Declawing: against or for?

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Originally posted by tvt
I have done everything that was advised for me (from the humane society, vet, other cat "owners" as I'm now titled) to stop the loveseat from being shredded, including putting catnip on the scratch board. Nothing worked, obviously, as she still does it.

What have you tried to train your cat ?

If you have the time to answer the questions below, I'm sure that you'll recieve many bits of useful post training tips.

Do you have the right cat tree for your cat, either horizontal or vertical covered with a desired scratching item....i.e. wood with or without bark, cardboard, carpet (right or wrong way out), sisal (rope or material) ? Look at where she/he scratches to give you a clue as to the type of post to buy.

Is this post sturdy and does not rock even if the cat stretches his/her full weight on it ?

Where is the post located in reference to where the cat sleeps ?

How did you show your cat what a scratching post is and how to use one ? (Cats learn from example or being shown, they are not mindreaders)

What positive reward did you use with your cat when she used the post ? An essential part of training a cat..simple as verbal praise and cuddles or a play session with a good toy or a food treat.

What did you use to cover the non post items/areas which are being scratched ? Can use depending on item...clingfilm, tinfoil, wool blanket, double sided sticky tape, etc

Be consistant with your post training and your cat will learn.

How old is your cat ? I ask as kitten sometime are naughty when being post trained.

Also lightweight catnip cardboard scratching boards are popular in our house even though they are not sturdy and move a lot our cats sit on them to stop them moving too much.

In total our cat herd have three cat trees covered in carpet and sisal rope both vertical & horizontal areas to scratch and also enjoy these light cardboard scratchers too.

I am not getting this cat declawed, so don't no one else cringe that I might do something "inhumane".

Good, glad to hear it.

Let me ask you all this--- why not talk to the vets in your areas about using a pain killer for the cats until the paws heal? I asked my vet when I had my previous cat done and she did prescribe something to use. You all make it sound like the cat isn't even put under anesthetic or anything, the vet just starts ripping claws out. It's not that way!

Declawing is illegal in England. I do understand pain meds are given at the time but the cats still has to live his/her entire life without being able to stretch properly as cats NEED their claws to fully stretch.

Your declawed cats will get stiff joints at an earlier age and have problems balancing and climbing at an earlier age than a normal clawed cat.

All operations performed on cats/dogs etc should ONLY be done, when it is in that animal's benefit to have the operation.

As the declawing operation has no advantage to the cat it should never be performed.

Altering is benefical to the animal and gives several health related benefits and so should continue to be performed.