Cat question: Honest answers only?

Question

I recently asked a question and came under attack by people assuming I don't care and saying I should give up my animal. I'm going to ask this again and I would appreciate only honest, wholesome answers instead of attacking me.

I have a cat that tears up furniture. I do not wish to declaw him but he does not respond to punishment. I don't want to do this but I can't have him tearing up the furniture my recently deceased grandfather made (THIS WOULD MAKE IT IRREPLACABLE). I have tried 1) punishing him with a) paddling, b) newspapers, c) water bottles, d) even noisy cans. He has a scratching post and I've even showed him how to use it and rewarded him for the 2 times that he did. I can't hold him down to put soft paws on him and I am soon to have a newborn. I choose my cat over the father of my child due to the fact that he beat my cat and I left as soon as I caught him doing that so he wouldn't do it to anything else living as long as I could control it.

He doesn't respond to the scent sprays, and I just don't want to harm him. He is a completely indoor cat, I can't confine him to just one room because I live in an apartment but I don't want the things that are irreplacable now to be ruined.

I can't not allow him in anyrooms, I have a crib, a dining table, all my bedroom furniture, and my coffee table and entertainment center that was made by my grandfather. I agree with the idea but the only other room that leaves is the bathroom, I don't want to hurt my second most precious little one but I don't want him hurting my most precious one or himself.

Thanks to everyone that gave me a useful answer. I appreciate it. I'm going to try that soft paws thing, (it should be interesting trying to put them on him LOL). Then if that doesn't work I'll talk with my vet again.

As I said, I appreciate all the helpful answers and thats all I got this time. THANK YOU! My ex did used to beat him, and he started after using him as a punching/kicking bag. The day I found out I was pregnant was the day I gave a list of choices (either get help etc....) It was 3 days after he agreed to get help that I caught him beating him up again so I packed up and left. That was soon to be 9 months ago, he's adjusting a little better to just me and him and a soon to be baby.

I don't think I could bear to give him up, and if it gets that bad after my son gets here that I absolutely have no choice then I will give him up, and I'm one of those people that can't stand putting animals out on the road or "putting them down."

Thanks for all the advice, I'll try clipping his nails if I can get him to hold still long enough, and if that doesn't work I'll try putting those soft paws on him. Then if nothing works I'll consider declawing.

Thanks again!

My cat is fixed.

Answer 1

So is the question whether to declaw him or not? That's up to you. It is considered major surgery and depending on where you live, it can be pretty expensive. We charge about $600 for a declawing and that's the front claws only. If you can afford it and you feel it's worth doing than it's something to consider.

Weekly trimming of his nails can help. It can be done at home and this seems to alleviate their need to scratch. But, unless you plan on being in your house 24/7/365....then it may be best to call your vet and talk the declawing thing over with him.

There was someone on here who had spoken about their cat getting laser declaw....I've never heard of it, but that doesn't mean that some vet somewhere is doing it. You may want to research that to see what your doctor things about that.

Another idea is maybe putting plastic over the furniture....not necessarily the most attractive or comfortable thing, but for right now, it could be a good option.

Whatever you decide, it's your decision....what's best for you and your pet. It's a personal choice and you're going to be the one paying for it.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 2

I would find him a new owner - it sounds like you are going to be busy with a new baby and have not had luck with training - Put the word out that you are looking for a new owner - ask your vet if you can put a poster up in his office. I am an animal lover , a cat owner (a dog owner, a rabbit owner etc.,) and I think that there comes a point you have to choose your sanity over the animal. I do not support - euthanaisia for such a reason - or dropping your cat off on the side of the road. Put forth an effort to find him a good, loving home, let your friends and family know.

However, if you can afford it de-clawing is a fine option. Many cats do fine with it and some people feel strongly that it is inhumaine - but vets would not perform the operation if that was the case - vet's are animals lovers too.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm sorry that people on here have been attacking you and assuming you don't care. If you didnt care you wouldnt be asking this question. This seems to be a common problem for many people w/ cats.

Have you been able to talk to your vet? Maybe they can give you some helpful suggestions w/out having to declaw him. It sounds like everything your doing is a good punishment. Do you leave him out during the day when your gone? I would suggest you buy a cage (unless you already own one) or a pet carrier. When you are away, put him in it so he doens't tear things up. I guess while you are home I would also keep and eye on him @ all times. If he started to scratch I would yell at him and punish him by putting him in the cage. When he starts to scratch you have to get on him right away and punish him and put him in the cage if you have too.

