To declaw or not to declaw

Discussion in 'Blazers OT Forum' started by Mediocre Man, Sep 25, 2012.

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  1. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    We just got a kitten who is 9 weeks old. He is awesome, but like all kittens and cats he scratches the heck out of our furniture. Should we declaw, or go with a scratching post, soft paws , etc and hope for the best?


    This cat will always be indoors
     
    Mediocre Man, Sep 25, 2012
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  2. santeesioux

    santeesioux Just keep on scrolling by

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    Scratching post.
     
    santeesioux, Sep 25, 2012
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  3. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

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    HailBlazers, Sep 25, 2012
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  4. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    SlyPokerDog, Sep 25, 2012
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  5. BoBoBREWSKI

    BoBoBREWSKI BURP!

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    We have 2 different scratching posts and our cats still use the furniture sometimes. It really pisses off my wife. We tried soft paws before, but they came off all the time. I'd like to declaw them, but it seems so cruel. It's gotta hurt like hell!

    Sly - not cool! I expect better from a mod.
     
    BoBoBREWSKI, Sep 25, 2012
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  6. bigbailes

    bigbailes Well-Known Member

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    DON'T GET A CAT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!
     
    bigbailes, Sep 25, 2012
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  7. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    I was just tying into a discussion in a different thread.
     
    SlyPokerDog, Sep 25, 2012
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  8. julius

    julius Living on the air in Cincinnati... Staff Member Global Moderator

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    declawing is taking away their best form of defense, even if you say they're an "inside" cat.

    just have cat houses, or scratching posts, or accept that maybe you need to provide some more form of entertainment for the cat.

    Or just start clipping the claws. My sisters cat is used to it and allows her to clip his claws and doesn't fight her at all.
     
    julius, Sep 25, 2012
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  9. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    My parents have had a few cats over the years including one that they couldn't get to stop clawing the furniture so the vet removed only the front claws. It was a total indoor cat but if it ever got out the rear claws are enough to get the cat up a tree and out of danger and most cats aren't coordinated enough to claw furniture with their hind legs.
     
    SlyPokerDog, Sep 25, 2012
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  10. crandc

    crandc Well-Known Member

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    Don't declaw. It's not just clipping fingernails. They cut off the entire first joint of each toe. It's painful, sometimes gets infected, and gets irritated. Cats need to keep their claws sharp. You need to show the cat where to scratch. Use a sharp "NO!" or a squirt from a water pistol when the kit uses the wrong spot, then place the paws in the right spot. Stroke and reward the cat for using the right spot. Does the cat go outdoors? Trees are their natural choice.

    I let the cats use the legs of a very battered homemade table. And they use trees. I've never had serious furniture problems, even though all three arrived as kittens.
     
    crandc, Sep 25, 2012
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  11. Haakzilla

    Haakzilla Well-Known Member

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    ...never trust a grown man that owns a cat! :devilwink:
     
    Haakzilla, Sep 25, 2012
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  12. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko boomer maniac Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I have a boy, he's great and all, but I'm wondering if I should have his penis removed, so that he doesn't get any girls pregnant.

    barfo
     
    barfo, Sep 25, 2012
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  13. BlazerCaravan

    BlazerCaravan Hug a Bigot... to Death

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    Be sure you take the testicles too; castration does extend a male's life by 13-19 years. You'd be doing him a great favor adding to his longevity like that.
     
    BlazerCaravan, Sep 25, 2012
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  14. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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    i didnt even neuter my cat, that shit is cruel beans
     
    3RA1N1AC, Sep 25, 2012
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  15. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    Do it.
     
    Denny Crane, Sep 25, 2012
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  16. julius

    julius Living on the air in Cincinnati... Staff Member Global Moderator

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    while at the same time, removing some of his longevity at the same time.


    signed,


    ABM
     
    julius, Sep 25, 2012
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