Okay, I’ll say it, declawing cats is an understandable atrocity. Cats scratch the shit out of everything, and we do have ways to trim nails and stop them from growing without amputating part of the digit they’re attached to so I can understand the misconception. We just don’t do that for cats.
DEBARKING DOGS??? There’s no way that’s anything other than what I think it is.
Cats and scratching is like dogs and chewing. When young they have to be taught what is scratch able and what isn’t just like teaching a dog what is a toy and what isn’t. A well raised cat doesn’t scratch on anything other then scratching posts and other cat toys. A well raised dog doesn’t chew on shoes or other non-dog toys. Both might damage things they shouldn’t due to stress, but I have had multiple cats and dogs that didn’t damage anything they weren’t supposed to.
Clipping a cat’s claws is easily done, even if you only have a human toenail clipper (turn it sideways because claws are taller than they are wide). It helps if your cat has been trained from kittenhood that clipping involves treats, but if not, just do 1-2 at a time, followed by a treat, instead of all at once. Just get the tips, don’t cut down to the quick. You only need to do the “fingers” to lessen scratching damage. Be sure to provide something appealing that they’re encouraged to scratch and climb.
Okay, I’ll say it, declawing cats is an understandable atrocity. Cats scratch the shit out of everything, and we do have ways to trim nails and stop them from growing without amputating part of the digit they’re attached to so I can understand the misconception. We just don’t do that for cats.
DEBARKING DOGS??? There’s no way that’s anything other than what I think it is.
They surgically cut their vocal cords.
Cats and scratching is like dogs and chewing. When young they have to be taught what is scratch able and what isn’t just like teaching a dog what is a toy and what isn’t. A well raised cat doesn’t scratch on anything other then scratching posts and other cat toys. A well raised dog doesn’t chew on shoes or other non-dog toys. Both might damage things they shouldn’t due to stress, but I have had multiple cats and dogs that didn’t damage anything they weren’t supposed to.
Guess I missed the boat on my guy. I still love him and have learned to appreciate his artistic vision on the couches. :P
Clipping a cat’s claws is easily done, even if you only have a human toenail clipper (turn it sideways because claws are taller than they are wide). It helps if your cat has been trained from kittenhood that clipping involves treats, but if not, just do 1-2 at a time, followed by a treat, instead of all at once. Just get the tips, don’t cut down to the quick. You only need to do the “fingers” to lessen scratching damage. Be sure to provide something appealing that they’re encouraged to scratch and climb.