cats scratching

Declaw or train to use scratching posts?

I've heard plenty of my friends declaw their cats. I don't think it is a good idea though. That is just my personal opinion. Without claws, they can't defend themselves, nor they can climb as easy. It's just like making them less cat like lol.

Declawing them actually causes back problems in later life.

Why do cats have the need to scratch things in the first place?
I know rats and mice need to shorten their never stop growing teeth, but do cats need to shorten their claws? lol

Cats claw stuff because it keeps their claws in shape, removes the outer husk. They also claw to leave their scent. They have scent glands in their feet. Plus it just feels good, they like the long stretch when they claw, that is why a tall scratching post works best. One ,covered with sisal is best to use rather than one covered with carpet. The cat does not know the difference between the carpet on the post and the carpet on your floor. Carpet is carpet.

Another option is to use soft paws, or any other nail cap type marketed under a different brand name.

I wont have or adopt a declawed cat.

Onyx I probably would adopt one that was declawed (it's not the cats fault it was maimed) but I would NEVER have it done myself. I have no experience with the Soft Paws but I have heard of them. I have always just trained the cats to use their scratching posts.

This clawing behavior originated in the wild partly for exercise (sink those claws in and PULL!), but mostly to mark terratory. Scent glands in the paws would "mark" the various trees and such in the cat's territory, and by reaching high up on the tree to scratsh they were trying to impress intruders with what a big cat they are. In many ways, they are just transfering this instinct to their indoor terratory.

I have also found that cats have different preferences in the kind of surface they scratch on. With my first two cats, one prefered loop-pile carpeting, the other had a taste for bare wood. I took a clean piece of split fireplace wood and mounted it upright on a sturdy base, then fastened a strip of loop-pile carpet on one side, left bare wood on the second side, and left the bark on the third. Take your pick!. A few cats seem to prefer horizontal scratching to vertical. A cat I had who was like that seemed to enjoy a small braided rug at my parents house. So when my parents passed and we sold the house, I brought the rug home for her to use. Horizontal scratchers who do not seem to care for those coregated cardboard scratchers might like an inexpensive "straw" doormat. Watch to see what sort of surface your cat seems to prefer and give them a similar surface on their post, and you will have better luck getting them to use that and not the furniture.

Your first paragraph reinforced what I had said earlier about the scent glands and marking. Also about the long stretch. I have had really good luck with sisal on a cat post but I like your multi-surface post idea! Thanks.

I will not be de-clawing my cat. Even though he does not go outside, I am afraid that if he gets out one day he will not have the means to defend himself. He uses his scratching post and we have never had a problem with him scratching or chewing on anything that he isn't supposed to.

None of my cats are declawed ... I don't understand why one would go against what is natural to an animal. Just my personal opinion though.

The others beat me to it on the explanation for scratching so I can't add more to that part of the discussion.

However, I will say that I have 4 cats, 3 are true siblings (same mom and dad) .. and all 4 have their own scratching preferences.

A comment about the sisal ... if you have the rope sisal scratching post, have you experienced them easily unraveling? All of ours do so within the first month. Pet supply companies do not make things (scratching posts and toys) durable for cats. All my cats are naturally strong and easily tear and pull at things will playing or scratching. So, we'll have to switch to carpet scratching posts.

Another problem I have is that the pure black cat (not related to the other 3) likes to scratch/pick at things she knows she isn't supposed to. We've had her for almost 11 years now ... she knows what NO means and yet is obstinate enough to do what she wants. She loves to pick at the leather chairs we have in the TV room. I've used the water bottle on her, tapped her on the nose with a strong "NO", and have used all the anti-scratching sprays. I've even used cayenne pepper rubbed onto the chairs. Absolutely nothing stops her from picking at the chairs. We can't have any nice furniture because of her. Even though we've provided and encouraged a scratching post from kittenhood, she still insists on picking at furniture (she does occasionally use the post when she feels like it though).

pffft! Sometimes cats are worse than the terrible twos and teenagers put together! LOL

I think it's absolutely cruel to declaw a cat. Does anyone know how much torture this brings to a cat? It's inhumane and the practice should be ended immediately.

The best option is to just teach the cat not to scratch furniture and get him or her scratching posts, toys or other endless items out there. My fiancee is vehemently opposed to it and so am I. I couldn't imagine doing this to our little guys.

I say do not de claw. It is totally unnecessary. Have your cats nails cut once a month by the vet or a groomer.

I do this, and my cats' nails are never a problem.

The problem with scratch pads is that they really do not trim the nails of a cat. In fact, in my opinion, they tend to make the nails sharper.

You should still have scratch pads for the benefit of the cat, but not for your benefit.

I agree with footballtim; the best way to deal with kitty's claws is to get them trimmed every few weeks by a professional groomer or your vet.

A vet or groomer will typically charge from $5-$10 for the service, and it's well worth it. Scratch pads don't trim claws. Declawing, on the other hand, is like removing a finger joint; it's painful and disfiguring for the cat.

A simple nail trim every month will do the trick!

Declawing the cats would actually be harmful for them in the future . It would be great if they have nail cap for them. Though i find that Bengal kittens are the most well behaved among all .