Questions about kittens, nail care, and declawing?

Question

I just answered a declaw question that a contact linked me to. The question was from last night. Anyway, it got me thinking:

At what age did you start training your kitten what was appropriate to scratch?

How did you train them where to scratch?

Which types of scratching surface did your cat like best?

Did you trim the kitten's nails? At what age did you start and how does the cat react to his pedicures?

How did you keep your cat from scratching furniture and other valuables?

If it was a last resort, like your husband/wife was going to dump the cat because of damage, would you declaw?

I'm giving away a feral kitten that I caught and I'd like to pass this info on to the new owner so that she's not tempted to declaw just for convenience. Thank you for all your help!

Answer 1

1. After he started scratching the couch.

2. Sprayed catnip on the scratching post, and when he scratched anything else, I put him in front of it.

3. Ropey stuff.

4. They trim them themselves when they scratch.

5. Tell him no, and moved him to the scratching post.

6. I would tell my partner to grow up, and realize Cats scratch, it's something they do.

I would never be so cruel as to get a Cat declawed, would you want your fingernails ripped out with some pliers?

Thought not.

7. " Giving away a feral Kitten " do you not realize it's Mother might be looking for it? Have you trained it properly?

Answer 2

It's been almost 12 years since I had a kitten, so I'm going from memory:

1.  I got my kitten when he was about 3 months, and showed him the scratching posts and litter box right off.

2. I put catnip/catnip spray on the scratching posts to attract him (and my other cat) to it.

3. My cats will scratch carpet, rope, or cardboard but seem to prefer carpet.

4.Yes, I trim all my cats' nails.  I can't remember what age I started with the kitten (who is now almost 12).  All of them dislike it but tolerate it.

5.  I used Soft Paws for a couple of years on two of my cats, which worked extremely well.  I also sprayed an herbal "No Scratch" spray where I didn't want them scratching.  I had one beat-up couch that I just let them scratch on, so they'd leave other stuff alone.

6.  Nope, I'd dump the husband first.  : )  I wouldn't live with someone who'd make me either declaw or get rid of my cats.

Good luck!

Answer 3

1. I started training my kitten what was appropriate to scratch as soon as I got him (7 weeks). He didnt pay too much attention to anything I'd have to say until about a month ago (he's 4 months). If you have a scratcher I'd buy a couple of scratching posts with cat nip in them. They can be expensive and, if you want to save money, a good scratching device is an old wicker/seagrass basket or one of these eco-supermarket bags you get from the supermarket.

2. How did you train them where to scratch? I didn't - and found it hard to know to. When you find them scratching something they shouldn't pick them up, take them to the scratch post and mimic the action, speaking gently all the time. Put a couple of scratchable items in every room so he/she has something around you to scratch if need be. Say 'NO" loudly, and if need be squirt with pistol, if they scratch what they shouldnt.

3. Which types of scratching surface did your cat like best? As above - seagrass, underneath couch - buy satiny, shiney, smooth fabric if you want it scratch free...

4. Did you trim the kitten's nails? At what age did you start and how does the cat react to his pedicures? Yes - I do (declawing is illegal in the UK). I started when he was about 10 weeks - when it first began to hurt when he was climbing all over me.  He doesn't like it - I cover him loosely in a towel and feed him treats. But, as long as you speak gently and are careful not to nic the quick they're fine with it... relatively. He does squirm and meow a bit. If he gets aggitated I just do one paw and leave another for another day.

5. How did you keep your cat from scratching furniture and other valuables?  Bitter spray and squirting - and providing more tempting scratchy things - as above.

6. If it was a last resort, like your husband/wife was going to dump the cat because of damage, would you declaw? No, never.  Certainly, never for a cat that needs to go outside but not for an indoor cat anyways They like to scratch - it's part of their nature. But I know that  you guys have different opinions in the US so no judgement.

Answer 4

Well, it's a cat's natural instinct to scratch and claw.  Not only does it help them sharpen their nails, but it's also a way that they mark their territory.  If your kitty is old enough to run around and play, then they're old enough to train not to do this.  

