How do you get a kitten to stop attacking the older cat in the house?

Question

The older cat had been warming up to the kitten, but lately she has been particularly frisky. He is declawed and she is not. The older cat was declawed as a kitten, but he is my husband's cat and I've never done this to my other cats. I have been really resistant to declawing her, but think this may be the only way. He is so miserable and I think the kitten hurts him when she tries to play. Has anyone declawed their cat? If so, is it as bad as I think it is?

Answer 1

I once saw a show where declawing was explained. I always thought it was simply a matter of removing the claws - unfortunately for the cat, it's not nearly that cut and dried.

In short, the process of declawing a cat involves removing what could best be described as it's knuckles ... the equivalent to the removal of our human first joints in our fingers. Knowing that declawing a cat takes away it's ability to defend itself, I wasn't a proponent of the practice in the first place; after hearing about the removal of their knuckles, I definitely understood why the practice is banned in the U.K.

This site explains the process of declawing far better than I just did:

http://www.skittlescam.com/info/declawing.php

You didn't say the ages of your older cat and kitten. I've introduced kittens into older cat households, so I can relate to what you and your older cat are going through.

Part of what you need to understand is that with your kitten, it's not all "play" as you may think. It is an intrinsic part of the cat psyche, when introduced to an older cat, to test the waters for possible Alpha status. This goes back to big cats in the wild honing in on the territories of older, ailing Alphas. In our domesticated home environments, usually our older cats quickly teach the little tykes - usually by way of a few forceful swats - that they'd best mind their manners and wait their turn for Alpha status nicely. Unfortunately for your older cat, being declawed, he does not have that ability ... which is why he is so miserable.

Here are some better informed explanations of cat behavior:

http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/natural_cat_behavior/cats_view_of_territory.html

That is pretty much where my knowledge ends. I can only offer up gut instinct suggestions from here on:

If I were you, I would intercede on behalf of your older cat whenever kitty gets too boisterous or whenever you suspect that she is doing the "I'm going to be Alpha, move over" thing with him.

To help her work out her aggressive kitty behavior, I'd stock the house with lots of challenging toys that she can chase and swat at. With one of our boisterous tykes, we found out that simply attaching strong strings to toys and then hanging them on doorknobs at just a wee stretch beyond her reach was good for hours of aggression releasing play ... she'd wear herself out to a nice, contented, sleepy calm.

Also, there are so many " support " sites out there on the web that specialize in providing helpful advice to cat owners with unique situations ... where you could get input from people far smarter than myself. A Google or Ask.com search should get you pointed in the right direction.

Yahoo Groups has a number of support groups ... you might actually find someone with a similar challenge who could give you some input and advice:

http://pets.dir.groups.yahoo.com/dir/Science/Biology/Animals/Mammals/Cats?show_groups=1

I think it's great that you are showing concern about your older cat's quality of life ... and I also think it's wonderful of you to first want to know about declawing before taking any action. Best of Luck to you and your pet family !!

Answer 2

I've never had any of my cats declawed. They have always been good about not scratching the furniture. They prefer to go out on the deck or scratch cardboard boxes.
As for the kitten bothering the older cat, I have had this happen several times with new kitties. The older cat is still able to get him in a headlock and bite at him. And the kitten will grow out of this rough play eventually.

Answer 3

I feel about declawing the same way you do. I hate it. The kitten will grow up but it will take a while. Believe it or not, cats usually sort this mess out better if we stay out of it. We don't speak cat and just confuse the issue. Have patience.

Answer 4

Declawing your cat means they have no way of defending themselves. I would not declaw them if you allow them to go outside. However it's up to the owners decision. As far as the kitten, they can be hyper and act like they are just as big as the older cats. It's their way of showing they can defend themselves. They will eventually grow out of that as they get older.

Answer 5

Clawed and declawed cats can live happily together so the kitten does not need to be declawed. I would check every day or every other to be sure the kitten's nails are not too long or pointy and possibly injure the other cat (or you, or your children).

