still makes the scratching movements or tries to scratch the furniture years later except she's not ruining anything anymore.
I only got the front paws declawed, and it wasn't too terribly expensive (a lot cheaper than replacing furniture for sure). She is an inside only cat obviously, so we don't have to worry about her needing to defend herself outside or I obviously wouldn't have had this done.
She has had no problems either with behavior or medically since having this done 5-6 years ago. She is a spoiled and quite content cat who still thinks she rules the house front claws or not. So, basically she's happy, and we are happy to not have our house trashed.
I just adopted a declawed cat
who was abandoned. she looks like she has no toes, with floppy little hair tufts and going the wrong directions. Like other poster said, she does not cover her stuff in the litter box (maybe feels she cannot manage it) and her attitude is so defensive to the other cats, even after a month, and i wonder if it isn't because she feels so defenseless. I sure would not do it to a cat.
Maybe she is defensive because she was declawed
And being approached by possibly feral cats, no wonder she is wary of your other cat. I wonder if she just doesnt have litter box issues, regardless of being declawed. Maybe bad litter habits are what got her put out. I just think her being declawed may not have anything to do with her issues. Maybe, but, IMO, pobably not.
Personally, I would let it ride. Cost a man his job and reputation for a lifetime over this?
And unless you like to see your husband upset, I'd not say anything to him if I were you.
I learned at about the age of 20 how to give a look that made people shudder when they offended me. That is enough for me in situations like this which I consider a 2 on a scale of 1-10 in the sexual harrassment department.
Do you realize the resulting damage you will do if you take a 2 second event into discussion with white shirts?
I used to work for a finance company many in an earlier lifetime, sm
At that time, I never saw anything repossessed. However, they would guarnishee people's wages. The first thing you need to do is to contact the lenders to work something out. Sometimes they used to refinance the loans to lower the payments. Or, you could contact somebody like Consumer Credit Counseling Service (be careful and find a legitimate company). They can work out deals with your creditors. Be prepared that this will not help your credit rating, but the companies usually work with you if you are up front and communicate with them. At least they did back when I was working with them. The worst thing to do is to avoid them.
On the other hand, if you financed the furniture through the store, it could be that they would repossess. I know they do with cars.
What I was referring to was taking out a loan and putting down household goods as collateral, which is what people did when I was working for the finance company.
Lifetime movies where the husband has an affair and leaves
aaa
My thing is Lifetime Movie Network movies...sm
I love most of the movies on this channel. I could sit and watch them all day.
I have mine declawed, never again. I had leather
furniture that he was ruining (he had 32 claws) so I had him declawed. He went outside to sit on the front porch in the sun occasionally. Two dogs killed him because he couldn't climb a tree. He was the sweetest, beautiful Himalayan mix, talked to me all the time.
Cats
My only suggestion would be to have set feeding times for the cats, that way you can monitor which cat is eating what. Just a thought -
Although my cats have started to eat my dogs' food, so I guess I shouldn't be one to give out advice!
cats
Iams has been notorious for cruel treatment of their animals in research - you might want to switch brands.
cats
I have the same problem, getting my cat declawed tomorrow. She has clawed through the leather.
Cats
My sister uses Soft Paws, which you glue on to a cat's claws. She said that they last about 6 weeks. My cat loves to jump on counters and scratch chair legs. I have used Sticky Paws, which is a double-sided tape. I have also heard of products that you can spray on furniture that makes it undesirable, though I haven't tried that myself so I'm not sure if they work.
Cats
What cat food was he on there is a HUGE recall of many many brands of cat food - they changed the source of their wheat gluten and cats and dogs are dying from liver or renal failure - check it out on MSN or CNN . The same manufacturer makes about 60 different brands.
Val Curtiss Boston Terriers Just Bostons
cats
We never had a cat till the kids brought home an abandoned one. He is just like one of the family. I like everybody else would spend money I dont have on him.
Cats
My sister uses Soft Paws with her cats and really likes them. She said that the Soft Paws will fall off about every 6 weeks due to growth of their claws.
We have no more cats
You are going off on ME because I was looking for some suggestions to get HER to understand the destruction her pet has caused.
If it was anyone else but family, I would have shot the dog without hesitation.
As a matter of fact, I have used the pellet gun to pop him in the rear several times. That only keeps him away for a few days at a time.
You can say what you want but if I just went out and shot her dog, that WOULD be like killing her kid to her.
My husband's sister is more important than the cats. We loved our cats but my kids have one aunt. Only one.
Thank God for no more cats
Like I said watch your kids around the chow as the older they get the nastier and more protective they get and are much more aggresive than a lot of other dogs. Even if it were my sister, if her dog did that and she would not accept responsibility for the dog's actions -- would not accept it. My animals are members of my family (I have no kids just step) and my dog is part chow but if she had ever shown agressive behavior in her past 16+ years or had killed a couple of cats, I would have had her put down and hated doing it but would have felt it was necessary. Again, if another dog did that to one of my two cats -- either family member or not -- something would be done especially if it happens more than once. Just my thinking -- again you were asking for suggestions just don't like the obvious ones. Cannot treat this situation nice and sweet like ice cream and cake as it is ugly.
These are cats though
not doggies so dominance in the cattie category? I don’t know but still my sensitive one.
Cats
I had to laugh when I read your post, I have often told my husband that if I had to chose, he'd have to leave. LOL.
