Scratching is a natural instinct, not out of boredom. Get him a scratching post (preferably something with catnip, to encourage that behavior on said post), as a proper place to do so. Some cats, however, don't like posts and still insist on scratching your crap.
SoftPaws are caps that you glue to your pets paws, so it's less destructive when he does scratch. This is a 2 person job, however, so get a friend! Cats also periodically shed their nails, so you will have to reapply new ones when the old ones fall off.
If it's extreme, or he scratches you, he can be declawed (he shouldn't be older than 2, though as it can be more traumatic when he' older than that). Many people are against it and fanatics will tell you it cripples your cat and makes him mean. Not true. If done properly and at a young enough age, it can be very painless and most cats I see are acting like nothing happed the next day! Go to a vet that has a LASER for this procedure (SOOOOO much less bleeding and swelling, less chance of infection, cleaner cuts, easier healing time), and make sure it's a good vet. Remember that you get what you pay for. $200 for a lasre procedure sounds expensive, but it's healthier for him in the long run. If you go to a vet that'll do it for $50, you'll get exactly a $50 procedure- with consequences.
I don't advocate declawing as a first option. but it's not as awful as people think it is, and in some cases it is necessary (like when older peoepl have "scratchy" cats, and they're on blood thinners....).
Answered by
Katie
at
Jan 17, 2010 11:59 PM
