Category: Animal House
Hey Ya'll! Ok, so I've been pondering this for a while now-- since I don't have a guidedog- nor do I really want one at this present time, and getting a dog has too much responcibility attached to it lol... I'm a huge cat lover- grew up with two cats until we had to give them away sadly because a family member was elergic. And+ I'd love a little fur ball around to keep me company since I'll be living by myself. :( anyways.... my cats growing up were always housecats... because we lived in an apartment complex, and we weren't supposed to have anamals, but we did anyways lol! but my Mom didn't want them being outside cats... so I was also thinking of getting my cat declaued because I'm going to be renting, and quite honestly, after seeing what my cats did to the apartment and other members of my family (only when they were playing of course) :) I don't wanna deal with them scratching things up... but at the place where I live now, I can't have any anamals, but I figured that I'm probably gonna need help cleaning out the litter etc etc etc when I get the cat- so I'd really like to get my cat before I move, too.... so that I'll know how to clean the litter, and whatever else.... and+ I'm not really familar with how I'd purchis a cat- I don't wanna get it from the pound, and I don't know if I want to get it from a shelter (although my friend did that, and she said it was way cheeper) but I wanna be able to name my cat...... I suppose I could look into getting it from a petstore, although I don't know if that's a feezable option.... but anyways how do you clean out the litter? Do you guys use that litter cleaning box?? and I don't want a kitten, cause I'm gonna have to train it etc etc.... another thing, when you go away on vacation, do you ever put your cats in a kennel? One of my friends is elergic to cats, so she couldn't watch it, and so that's the other question I had- I mean not that I'm gonna be gone for like 3 weeks or something, but have you guys ever put your cats in a kennel and if so did you have a good experience with it? so any advice/help from any cat owners would be greatly appreciated.. I'll most likely get a short haired cat, since I do better with those in the first place... cause long haired ones I'm elergic.
Hello,
I have three cats at home: two were Humane Society (shelter) cats, and one we got as a kitten. Bar none, the shelter cats have been considerably easier to train. All cats will need to be at least minimally trained in the acceptable behavior in YOUR house, such as not climbing on the counters/tables, for example. When I got my first cat from the shelter, she tried getting up onto the table, and I quickly trained her not to do that by picking her up and putting her back on the floor. She had just been spayed, so her stitches were almost healed, but it was an uncomfortable enough experience for her that she only tried climbing on the table once or twice.
If you are concerned about scratching furniture, there are many better ways than declawing cats. You can get these little plastic things that go ontto their claws so that they can't damage the furniture, but they are still able to protect themselves if - heaven forbid - they get out... which is why I am absolutely against declawing your cats. One of my cats got out last year... and while I am not sure if he had to fight other animals, he was at least able to defend himself in that eventuality.
As for the litter, just be systematic about it, as though you were wiping down a kitchen counter. Always start in one corner, scoop the litter into the far corner and do a grid pattern. When you are done, pick up litter box and place inside garbage bag, turn box upside down, and voila! Litter is in garbage bag.
I have never kenneled my cats, for the simple reason the constantly relocating them (depending on how often you travel) is stressful on them. We have enough family/friends/neighbors who are willing to look in on the cats when we go away, just to top off their food and water and give them a little attention. Cats can be incredibly independent, so they don't require a lot of time from people who aren't "their" people.
Hope this helps!
Kate
Hi Kate! Thanks for all your help and for giving your insite too.. I appreciate it. Ah, I see.. I'll check out the sheltered cats, then... I'd almost rather that because I've heard it's cheeper, and not only that, but my friend said that they already have all their shots etc etc... Oh I see, I'll keep that in mind when I'm looking to go away on vacation or whatever.... hmmm, oh okay... I won't declaw it then... just thought it would be easier, but yes, you do have a point, my cat wouldn't be able to defend itself should it ever get out god-for-bid... if anyone else has any insite into this, please share!
