Leather and Kitty?

Question

My parents plan on buying leather couches and want me to get our kitty declawed. I am against this since he likes to go outside and even though I always watch him outside and never let him go far from the house, I feel it would be cruel to get his nails removed even if he doesn't need them. How can I make sure he doesn't claw the couches when they come. Do not answer with spraying him with water, we bathe him weekly and he doesn't mind it anymore.

Answer 1

Please don't declaw him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think that's just torture for cats seeing as how it's their only defense and their claws are basicly their fingers. There is something you can spray on the couches(it should be at petsmart) and after a while they just wont go on it even without the spray. Or you can just tell him to stay away and he'll learn eventually.

Answer 2

If water doesn't bother him then you could try these nifty little covers called soft paws. Either you or your vet give the nails a trim and glue the covers on. They need replacing periodically as the nails grow.

http://www.softpaws.com/

If you must have the kitty declawed please consider finding a vet that uses a laser for the removal of the claws. This process causes less blood less, less infection, less pain, and expedited healing process. I have witnessed this surgical procedure done via tools which cut the last joint off, or the laser which removes the claw and nail bed and cauterizes the wound instantly. Cats without front claws are not defenseless. We stitched up more than one dog that cornered a declawed cat and got it's face sliced up by the back claws and teeth. I have also seen declawed cats climb trees. Before you have this procedure done, discuss the process and aftercare with your vet. They usually need special litter for awhile during the healing process. Sometimes this causes litter box issues. I personally have four cats, none of which are declawed. I used the water bottle to train mine and put cat nip on their scratching posts. Best wishes.

Answer 3

Keep his nails trimmed, and train him to use a scratching post or other acceptable surface. Cats claw as a natural behavior, and are often attracted to large furniture because it's convenient and prominently placed. The scratching surface needs to be attractive too - some cats prefer posts but others like slanted or flat scratching pads. Try several options and see which one he likes.

Declawing is not just removal of the 'nail' - it's the amputation of the last joint of every toe. This is serious surgery and has a high rate of complications; mot seriously, declawed cats often develop behavior problems including not using the litter box.

Answer 4

Double sided sticky tape. This is made for cats to keep them from clawing the furniture.

OR you can go get a set of Soft Paws, which are little plastic caps that glue on over the nails, so the cat doesn't have points to stick into any furniture. You'd only need to do the front paws, since they don't scratch with their back toenails.

You can get Soft Paws at most pet supply places. They go on the cat very quickly, and come in a few different sizes. They make them for dogs too so they won't scratch wood floors when walking.

Answer 5

Even if he did get declawed he will still have his back ones. They are the ones that do the damage from jumping. And most vets won't do all 4 feet anyway. It's major surgery for an older cat. Does your cat scratch your couch now? If not, he may never start. Furniture is just furniture after all. I wish you luck.

Answer 6

Actually, I have a 5 month old kitten and italian leather sofas.
My kitten doesn't actually sharpen her nails or scratch on the leather because it isn't pleasing to her. They want something much more hard, like a carpet, kind of like how when babies teeth they need something good to chew on. So I don't really think the nail thing is going to be a problem.

Answer 7

Declawing is inhumane - see below website. Also I have leather furniture and my cat has not paid one bit of attention to it. Wrong texture. the only thing he is somewhat interested in is an old denim sofa which we have discouraged. Trimming nails or Soft Paws and a scratching post should prevent any problems - nail trimming and scratching post solved our small problem.

Answer 8

We have these boxes with these pieces of cardboard in them that have catnip in them... the cat's go crazy for it, they are always scratching it and enjoy it much more than the furniture. Get something like that that's for cat scratching and they should ignore the furniture, also telling them NO after they do it should help if water does nothing.

Also, declawing is bad. So you shouldn't do that.

Answer 9

There isn't anyway you can stop him ,even if you declaw him, except keep him out of the room. He can still kick with his back claws, but it can help. Thay love leather. My cat likes to get ahold of leather purses, play with them and he kicks with back claws. We not keep purses off the floor or anywhere he can get hold of them. I truly hope there is someone out there that can help you. Sorry!

Answer 10

Get softclaws for your cat www.safepetproducts.com is an AWESOME site to order them.. They are just silicone caps that you glue onto the cats nails and they prevent them from scratching surfaces and hurting them.. THey are awesome. all my cats use them.. And a plus they can still defend themselves if they go outside.