Please don't declaw! Cats NEED to scratch...the trick is to make sure they have adequate "allowed" scratching surfaces. For us, that included a tall, sturdy post - one that they won't just pull over on themselves that allows them to stretch up and get a good pull. The stickypaws strips on the furniture worked wonders for us, too. A lot of cats I've seen love the cardboard scratchers...they're just slabs of sturdy cardboard you can get pretty cheap at pet supply stores.
2006-09-25 09:21:33
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answer #1
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answered by p.helen 2
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We used a combination:
Cat nip in the scratching post, to promote the scratching in the pole, and there is a spray that has a smell that cats do not like, we used this in the furniture that the cat used to scratch. Some people warned us about using the spray gun with water, because the cat would connect the water with us, and will stop scratching just in our prescence, so if you do this be carefull that the cat is not aware of your presecence. Declawing is absolutely not an option, the claws are a big part os a cats personality, if you don't like claws, buy a dog or a rabbit or another animal with different characteristics.
there is an answer to every problem, remeber that in a certain way having a pet is like having a baby, you can always educate them, but there is no recipe, each one has a different personality and character.
Good luck.
2006-09-25 21:57:50
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answer #2
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answered by chancro 2
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Don't do a declaw, find a vet that will do a tendon sergury instead, it's a less painful surgery for cats and just better all around. Try buying the sticky pads from PetSmart or something. Purchase your cats scratching posts or scratching pads. A spray bottle will work well also. You have to make sure that all the members in the household do it though, there has to be that consitancy, and do it EVERY time, not just when you feel like it.
2006-09-25 13:16:30
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answer #3
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answered by comelycrush 2
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Consider keeping nails trimmed to minimize damage to furniture.
Recommend purchase or make a scratching post with a 2x4, base, and reminants of carpet or rope. Put scratching post(s) nearby - redirect your cat to the post when they start to scratch.
For deterence, use water or rolled up newspaper - however this is rather ineffective in training the cat to not scratch the furniture.
2006-09-26 04:11:12
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answer #4
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answered by Willy S 2
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What we did with our kittens was buy the sticky pads at the pet store and put them on the couch so when they went to scratch they got the sticky on their paws. Also, I bought a round toy that has the ball in it they chase and the center is that tough corrogated cardboard with catnip you can dribble in it for them to scratch on. We redirect them from furniture to the toy or the hanging scratch post. Some people will suggest you buy Soft paws. These are plastic caps that you put on the cat every 2 weeks or so as they outgrow them so that they can't scratch. My cat bit them off in a matter of a day from putting them on. I put them on again and he took them back off. They are a good idea, if the pet will leave them on!!!
2006-09-25 04:31:58
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answer #5
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answered by rhodeislandbabe2000 1
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1) Please do not de-claw unless it is your last resort. When you de-claw a cat the nail is surgiclly ripped off of the fingertip
2) the gloves are humiliating and you cat will hate you for it, those gloves are only meant for wear when you have to handle them. To leave them on all the time will cause excess sweating & dehydration (cats, like dogs sweat from their paws)
3) Double stick tape works
4) Cats hate HATE the smell of corriander (cilantro), buy or make a liquid spray from this, when kitty goes to scratch, move him/her and spray that area of the couch the intoduce kitty to it. Also buy or make things that are more appealing than your furniture. Cat trees, scratching posts, old boxes with a couple of hols cut out. Keep you cats interest in other things besides your valuables
5) if you want to trim kitties nail, just snip the tip, no further, cut the nails too short and you will have cut off part of your cats finger
2006-09-26 07:56:32
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answer #6
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answered by cisco_cantu 6
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first you have to get them something else to scratch like a 2x4 covered with old or scrap carpet. then screw it to a base of wood that will keep it from turning over. now the hard part; when they start doing your furniture, show them what they can scratch on and be firm if that doesn't work, have a water gun handy and squirt them. it takes about a week depending how smart your cat is but it works good luck vw
2006-09-26 10:01:44
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answer #7
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answered by godess492006 2
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ugh. De-clawing cats is cruel.
Buy a water pistol. Then shoot 'em when they touch the furniture. Unfortunately, the hard part is that the cats shouldn't SEE you doing it. That way, they'll think that if they touch the furniture (or go some place they shouldn't go to), they'll think that something's wrong and they'll start avoiding it.
If they see you, they might not make the connection that they're doing something wrong, and they won't know why you're being mean to them.
Some older cats might make the connection of doing something wrong after awhile if you grab them and yell at them several times. Kittens won't know what's going on.
2006-09-25 07:14:04
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answer #8
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answered by Balk 6
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I like the scratching post idea. It will give your kitten something else to scratch and could be entertaining for your kitten.
2006-09-25 20:09:15
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answer #9
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answered by angelgirl3574018 2
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For the love... DO NOT get your kitty declawed. The procedure is very painful for the kitten. Hurts years after... Imagine someone amputating each of your fingers at the first knuckle part (by your nail.) OUCH is right. You can...
A.) get a spray bottle with water or small water gun.
(cats will scurry away after you spray them a few times.. after that if they are doing something wrong... just show them the bottle/gun and they will stop)
B.) get soft nails from your local pet shop. They are little plastic things that go over the cats nails. (much more humane than amputation)
C.) Remember to trim your kitty's nails periodically. Not to short!!! Cut just above the quick (pink/red area of the nail.) just trim the white off. You might need another person to hold kitty while you do this.
Good luck!!
2006-09-26 06:56:33
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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