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Since this is the topic of discourse today.
Heres an informative thread of things you can do instead of declawing your cat!
(PSA: DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT!!)
Heres an informative thread of things you can do instead of declawing your cat!
(PSA: DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT!!)
First and foremost, training. Most cats are generally receptive to being trained to not scratch furniture. Get your cat a scratcher, this can be a post, a cat tree, or even those little cardboard scratchers for something cheaper and more accessible.
The more options the better.
The more options the better.
You can also make scratching posts yourself if you are crafty with some wood, glue, and sisal rope. (or any good scratching texture your cat likes)
I am also sure its probably possible to DIY your own cardboard scratchers as well.
I recommend looking up tutorials.
I am also sure its probably possible to DIY your own cardboard scratchers as well.
I recommend looking up tutorials.
With this, your cat now has their own place to scratch! Now when you see your cat scratching furniture or something you shouldn't you can redirect them to their scratchers (you can even place their paws on it as well) and though they probably won't scratch immediately-
They will typically catch on pretty fast. It'd probably even help encourage them by giving them a treat when you see them scratching the right thing!
If you are still having troubles try moving their scratchers in front of or nearby where they tend to scratch.
If you are still having troubles try moving their scratchers in front of or nearby where they tend to scratch.
Some other options are getting scratch guards/furniture protectors which are essentially plastic covers you put over areas of your couches chairs or walls that your cat likes to scratch. This will protect the area and doesnt look too bad.
Theres other ways you can sorta diy a similar method, I have heard of using double sided sticky tape or aluminium foil.
There are also some things you spray on areas your cat scratches that can deter your cats but I cant speak to how good or effective those methods are.
There are also some things you spray on areas your cat scratches that can deter your cats but I cant speak to how good or effective those methods are.
I think its important to note that you should not spray your cats with water when you see them misbehaving.
It does not help, all it does is create fear and that can be damaging to you and your cats relationship. Stick to positive reinforcement and redirection.
It does not help, all it does is create fear and that can be damaging to you and your cats relationship. Stick to positive reinforcement and redirection.
If the sharpness of their claws are an issue especially when it comes to getting scratched yourself I suggest getting some proper cat nail clippers and clipping them yourself. (plenty of groomers and vets can also do this for you too though)
How to trim your cats nails!
To expose the your cats nail place your index finger on top of you cars toe and your thumb below, when you squeeze gently the nail will extend. This does not hurt, but your cat might not like you playing around with their paws.
To expose the your cats nail place your index finger on top of you cars toe and your thumb below, when you squeeze gently the nail will extend. This does not hurt, but your cat might not like you playing around with their paws.
Once the nail is exposed you can see that at the base of the claw it is thicker and you may see a little bit of pink flesh inside. Thar is the quick. Do not trim down to the quick, that will hurt your cat.
Trim closer to the tip, avoiding the quick.
Trim closer to the tip, avoiding the quick.
Use proper cat nail clippers cause cats nails are made up of several layers of keratin, when you use something like human clippers or scissors this ends up not cutting cleanly and splintering the layers and might just end up making the claws sharper and uncomforable.
As with most things teaching your cat to tolerate nail clipping is best taught when they are young, and that will ensure that you should not have any issues trimming their nails in the future.
Most vets and groomers may offer services to do it for you if you can't.
Most vets and groomers may offer services to do it for you if you can't.
Its more of a last resort but nail caps are also an option. Nail caps are a thin cap with dulled tips that you can pop over your cats nails that will make it so they can't destroy anything but still have general use of their claws. The downsides to this is that generally-
they can be distressing to put on your cat especially if you are doing it yourself so if your cat does not like being held or having their paws touched its not going to be a pleasant experience for the both of you. I also cant speak to how it feels for a cat to wear them.
Some vets you can ask to put the nail caps on for you if you don't think you can do it yourself.
Theres a lot of info and myths out there about nail caps that kinda puts it up in the air about how great of an option they are but in the end its 100x better than declawing.
Theres a lot of info and myths out there about nail caps that kinda puts it up in the air about how great of an option they are but in the end its 100x better than declawing.
Generally after a short while the nail caps will shed off because cats nails naturally shed on their own, you can buy more or find them again and replace them.
I would suggest looking them up and researching before you decide this is what you want to do for your cat.
I would suggest looking them up and researching before you decide this is what you want to do for your cat.
If your cat scratches you a lot in play (or biting) this could be because they think hands are toys. Generally this is something you should teach kittens not to do. (but im guilty of it myself 
)
You can use toys and kickers to redirect their play away from your hand.
)You can use toys and kickers to redirect their play away from your hand.
The most important thing you need to remember that scratching is inevitable. Scratching is natural activity that all cats need to do, no matter how well you train your cats they are probably going to scratch something they shouldnt every now and then. That should be expected.
If you cannot accept that it is going to happen, you probably arent suited to have a cat!
So either accept that or please do not get one!
So either accept that or please do not get one!
I have seen someone say that declawing is okay because cats hunt wildlife, and I wanted to address this here too because this is a really awful take.
First of all, if you dont want your cat killing wildlife, don't let your cat outside!!
First of all, if you dont want your cat killing wildlife, don't let your cat outside!!
It is probably the simplist safest fix for this issue!!!
But second of all, declawing a cat would not keep it from hunting and killing wildlife, though cruelly hindered by being declawed they very much still have use of their teeth and usually back claws if not also taken out.
But second of all, declawing a cat would not keep it from hunting and killing wildlife, though cruelly hindered by being declawed they very much still have use of their teeth and usually back claws if not also taken out.
This is for some reason an unpopular opinion but you should not be letting your cats outside in the first place. The world is not like its used to, and neither are cats. Letting your cat outside can drastically lower your cats lifespan and expose them to several dangers.
Not only is it very dangerous for your cats, it also hurts the ecosystem. Cats do hunt and kill local wildlife and because outdoor cats are so prevalent this can lead to seriously dwindling local wildlife population.
Anyways, tangent aside. Don't declaw your cat. Declawing is an incredible cruel and abusive procedure that harms your cat for life, and there is no excuse to declaw your cat.
There is plenty of information out there on exactly how the procedure is done, and why it is awful.
There is plenty of information out there on exactly how the procedure is done, and why it is awful.
