If he likes your carpet, making a scratching post out of it probably will not help. He'll just assume that it's ok to scratch on the carpet. At least that's what happened w/me. As for declawing: I asked my previous vet years ago if it hurt cats and he said "Let me ask you, Mary, if I pulled your nails off, think it would hurt?" That was all I needed to hear. He does it for people who insist on it but he doesn't approve and he always tries to talk them out of it. In the end, of course, it's your decision, but since you asked, that's my opinion.

Blessings,
Mary