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Author Topic:   scratching
CrazyQuaker
Member

Posts: 18
From:Austin, TX USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-27-2003 08:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for CrazyQuaker     Edit/Delete Message
My cat has all 4 paws declawed (I adopted him that way) I was wondering if he would benefit from a scratching post even though he has no claws, because sometimes I see him "scratching" at the side of the couch. Should I get him one?

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3kittiesinhome
New Member

Posts: 5
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-27-2003 09:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 3kittiesinhome     Edit/Delete Message
We had our male cats declawed in the front about a year ago. We often see them scratching at the scratching post as if they had claws. They also do this to the corners of the walls and other places in the house. I think it is mainly a natural reaction. You could always buy a scratching post with a ledge on it so your kittie has a place to lay and play. I know my kitties still love theirs.

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Newton the Cat
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Posts: 102
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-27-2003 01:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Newton the Cat     Edit/Delete Message
I am sorry your cat is declawed. It is a mini amputation in my opinion and can cause problems later on. Make sure your cat cannot get outside. If he gets away he will have no means to defend himself. And your poor guy still has the instinctual urge to scratch. That is something that cannot be trained out of them. I would get him a little post. Or you even get supplies for yourself at Menards and build one. I just built Newton a 32 inch high post. It is almost like the one Dr. Fosters has. Just a straight up and down one with carpet and a base. It costed me 27 bucks to build. The one from Dr. Fosters was 79.00. Also rub a little catnip on it too. He will enjoy the stretch sensation even though he cannot actually claw it.

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CrazyQuaker
Member

Posts: 18
From:Austin, TX USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-27-2003 08:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for CrazyQuaker     Edit/Delete Message
Can you tell me what type of problems it could cause him? (I want to know what to look out for) He never goes outside unless it's on the back patio with me and my husband. He shows no interest in the outdoors, he just likes to be wherever the action is. He rules the house, and in my opinion he has a much better life without his claws than the ones with, who are kept outside all day. (I think he'd agree!) Thanks for the advice on the scratching post, I think I will make him one with a ledge.

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Newton the Cat
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Posts: 102
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-27-2003 08:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Newton the Cat     Edit/Delete Message
Mine has claws and he is indoors. He does not touch my furniture. I have trained him on a scratching post and I put catnip on it, I play with him around it. He is not even allowed on my couch. He gets ignored when near the couch and gets lots of attention and praise when he is near his scratching post. Scratching inappropriately is a behavior problem, one that can be corrected with care and proper training. There are even devices that are designed for teaching cats that furniture is not suitable for scratching. Most of the problems that declawed cats have usually are when they are first done. It is painful for the kitty, the vet even advises you to use newspaper in his litter after the surgery because it would hurt him to scratch. Some cats even start to associate pain with using the litter, so they start having peeing problems outside the box. They get can get infections and as I said if they get outdoors and are lost from you, they cannot defend themselves if they get attacked. Some countries have banned the surgery. There are even some vets that won't perform it. Basically declawing is for the benefit of the human. It doesn't benefit the cat at all. Just think how would you feel if someone removed your fingernails and toenails. It is the same for the cat. If you are interested I will post more info tomorrow.

NTC

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CrazyQuaker
Member

Posts: 18
From:Austin, TX USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-28-2003 07:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for CrazyQuaker     Edit/Delete Message
Well, Dudley was declawed as a young kitten, he was only a few months old when we adopted him. He is now 2 years old and has never had any problems with his paws at all. Since having him, I personally don't see much of a problem with a kitten being declawed as long as they will be indoors only. But that's just my opinion...

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nern

Moderator

Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 09-28-2003 08:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nern     Edit/Delete Message
Im not trying to start a debate but wanted to clear up a few things....
There is more involved in declawing than just removing the nail...part of the bone is removed as well. Here is a link with a drawn diagram of the claw which shows the part that is removed during surgery: http://maxshouse.com/Truth%20About%20Declawing.htm

The above site also describes the procedure and some of the complications that can occur after surgery. If you cat has not had any problems so far and its been 2 years since the surgery was done...I don't think it is likely that he will have any problems in the future.

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CrazyQuaker
Member

Posts: 18
From:Austin, TX USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-28-2003 10:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for CrazyQuaker     Edit/Delete Message
I don't doubt it is a painful procedure. But so is a hysterectomy, and my dog has been spayed.

I'm not trying to start a debate either, but sometimes I think this declawing issue gets a little out of hand. Actually, very out of hand. About 3 years ago I went into the local animal shelter to adopt a kitten that I had grown attached to in the 3 prior visits I made there. He was still a kitten, but one of the older ones there. He had these beautiful blue eyes and was so affectionate, I just fell in love with him. When I was asked if I planned on having him declawed I told them I was not yet sure - so they would not allow me to adopt him. I went home and gave it lots of thought. 2 days later I was back at the shelter having decided not to have him declawed - only to learn he had been euthanized. Okay, so the same shelter who would not allow me to adopt a kitten because I was unsure if I would consider having him declawed KILLED him bacause they had too many cats. I certainly think Dudley would take the declaw he got as a kitten any day over the alternative.

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fleafly
Member

Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 10-01-2003 02:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for fleafly     Edit/Delete Message
Declawing is better than dying but not being declawed and living is even better! When I was 10 we had our cat declawed. My mom and I thought it was a simple procedure, we had never had a cat declawed before. When we went to pick him up at the vets he had these little white bandages on and they were covered in blood at the bottom. My mom and I were horrified. Our poor cat was in so much pain and he just looked so pitiful. I am mad that the vet didn't fully describe the process to us. Neither of us will ever put another cat through that unless it is medically necessary for the cat.

I think people that declaw cats b/c they scratch the couch are selfish. My coffee table has some scratches on it, but so what. I'm not vain enough to put my cat through that horrible pain b/c of it.

I have heard of a lot of cats having severe behavior problems after being declawed. They start peeing outside of the box and become less personable. They resent their owner for putting them through that pain.
It is illegal in a lot of countries to declaw cats. Some communities in the US are adopting similar laws, I heard about a place in California that outlawed it. I totally agree, it should be illegal. The procedure is equivalent to cutting your finger off at the first joint, not just removing the nail. It's like losing the end of your finger. Sounds pretty painful to me.

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Cat
Member

Posts: 141
From:Nova Scotia, Canada
Registered: May 2003

posted 10-01-2003 05:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Cat     Edit/Delete Message
I've cured cat scratching by putting clear packing tape ont heir favourite scratching places. it doesn't feel the same on their paws.

Cats scratching is a form of releiving stress and energy.

There are many other ways to deter cats from scratching. Its just a matter of finding the right one for the kitty.

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