Thanks,
Amber
Hi, Amber. A couple things. I have had two cats in the past. Both were shelter cats. They can be expensive, but you are right, they do already come with their shots, as well as already being spayed or neutered. Shelters also usually have a ton of cats, and some are already declawed. While I'm not any more in favor of declawing cats than Kate is, the two I adopted from the shelter had already been declawed by previous owners. So, I didn't have to deal with claws, but didn't put a cat through the procedure.
You also mentioned wanting to name the cat yourself. While it is true that shelters do name them, nothing says you can't change it. Cats don't tend to respond as much to their names as dogs do, and nothing stops you from changing it. For example, my second cat was named Tulip by the shelter. I couldn't stand that name. So when I adopted her, I renamed her Emma.
I too, got adult cats both times, because I didn't feel like all the work that went into having a kitten. That, and kittens are adopted more quickly, because that's what most people want. It's harder for the adult cats to get adopted, so I find I want to help them more.
Once you are shown how to clean the litter box, you should be able to do it independently. I am totally blind, and was able to, and I did not have the self-cleaning litter box. I just used a scoop that you scooped up the clumps with, while the clean litter was strained back into the box. Kate is right, work through the box in a grid pattern, like when you're cleaning a surface, and you should get everything. Inevitably sometimes litter will get on the floor, either from you cleaning the box, or often the cats have it on their paws when they step out of the box. My first cat, I had one of those hand-held dustbuster type vacuums that I could just easily vacuum around the box. The second time around, I got a mat to sit the box on, so it was easier to just shake off the mat into the garbage.
No, I never kenneld my cats. Kate is right, it is stressful on them, and as long as someone checks in on them to refill food and water, and clean out the litter, they are okay to be left alone for awhile. However, if there is absolutely no one who can stop in to do those things then yeah, you might have to board it.
Hope that helps.
Alicia
Thanks for your help, Alicia! Oh, good to know, I'm glad cleaning out the litter isn't as challenging as I had hoped... Thanks for your advice about the declawing, too.... My friend adopted a cat- at the humaine society about a year ago, and most times they are already housetrained if you don't wind up getting a kitten, I think... Now the only thing I'm pondering is whether I should wait to get a cat when I move, or already have the thing so that I'm not going to the shelter out where I'll be moving too... another thing I'll have to do imo... I'd rather already have the cat, so when I move, it can come with, and I'll most likely know how to deal with the litter/feeding the cat, doesn't seem like a bad idea... already started looking (don't know why I do this to myself?) lol on the humaine society's website for a cat lol! That's a good idea about putting the mat under the litter box so that it doesn't get all over the floor and elsewhere. When we had our cats, my Mom had one of those sifter things, too, so she'd scoop it, and the crap would be left in the sifter..... thanks everyone for all your help on this, I really appreciate it!! :) I'm sure when I move, I'll find some neighbors who would be willing to watch the kiddy for a few days.... and at home, I'm sure my Mom wouldn't mind if she had to watch it lol! Thanks again everyone!!! :) If anyone else has any tips/tricks on how to handel the litter or anything, post away! :)
Amber
I have a cat myself, got her when she was a kitten. While it's true older cats are usually the last to go they can also be a little harder to change the atitudes of depending on the cat. they do what they want when they want. With a kitten you can really train it to match whe you like. My cat is declawed by apartment regulations but i'm actually rather glad of it as my parent's cats have claws and that can get rather nasty in a hurry. As for the litter box I have the box liners so when it comes time to toss it out I just gather up the liner, pull the drawstrings tight and tie it off then toss it in the garbage shute.
