An alternative to declawing?

[AddFran]

Originally Posted by spacemonkey

I don't think it's been mentioned yet, but get into the habit of weekly nail clippings. My kittens nails have never been allowed to grow long and consequently, they nearly never scratch anything (the only time they do, I think, is more to stretch upwards than to really use their claws).

Same here. I had a scratching post for Addison, but it never got used. I eventually just tossed it out. If you just trim their nails every week or so, they don't seem to scratch at all. I have not had a single thing in my house pulled, snagged or scratched from Addison's nails.

[Celebsilmare]

Most of my scratch problems was with carpet rather than furniture. So I bought a sisal rope door mat and put it by the back door. They LOVE it! And they never scratch at the carpet anymore. I sprayed just a tiny bit of cat nip spray on it and after that they took right to it. I've even seen them use it to scratch their backs. (It's a little messy but better than any other alternative I've found so far)

Oh and i know all about the desire to resharpen. Ketesh runs over to our stone tables and immediately starts scratching after a trim. I only trim hers when it hurts when she walks on me (REALLY long claws on her!)

[coaster]

Originally Posted by Celebsilmare

So I bought a sisal rope door mat

hey....that's a WONDERFUL idea....Rocket uses my scratchers, but he STILL likes to take swipes at the carpet. I think he just likes a horizontal surface. I'm going to try to find one this week.