Posted by mickey4paws on October 05, 2002 at 12:22:49:
In Reply to: 3 Year Old Domestic Short Tail Cat posted by GOTCHATLC on September 02, 2002 at 08:43:34:
:We don't want Keeble to ruin our new furniture so does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks! And has he gotten too old (so to speak) to have him declawed now?
Please, please, please do not declaw your cat! It is an extremely cruel and painful procedure, which is actually 10 separate painful amputations of the last digit of each toe. Many declawed cats become biters and/or avoid the litterbox. What will you do if this happens to your cat? 1 in 5 cats will have some sort of problem from declawing.
It is essential to offer your cat surfaces to scratch on that are more enticing to him than your furniture. I highly recommend getting him a tall, sturdy scratching post. Put it in front of the spot where he scratches on the furniture. When he uses it, praise him. Also, rub catnip on the post. It is also essential to buy several of the cardboard scratching pads, and preferably one called the Alpine Scratcher which is a carboard one on an incline. Place this pads close to the spots where you cat sleeps and takes naps. Cats like a good scratch when they wake up. There are also plastic caps to go over the cat's claws called Soft Paws (www.softpaws.com). You can also clip your cat's claws blunt so any damage he does is minimal. Also, while your cat is learning to scratch where appropriate, cover the furniture.
Hope this helps,
Lauren