Thanks for everyones imput on this! I'll be waiting until I move to get my cat... just because they get freaked out when they are going to new unfamilar places (happend to all of my Aunts cats when they all moved) cause they took all 3 of their cats on the plane when they moved cross country... anyways, thanks everyone, and when I am in fact ready to get a cat, I'll come back and have a look at this topic!! :)
Amber
I agree with what's already been said. I will absolutely never declaw a cat, thoughI would consider adopting one who had already been. I say consider because there are a lot of potential problems associated withdeclawing, and not every veterinarian is going to be honest and warn you about them. For one thing it's not just a matter of removing the nails themselves since that wouldn't prevent them from growing back. Declawing, to be quite frank, would be basically equivalent to someone cutting off your fingertips. And if that procedure is done improperly the nails can still grow back, but they can grow into the bone of the foot and leg, causing complications. Declawing also deprives them of protection for sensitive nerves in their feet, which can cause a cat to stop using his litter box simply because it hurts too much to scratch. And wile this is less likely with a kitten since they generally adapt more easily when young, you're still depriving your cat of his or her primary defenses if, heaven forbid, they should get out of the house and run into trouble. And you should never assume, however little interest your kitty may seem to show in the outside world, that they'll never try to get out. I agree with the softpaws, although they do need to be replaced semi regularly and some cats have been known to be able to get them off. Another solution for saving furniture and other things is to make those objects unappealing to your kitty. Covering a likely clawing surface or countertop with double-sided tape is one way. Your kitty will climb on the counter or claw the couch and get stuck. ThHey may get themselves unstuc in time but enough experiences like that and your kitty will get the mesage. You can also attach an inflated balloon or several of them to a surface likely to be clawed. Cats, from what I've observed, absolutely detest the sound and feel of an inflated balloon under their paws. And if they pop it then that's one more thing that's likely to deter them from clawing a piece of furniture. These are methods that, while they wo't harm Kitty, will if used consistently, convince your kitty that the furniture and countertops aren't worthwhile. At the same time get or make a scratching post specifically for them and put it somewhere where it's readily accessible to them. You may need to replace it as your cat grows up unless you just go with a taller model to begin with. Often the reason cats claw things like the corners of couches is that it's te feline equivalent of exercise. They'll stand on their ind legs and stretch their bodies while clawing the couch. So a nice tall scratching post will be a good thing. Also try moving it to different though still accessible spots to maintain your kitty's interest. As for training, you can use things like toys, catnip and occasional treats to make Kitty want to use the post instead of your furniture.
Anyone that even considers declawing a cat should never be a cat guardian. Do not purchase, you can adopt. Cats are not property, they are living beings! Declawing is selfish and cruel! Try taking your fingernails off!
More like your actual fingertips all the way up to that first nuckle. And you still have to pay to adopt from most shelters so it's still a purchase in a way.
You have to pay to adopt kids too.
Exactly. It's much easier to adopt a cat though than a kid.
Thanks for all your help, guys!! I definitely won't be declawing my cat after reading all those responces, unless I get a kitten.. I'd much purfure one that's older... so at least they'd be more trained then a kitten would be, although, with that, you never know either... Thanks again ya'll!! :)
Amber
So you are going to declaw a kitten. you idiot! You aren't mature enough for a cat! Try having your baby's fingernails taken off!
Chill out!
I don't think that is what Amber meant... but I could be wrong...
I agree with Kate...I think that was a little bit uncalled for.
Hi Amber,
Another thing you can do when you get your kitty is clicker train it. If you go to Clickertraining.com, they have a section committed to clicker training cats. Obviously, cats are treat-driven as opposed to praise-driven. But I'd definitely say familiarize yourself with a clicker and start using it right away when you bring the cat to your place.
actually, they don't remove part of the toe anymore for declawing, that was the old practice which shouldn't be used anymore. I can tell you for a fact my cat didn't have that done, in fact she was back on her paws in less than 2 days
You're making a pretty big assumption there, Union Girl. You don't know whether she's mature enough for a cat. Just because she might make a decision you don't agree with doesn't mean she's not mature enough. I don't agree with declawing cats, and I'd tell anyone who planned to as much, but it doesn't mean they're immature.