Since cats hate water, you could run water on him after he does it. Put him under the sink or tub. Thats not cruel. Good luck.

Answer 4

Cats don't just claw to trim their nails. They have little scent glands in their paws that put a mark on the places where they scratch. It's part of territory marking, and much more pleasant than spraying. LOL

Part of the reason that your cat may be such an active scratcher may be due to the fact that your former boyfriend abused him. He may feel forced to assert himself by marking his turf because he is insecure as a result of the abuse.

I am not a fan of declawing. I have never done it to any of my cats, even though I've had some unwelcome damage. If it is a question of keeping the cat or going the declawing route, then, I would err on the side of keeping a cat in a loving home. There is a new laser procedure that presents less of a risk for infection for the cat. It is also less painful. If the question is keep the cat or declaw, then declaw.

Answer 5

I've taken in both. there is a lot of bonding that happens when you raise a kitten, and you never really get that same level of bonding when you adopt an older cat. But taking in a 1-2 year old cat is also pretty good, because they do tend to appreciate having a home of their own, and know what it is like to not have one. Also with older cats you don't have to deal with the craziness that kittens can cause. I would prefer a kitten, myself, but a 1-2 year old would be just fine. I think what would decide things for me is the personalities of the cats. some cats are cuddlers, some are players, and some are very aloof, and some cats that I have adopted just plain chose me rather than me choosing them.

Answer 6

I understand your dilemma, a friend of mine is having the same issue so I'm taking his cat.... declawing or having the tendons that retract the claws cut may be your only options aside from giving the cat to a trusted friend.
My cat is equally stubborn, fortunately not with clawing, but with sitting on the counters and table tops, she does not respond to anything either, (spanking, spray bottle, the whole bit)
I know you care for your pet and that you are at your wits end... maybe call the local pet-smart and see if they have an animal behaviorist. They may have a better idea of how to deal with the problem. I really wish I was better help to you, good luck

Answer 7

I understand completely where you are coming from and it sounds to me like you are a caring and responsible person.
I had the same problem with my two cats when they were younger and my furniture still bares the scars. I had to put up with the destruction because these cats were "hired" on our property as mousers and needed their claws to hunt but because your kitty is an indoor cat and well protected I wouldn't hesitate to have his front claws removed. Just make sure that you find a reputable Vet that has a lot of experience doing this type of procedure.
Many people find it a cruel thing to declaw a cat but years ago I had one that was declawed when I adopted him and he did just fine! I find yelling at and scolding them all the time crueler.
Good luck to you!

Answer 8

Personally, i think it is wrong to declaw a cat. i HAD 2 get my cat declawed because we couldn't cut them and he cut my bro so bad he had to get 20 stitches. But, you should NEVER, EVER hit a cat to punish him. He will just be afraid of you and you will lose your relationship with him. Try filling a spray bottle with luke warm water and spraying him with it when he scratches. or, give him a light tap on the nose, cats hate that! Or, try spraying the furniture with lemon juice. f all these don't work, go to your local vet and get some tranquillizers pills (wrap them in cheese or meat) and give them to him. then put on the soft paws. ONLY DECLAW AS A LAST RESORT!! Good luck, God bless!!

Answer 9

Don’t declaw him its awful they need to scratch otherwise they are going to be nervous and 2 common things they would do after declawing your cat 1) She/ he will meow a lot 2) Bite, since they need to scratch to stretch or when they get nervous and they cant, they will bite everything. And it’s the same as scratching since your furniture will be ruin anyways. Why don’t you buy a cover for your furniture? I nice cover so they can scratch it and wont ruin something that is so precious to you. Question to you? Did your cat used to scratch b4? I mean b4 your husband used to beat her up? Maybe she still getting over the fact and just needs time.
Buy him more scratching post and toys so he would be busy and not think about the furniture.

Answer 10

The vet can put the soft paws on for you.
As for the commercial sprays, I agree that they don't work. Never did for my cats. Whatever it is in it that's supposed to repell the cat evaporates within minutes. I used straight vinegar in a spray bottle and every time they scratched, sprayed them with it. The vinegar is perfectly safe to them. The vinegar smell goes away very quickly. I wasn't having to spray odd chemicals on my antique furniture. And the cats got the message real quick.
Please give that a try before you declaw him. I did a mentorship in highschool in a vet clinic and it made me sick to have to assist them while they cut those poor babies toes off.