3 cats and a dog
Cats names are Bailey, Max, and Scooter. My German Shepherd is Kodiak.
Six cats...sm
Fidget (combination of freaking midget, small when he was born), Dogfood (don't know why, hubby named her), Mother One Eye (obvious, she is the mother of Fidget and has one eye), Big (outside male cat, named after Carrie's Big on SATC), Ellie Ann (she actually looks like an alien cat, changed up the name a bit), and Mr.Pinkas (huge, longhaired boy, loves to sleep in the attic area and comes in with pink insulation all over his backside, hubby said no way to calling him Mr Pink A$$, so Pinkas it is).
cats
 I don't know much about San Francisco....probably too high a risk to let the cats out by themselves. Watching the "real thing" is not quite enough for the felines....I mean, when you got one that can jump 12 feet in the air and snag a red bird (cardinal), beats up moles, chipmunks, and cottomouths (snakes)....that's Napster....I've seen my friend's cats nearly hurt themselves trying to go through a plate glass window after the birds, chipmunks, et al.....it's such a tease. .I've had many, many cats and they would walk for miles with me...Fioma was the best......Right now Napster (12 lbs) and Zeus (120 lb Great Pyreness dog) walk together with me in the morning....I get the most curious looks and smiles from the kids on the school bus seeing the 2 of them together. If you can manage some time to take your cat out to explore and play in the grass (there are leashes for them) you'll find a happier cat. Napster won't even use a litter box...meows at the door or window by my desk to go out. Remember, you don't own them....they own you....you're just a custodian of these sweet beings..Cat.
cats
Just for you San Fran.....Congrats on your new rescue kitty! What's it's name?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8
re: cats
Do you have one of those cat towers? I know they're kind of expensive so I haven't bought any for my cat. What about a bookshelf that they can climb up on? Also my cat loves feathers tied to a string and hanging from doorknobs. She bats at them constantly. My cat tends to sleep all day cause she doesn't have a playmate except for me so she plays when she wants to when everyone is home at night.
cats
 I'm so sorry about this; I am now very sad. I love cats/kittens so much, even though my husband, son, and I are all allergic - only my daughter is not. I will pray for this special kitten. This gets to my very soul.
cats
I, unfortunately, am allergic to cats, as is my husband and son. My daughter is the only one who is not allergic to cats. On a recent outing to dinner in the evening recently, a home we walked by after parking our vehicle had Halloween decorations up, with a live black cat sitting on the porch and looking at me with its glorious green eyes. How fitting for the season. I love it! Cats are so very agile and preternatural, absolutely gorgeous and fascinating to behold. I love them all, even though I cannot be a cat owner. I have a beautiful blue merle sheltie.
outside cats
Please please try to keep you cat indoors. The #1 kiiler of cats is the out-of-doors. They will pee on anything to let you know they are sick. When my daughter was born, my siamese pooped in the doorway of her bedroom every morning for yrs. You can learn to live with it. My sense of smell is totally gone. How old is your cat? Male cats are extremely prone to GU problems. Oh well.
cats
I am so very sorry for the difficult situation that you are now dealing with. I am giving you and your precious cat a long-distance hug.
I absolutely love cats and all of their special qualities, but I, my husband, and one of my children are allergic to them, so I have never had one as a part of our family.
I will pray that you can muster the strength to get through this. God and his angels will take care of this special creature.
Whenever one of our dogs had passed, it was so very difficult, of course. We embrace and so very strongly love them when they are with us, but it hurts so much when it is their time.
cats
I had a cat that loved to catch and play with mice. . One night while I was asleep, the cat decided to play with a mouse it had caught in my bed. . . It is not fun to wake up with a mouse running around on you with a cat jumping up and down trying to catch it. .
no cats here, but....sm
wow, down to only 5 lbs. maybe she (female?) just doesn't feel good and wants to be held and comforted, kind of like your kids when they don't feel good and just want their mommy.
sorry, no cats here, just dogs, but feel for you.
I have to keep my cats out from under the bed, too - sm
but for a different reason... I discovered one of them was peeing under there. Not to mention it was a handy place to run whenever she sensed a major coming-out coming soon! I use the space under the bed for storage anyway, so simply blocked it all off with all my junk: Duffel bags, skate bags, sleeping bags, boxes, large purses I never use, etc. Now neither cat can get under the bed at all.
For your problem, you could try a couple things. One is to get a 'platform' bed. Then the cat can't get to the box springs. (You can even do away with the box spring altogether - don't need one with a platform bed.) If you don't want a platform bed, you could get creative with some pieces of wood, like maybe 1-inch or less thick x whatever width will close the gap, and make a border that goes around the base of the bed. If you use dust-ruffles, they'd cover it up. If not, you could paint, wallpaper, or (?) the wood and make a pretty faux base for the bed that's cat-proof.
OR... you could go to Ikea or some other store that sells cool, space-saving stuff, and get those drawers/boxes/containers, etc. made for using space under the bed. You could create a lot of storage space under there, and make it impossible for the cat to get to the mattress.
not all cats pay off...
we had 2 cats. The good one (George) died. 6 months after George died, we were overrun by mice. They got in our oven and peed and pooed all over the insulation (?) in it. We cleaned that up so it wouldn't smell when we turned the oven on and hired an exterminator at $40 per month to keep the mice away. I can't believe what a loser cat we got - will not keep away the mice, sometimes pees and poos on things (because of seizures) and he doesn't want to be petted.
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