Cat People...Need Help, Please!

[ostrich]

I meant to ask this earlier, but my weekend was way too busy.

I'm having a bit of a problem with my cats and their claws. Namely, they like to rebound off the couch when they play. When they land on something hard enough their claws come out. And when they bound off, they inadvertently back-kick, slicing up said couch. They only do this with their back claws (front declawed), and I know they don't do this on purpose. I'd like to get new furniture next year, and I don't want it clawed up. Seems like I have a few options:

1. Ignore the problem and hope the new couch works better. The new furniture will probably fake micro suede which will hide scratches better. But they're still capable of actually cutting the fabric.

2. Try to keep them off the couch.

3. Try to get them to claw something else.

4. Keep their nails trim and/or use nail caps.

5. Declaw them.

#1-3 seem rather silly. Micro suede will still get beat to hell, I like having my animals on the couch, and they don't do this on purpose. #4 resulted in numerous back-kicks to my legs (drawing blood) and 2 bites (also drawing blood).

At this point #5 seems like my only option. I really don't want to declaw them, mostly because I know they use those claws for grooming. It has nothing to do with them getting outside. If they had all their claws, some weapons and the FBI they'd still get picked off by a hawk.

Suggestions?
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

Time falls away, but these small hours
These little wonders still remain

[Flygal]

Our cat had all his claws. (Yes, we now have furniture designed by Moe!)We trimmed all of his claws from the time he was young, and he didn't mind at all. You might have a little more trouble if you haven't been doing it all along. #4 would definitely be my vote, though. Cat people understand your decorating themes.
_________________
Judy

[ostrich]

[NickisDragon]

I have a very laid back cat and he's done okay with the restraining bit if I put him on the bed and kind of lay on top of him with him wedged under my arm. (After the eye drops, nail trimming is a piece of cake!! I was amazed to find out they really DON'T have 14 paws)

If it were me, I'd put a towel over the couch--they are comfortable enough to sit on, catch crumbs, and split cat claws well, They're eaay to wash and strip off quickly when company turns up and are relatively cheap to replace when needed. Good luck!
_________________
The opportunity to find happiness dances within every moment, beats within every heart, and grooves within every occurrence, situation, and event----Let's dance!.

Nicki

B-Day: January 18
DX: October 2005

[nancw]

I've given up on furniture damage. As long as I own a cat, I expect it. Wilma has a chair in the basement that she has destroyed - it was a hand-me-down from my MIL so I don't really care about it.

On the cat front...holy crap what a day! At lunch I was dropping off paperwork at my boss's house. Heard yowling from the front of the car. Lifted the hood and there is a smallish, grey kitty perched in the corner of the engine compartment. She bolted across the street and ran up a large pine tree. Boss set out tuna and water to coax her out and I went back to the office. Boss said she came out a few times, but would bolt away when boss came near. Went over after work and located her in the dense tree. Made kitty kissy noises, and she came lower, within my grasp. Grabbed her and saw that her mid-tail was stripped down to the tendon (really gross). Put her in a carrier and drove to the vet. They aputated the last 2/3 of her tail, asked me what I wanted to do. I told them to make her comfy, treat with antibx, and test for feline leukemia. She seems to be healthy, 6-8 months old, and very friendly.
I've posted an ad on Craig's List, but, not knowing where she came on board or when makes it hard to know where to post signs. I'll try to find her owners (no microchip), but am trying to talk DH into keeping her.
We already have a Wilma, so I'm thinking her name needs to be Betty (cause I know I can talk him into keeping her).
Vet was kind and only charged me $75 for the whole deal. I feel guilty and fried from the adrenaline surge.
_________________
Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

[The Edifying Conscience]

[Home-Based-Mom]

Poor kitty!

Your vet sounds like a keeper!
_________________
Sandi ~ learning to live in a world obsessed and infested with wheat.
"If it wasn't food 100 years ago, it isn't food now." Mike Huckabee
Support Operation Christmas Child

[ostrich]

Niki - We did something similar. I had to restrain him under my leg and use my hands to get the nail caps on. DH was in charge of putting glue in the caps. This cat doesn't even like to be picked up without his permission, so I'm doubting another try at clipping/caps will work. (FWIW I do keep their nails trimmed. I just don't think I'll be able to keep them trimmed enough to not damage the couch.)

We do cover up other pieces of furniture I don't care about as much, like the computer chairs. It keeps the vast amounts of hair off too. But the fabric's weave is pretty strong. They haven't been able to claw those yet.

Nance - Holy cow! I'm glad the poor thing is safe. Poor thing must've been so scared and in pain. She's probably a stray. I'm hoping you get to keep her too.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

Time falls away, but these small hours
These little wonders still remain

[cultureslayer]

[ostrich]

[Home-Based-Mom]

Berkeley bans cat declawing
_________________
Sandi ~ learning to live in a world obsessed and infested with wheat.
"If it wasn't food 100 years ago, it isn't food now." Mike Huckabee
Support Operation Christmas Child

[ostrich]

[jsb]

What I've done is started by going about nail trimming slowly. I'll arm myself with clippers and yummy cat treats (BTW I hate the guillotine clippers and only use the scissors-action ones). I'll get a cat in my lap and nice and calm, then feed a treat and clip one nail. Then I pet the cat until he purrs, and stop. Doing that frequently, I gradually work to doing more and more nails per session.

Declawing the rear paws is more traumatic than the front, IMHO. I would use it as a last resort, so I would urge you to try getting them used to clipping nails or putting soft paws on before getting them declawed.

That said, I will admit I have a cat that rarely if ever gets his nails clipped. He was a feral kitten, and coming up to me and sitting in my lap is such a rare occurrence (even 14 years later) that I hate to mess it up by doing something to him. I know I won't touch him for a long time after if I try something. Plus, I've met plenty of cats that are too grouchy to be handled the way I described!
_________________
Jen
GF since 10/07

[nancw]

Miss Annie has settled in nicely, taking over all of Miss Wilma's (our 2 1/2 year old kitty) spots, dishes, laps, etc. Everyone is getting along fine. A little catnip, new toys and cat tree have gone a long way in harmonizing the feline population. They are chasing each other around the house and having mock battles. No fur flying and no real drama.

I've had no responses to lost and found ads so I figure we'll keep her. She needs to be spayed and microchipped, but that's ok.
The bandage is off, and she is actually leaving her stiches alone. She has about 1/3 of her tail left. She is friendly and nice, and has bonded with my son.

They clipped her claws when she had her surgery. I really like this and hope I can continue the practice at home somehow.


_________________
Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

[HadassahSukkot]

This book may help:

The Tiger on Your Couch: What the Big Cats Can Teach You About Living in Harmony With Your House Cat

My sister got that book and it greatly reduced the scratching and odd behaviors of her baby girls... she simply had to rearrange the furniture in the living room, position a scratching post and keep a spray bottle handy. All three of her kitties (one is a new addition) are not declawed.
_________________