Barclay and declawing

[moosmom]

Please, DON'T declaw Barclay!! It could lead to other problems and then Barclay will be out the door.

How old is Barclay? The only suggestions I can make is wherever you see him scratch, put a scratching post. Put a couple of coins in a can and whenever you see him go to scratch, shake the can loudly and yell "NO!!!". When he goes for the furniture, you can also squirt him with water. Another suggestion would be to retrain him. It may take a little time and patience but it'd be worth it in the long run. Whenever he goes for the furniture, grab him, yell NO!!! then bring him over to the scratching post or whatever you have for him to scratch on, take his paws and make the scratching motion with them on the post.

Debbie is also correct in that alot of cats like different kinds of textures like sisal rope, corrugated cardboard (they have those real cheap at the pet store that come with catnip to sprinkle on it). You can also buy a can of spray catnip. Get a couple of carpet remnants or more scratching posts and spray the heck outta them with the spray catnip.

I hope you'll please try these before declawing Barclay. Tell your husband to at least try these suggestions before declawing. Also tell him that declawing would be like cutting off HIS fingers and the first knuckle and expect him to walk on them.

Good luck and PLEASE keep us posted!!