Thanks guys. And to the person who was under the assumption I was going to declaw my cat: only reason I "thought" about doing it was because I don't want it ruining my furnature.... but other then that, there's no real reason why I would really need to declaw my cat. Hmmm, I've never heard of clicker training for cats- I've heard of it for dogs, though... I'll have to try it out and see how it goes when I in fact do get my cat. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and feedback, I really appreciate it! :)
Amber
Here's the thing, and most people aren't considering this. some apartments, mine being one of them, require you to declaw. It's written right in their pet lease, cats must be declawed, and they take it seriously. Sure there are ways to provent cats from scratching but if the cat starts scratching the wall the damage is done and most apartment complexes of any worth or value have kittens, no pun intended, over it.
The irony is, I lived in a complex once where people had dogs. Some of them big dogs. But a canary, who weighed in at an enormous 0.85 of an ounce, had to be registered with them as an exotic pet. lol
I guess the apartment folks don't realize the poetial problems that can arise from declawing. Refusal to use te litter box ffor one thing, and tat can lead to floor damage. I for one would refuse to rent an apartment if I was required to declaw a cat. What happens if, heaven forbid, the cat gets outside and runs into trouble? Not only that but I've read about a disturbing numberof cases were the cat was declawed and, evenif tey didn't stop using the litter box, they underwentadrastic change in personality, often going from a sweet, loving animal to a skittish, fearful biter. I remember recently reading somewhere that fourty tisixty percent of cats who end up in shelters were declawed by their prior owners who then couldn't cope with the cat's behavior.
well then I must be lucky, been around many declawed cats, some of the most loveable cats you'll ever find, including my own
I suppose it makes sense...if somebody removed my primary mode of defense, I'd probably be grumpy and fearful too.
So, not being argumentative but honestly curious:
How then do the animals not get angry about us having their balls removed? Especially when people do it to a older animal? I recently saw a documentary on the castrati - singers who were castrated as boys to keep their voices, and naturally they led a very unhappy existence.
So why do they not simply do the animal version of a vasectomy or a tubal ligation then? And if the animal get angry over removal of its claws, it stands to reason the animal would be angry over loss of its nuts. Or ovaries, for that matter. Guess it goes to show how little I actually know of the animals. We never did anything like that to the birds.
Good point, Leo. I'd think that, if anything, should piss them off more. I had a cat who was declawed, and she was definitely not aggressive. She would lay on your lap and purr all day if you'd let her. She used the litter box faithfully, too. I wonder if this has to do with how young the cat is when the procedure is done? I can't remember how old Pokey was when we did that, but she was still a kitten.
I don't think I'd declaw a cat if given the choice. My parents made that choice, and this was over 10 years ago. I'm just saying that it's not as bad as some people on here are making it out to be. Then again, we were lucky in that Pokey never really tried to get out.
It is best to do it when they are kittens for a couple reasons. the cat is stronger so they can recover faster for one. Plus also consider some cats are inside cats and will never try to get out on their own. Do I like declawing cats, not unless I need too. Would I have still declawed this cat I have now, most likely yes. She's purely an inside cat, won't even go near the door if it's opened. It all comes down to the cat and your situation.
Here's how I see it.
Declawing a cat has a large chance of doing no ultimate harm. A cat I adopted while in Alaska, a great fluffy thing by the name of Floyd, was declawed when we got him, and he's quite sweet-tempered. He has no problem running, using his litter box or boxing (slapping hard) when he's in the mood. His only vice is that sometimes, if overexcited, he'll bite once, sharply, then tuck his head and run as if he knows he's gone too far. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the loss of his front claws, but somehow I doubt it. Anyway, my point is this: declawing a cat -may be perfectly harmless in the long run, but there's a half-decent risk of complications later on. I see it as next door to criminal, because there are other options widely available to minimize the damage done by a scratching cat. Soft-paws, the plastic tips for claws previously mentioned in this topic and in numerous others, not to mention regular clippings, a scratching-post and fairly regular discouragement if the unwanted behavior is taking place. My own personal stance is that, kitten or not, large chance of a happy kitty or not, I wont willingly declaw a cat.