She will continue to bug her older brother just because she wants to play and the older cat would rather she just disappear!
Things will settle down and he will get her in line eventually.

Answer 6

Kittens claws need to be trimmed often. If they are scratching and ripping flesh or furniture then they are too long! When they are trimmed they are blunt and harmless and won't do any damage to your older cat. Kittens are naturally frisky - make sure she has lots of interactive toys and cat trees and condos to climb and swing from!

Please do not declaw her! The surgery can have devastating results. I've been doing cat rescue for several years and have seen many cats harmed from this surgery - to the point that euthanasia was the only way to put kitty out of their constant pain.

Two great articles to read about why claws are so important to cats are:

Think Twice Before You Declaw
http://stevedalepetworld.com/images/stories/declawing.pdf

Why Cats Need Claws
http://www.oahs.org/pdf/WhyCatsNeedTheirClaws.pdf#search=%22%22%3AWhy%20Cats%20Need%20Claws%22%22

Also, please consider these stats about how many cats end up with behavioral problems after declawing and end up relinquished from the home or euthanised:

*Published 2/1/03 on CourierPostOnline.com, "Eighty percent of the cats that are surrendered that are declawed are euthanized because they have a behavioral problem…. Declawed cats frequently become biters and also stop using litter boxes… One or the other…,” said William Lombardi shelter director, Gloucester County, New Jersey.

*In a study published in the January, 2001 JAVMA, 33% of 39 cats that underwent onychectomy developed "at least" one behavior problem immediately after surgery, with the most common problems being litter box problems and biting.

*In a recent study published October, 2001, JAVMA by Dr. Gary J. Patronek, VMD, PhD., “…declawed cats were at an increased risk of relinquishment.”

*A recent national survey of shelters from the Caddo Parrish Forgotten Felines and Friends indicates that approximately 70% of cats turned in to shelters for behavioral problems are declawed.

*From the Summer 2002 issue of PETA’s Animal Times: “A survey by a Delaware animal shelter showed that more than 75% of the cats turned in for avoiding their litter boxes had been declawed.”

*"In my own three-year experience, 95% of calls about declawed cats related to litter box problems, while only 46% of clawed cats had such problems—and most of those were older cats with physical ailments. Of my calls, only declawed cats have cost their owners security deposits, leather sofas and floorboards. And it’s mostly declawed cats that have been prescribed pain killers, anti-depressants, tranquilizers and steroids. Two-thirds of my calls are about litter box problems. In 90% of those cases, the cat is declawed, sick or old. In 7 years, only 3 people have called about a “scratching-the-sofa problem” - yet countless of “healthy” declawed cats have peed on sofas", Annie Bruce, cat consultant, author of CAT BE GOOD.
http://www.goodcatswearblack.com

Also, if you read through the comments on this declaw petition you can see how many declawed cats end up in shelters:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/327400811

Answer 7

You can get claw guards put on. They glue them on I think. Plastic guards so it doesn't hurt when she scratches. It could be she is becoming dominant because she can, because of the claw thing. iI've never had one declawed but, if I had to I would while they are young.
As long as you are keeping her and know she can't be outside then I don't see a problem. They sedate them and it's no different than getting puppies tails taken off. I used to assist the Dr. in taking peoples toenails off and they weren't too bad, the worst was the needle to numb the toe nerve. Can't tell you anything else. Good luck.

Answer 8

Yes, my sister had her cats declawed. Their paws have never been the same. They aren't able to jump up on the counter anymore (my sister says that's good). I just picture it being like a big creature pulling out my fingernails. I couldn't do it to my cats.

Answer 9

Your just going to have to separate the cats, and work on them getting to know each other little by little. Kittens are just that...kittens. They play and they are rough. As long as you are out and about while they play, (your in the same room), watch them. Get a water squirt bottle if the one gets to wild. I still use it on my cats. It won't hurt them and it gets their attention. When your not home, keep them separated, with their own little box of course. It will take time, but they will get along.

Answer 10

Kill the older kitten hel stop.No really yell no or something im more like a dog person