First off, you have to use a scratchingpost/device that your kitty will find appealing.  Cats will rather use the sturdiness and vastness of the corner of your couch than a scratching post that is small and wobbly.  So make sure you find a scratching post that is a good size (mine is about 3 feet tall and is part of a kitty condo so it's heavy and sturdy), and be sure to put it in an appealing location.  Usually a good place is where the cat is currently scratching.  Introduce the kitty to the post.  You can even make it more appealing by adding some kitty nip (if there's not some on it since most store bought ones already have it on them).  I've found that if you take their front feet and do the "clawing" motion on the post, that they pick it up quicker.  I've also found that if you have more than one cat, then you need more than one post.  I have four cats, so I have an entire small bedroom that's especially for them.  I have two posts, and we've also taken two old nightstands and covered them with carpet.  We have carpet all over that room!  The cats love it.  Since cats are very territorial, you have to give them enough space so that they feel at ease as though it's "their" domain.  Otherwise, they'll go around your house trying to scratch up everything to claim what's theirs.  

To get them to stop scratching, there's many repellant sprays that you can spray onto the surface that you don't want the kitty scratching up.  I've tried some of these, but found that they haven't helped all that much (some ppl swear by them).  The best thing that I've found most effective is a water gun or spray bottle.  Some may think it's mean, but if you catch the kitty in the act and spritz them once with a little water they'll usually stop.  

You can start trimming their nails as soon as they're a few weeks old.  It's actually a good idea to do so since their claws can get long enough to scratch up momma and their litter mates.  It also helps them to get used to you messing with their feet.  Just be sure that when you're trimming, to not go below the quick!  The quick is the red vein that you can see in the nail.  Usually, clipping the tip is enough but if you accidently cut the quick and the kitty's nail begins to bleed you can put some Quick-Stop (you can get it at pet stores and Wal-Mart) on their nail to make it stop.  If your kitty goes outside from time to time, she can still climb to get outta trouble if she has to.  Clipping their nails doesn't seem to make it a problem for them.  

Finally, if you wanna deter someone from declawing their kitty just tell them that declawing is the equivalent to a human being having the tops of their fingers amputated!  It's disgusting, but it's true.  Also, if the kitty goes outside (even just once) how can she get out of trouble if she needs to without claws to climb?  I've had cats all my life, and I've never had to get one declawed.  There's always an alternative.

I hope this helps!  :)

Answer 5

My current two came to me at different times but both at 3 months old.  Their training started immediately.  All it really consisted of was not using my hands as toys so they'd learn that scratching and biting was a no-no.

It was a while ago but I don't recall teaching them where to scratch.  I provided numerous surfaces for them and they used them, end of story.  I may have added catnip to them as an enticement.

If I caught them scratching somewhere they shouldn't, a firm NO did the trick.  (They're such well-behaved sweeties!)

Neither cat ever went for the furniture.  One exception was my computer chair which I had covered with a tweedy fabric.  They loved scratching on it so what I did was get a piece of foam and cover it with leftover fabric.  I hung that on their freeway (don't ask) and they're still using it today.  And my computer chair got recovered with something less scratchable.

Would I give up or declaw?  I'd give them up.  The only reason I'd ever declaw would be because they've developed cancer of the claw or something and they would die or suffer if they weren't removed.  I'd never do it for my own benefit or that of my furnishings.  If I suddenly developed hemophilia (LOL), I'd move mountains to find a way to keep them.  I haven't thought this one through completely, but I like to think that in the end I'd do what's best for them.

Answer 6

At what age did you start training your kitten what was appropriate to scratch?  Around 6-8 weeks old

How did you train them where to scratch?  I bought him some scratching posts (one w/ a toy he loves) and redirected him when he tried to scratch elsewhere

Which types of scratching surface did your cat like best?  Carpet

Did you trim the kitten's nails? At what age did you start and how does the cat react to his pedicures?  I started very young, around 8-10 weeks, he's just used to it and it doesn't bother him

How did you keep your cat from scratching furniture and other valuables?  Redirect, tone of voice, spray water as last resort (very rare)

If it was a last resort, like your husband/wife was going to dump the cat because of damage, would you declaw?  No, my husband knows better.  I feel very strongly about not declawing b/c I've made the mistake of doing it in the past and my husband knows how I feel regarding the issue.  It was discussed before we got our kitten



Good luck!