Oh, and as far as I'm aware, a lease can't actually demand that your cat be declawed. Many will read that way but I'm not sure that it's actually legal and would stand up in court. Of course, if you sign it and agree to it as a contract that's one thing, and might complicate the situation.
Exactly, then don't get a cat if the place requires declawing. Simple answer to that problem, or don't live there.
Or adopt one that has already been declawed.
Sometimes, the choice of place vs. pet is not so clear as you make it seem. Personally, if I had to make a choice between living in a place that forced me to declaw my cat, or living elsewhere, I'd rather live in an environment that didn't try and force me to do something I don't agree with, but circumstances might force my hand. It's not as easy as it looks, not black and white, to be sure.
No, it isn't. It'd be a lovely world if we could all freely stand up for what we believe in and say: "Guess what, I'm going to do as I like". Fact is, you live where it makes sense to live, there's no getting around it.
A few things. Both of my cats were declawed when I adopted them. Both were sweet-tempered, happy cats, who used their litter boxes just fine. Neither ever tried to get outside, possibly because they'd been strays for some time before the shelter picked them up, and had bad experiences with the outdoors. I don't know. Not sure if cats' instincts would tell them that.
Anyway, Shepherdwolf, yes, I've lived in places before where it stipulated in the lease that if you had a cat, it must be declawed. That's a lot of why I adopted cats who already were: so I could abide by the lease, but not have to put the cat through it myself. And I also agree with Meglet. It would be great, in an ideal world, to choose where we live based solely on our personal beliefs. And if someone is in a position to do that, then more power to them. But usually one has to pick their living situation based on practicality: location, rent, etc.
O certainly not every cat who's declawed will have these problems. My parents' own two cats are examples of that. But the way I see it is if they hadn't been meant to have claws they wouldn't have been born with them in the first place. It was humans after all who domesticated cats, not the cats themselves. As for the my cat's a purely indoor cat spiel, you may raise your cat to be purely indoor but you should never assume your cat will never, ever get curious and attempt to go outside. My last cat Max did toward the end and I'm thankful I let him keep his claws because of that. If I hadn't and he'd run into another cat or a dog that wanted to pick a fight he would have been at a serious disadvantage since it's not only fighting that they use those claws for. I decided a long time ago that I'd adopt an already declawed cat but never would I put my own cat through the procedure.
Actually I understand that cats have essentially domesticated themselves? They knew we were the ones with the steady food supply and they realized we rather liked them. A very advantageous move, in my opinion.
So we became their staff. LOL.
Something like that. Hell, they even have service bells around their necks!
Mine sure does. But yeah, I remember seeing somethi like that on a web site that talked about various aspects of cat communication. I forget who it was that actually said it but the quote went something along the lines of dogs have owners, cats have staff. My current cat's got to be fifteen or thereabouts but ever since I took her in from my folks' she's been going through spurts where she acts almost like a kitten again. She's been with us since she was about three days old since her mother either died or just abandoned her and her littermates. She's one of the friendliest cats you could want to meet but one of her favorite means of showing affection is to bite. LOL. Not serious bites mind, but they are bites. She'll just take your finger or whatever she can reach into her mouth and bite down on it.
hi all and there have been some interesting things mentioned in here and i don't believe in declawing a cat as i think it is cruel but does not mean the person who decides to do it is.
I have had many cats and have lost many too and it is true that when renting you may have rules to abide by and the one i had was i had to put a cat door in but i must say it proved to be very handy as they could come in and out when ever they liked and moving house can be stressful on the animal but they are able to adjust to it and better to have some one who can look after your animal instead of putting it in a cattery because they are unbelievably high in cost.
Yes a scratching post is a good tool to have and most cats enjoy them very much.