My cats are clawing me out of house and home!
My 2 cats like to claw things(especially me!) I don't want to declaw them,
but I doupt I can afford to buy any Soft Paws. Is there an easier way to keep them from clawing without training them? -- Message posted via http://www.catkb.com |
"Mariah Nichols via CatKB.com" wrote:
My 2 cats like to claw things(especially me!) I don't want to declaw them, but I doupt I can afford to buy any Soft Paws. Is there an easier way to keep them from clawing without training them? You do not have to train a cat to do something it very much needs to do. The trick is to provide them with something they would like to claw. There are many such things, you can buy them or make them. Claws are the essence of a cat. Cats depend on their claws for exercise, play, self-defense, and hunting. Removing a cat's claws is effectively crippling it. Good luck. |
"Mariah Nichols via CatKB.com" wrote in message
... My 2 cats like to claw things(especially me!) I don't want to declaw them, but I doupt I can afford to buy any Soft Paws. Is there an easier way to keep them from clawing without training them? And you think paying for a declawing surgery will be *less* expensive than Soft Paws??! Will cleaning up the results of their improper elimination when they avoid use of the litter box because of the pain of amputated toes take any *less* effort than some simple training? If you're not a troll, and really *do* care about your cats, buy or make a scratching post, get some catnip, and put forth a *minimum* of effort to train them to use it! Hugs, CatNipped -- Message posted via http://www.catkb.com |
In article ,
enlightened us with... My 2 cats like to claw things(especially me!) I don't want to declaw them, but I doupt I can afford to buy any Soft Paws. Is there an easier way to keep them from clawing without training them? You want easy with no training? Remove the items from your home. ;) Now, since we know that isn't going to happen... All changes in behavior are a result of training. Softclaws are meant to be used as a training aid, not as a replacement for training. Like those head halter collar things for dogs. They don't teach in and of themselves. They simply give you a means to an end. You still have to show the animal the proper behavior and PRAISE IT. Stop thinking of training as some huge, horrible, lengthy process that you aren't capable of. It is small things, throughout the day, on a daily basis. Consistency is the key. Clip their nails (or pay the whole $5 for a groomer to do it) to reduce damage. Start correcting their behavior. Give them acceptable things to claw and praise the hell out of them for using them. Redirect inappropriate scratching to appropriate things and make inappropriate things less attractive (scent them with citrus or move them or put tape on them or whatever). When you see them using the right thing, PRAISE THEM. Give a treat, a pet, playtime, whatever. Something positive to them. When you catch them doing the wrong thing, interrupt the behavior (clap, NO, penny-can, etc), then call, coax, or bring them to the right place, and PRAISE THEM. It isn't rocket science, I promise. Remember -- inappropriate or "wrong" are simply human definitions. The cat doesn't attach a monetary value to your couch. You don't expect a dog not to chew the "wrong" things or a child not to draw on the "wrong" things simply by osmosis. Don't expect a cat to just not claw the "wrong" things, either. Teach it. -- -- ~kaeli~ I love God. It's His fanclub that I can't stand. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace |
Mariah Nichols via CatKB.com wrote:
My 2 cats like to claw things(especially me!) I don't want to declaw them, but I doupt I can afford to buy any Soft Paws. Is there an easier way to keep them from clawing without training them? What YOUR problem? Are you really that incapable of trimming your cats' claws with a specialized clipper? |
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On Thu 05 May 2005 01:39:25p, kaeli wrote in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav ): In article , enlightened us with... My 2 cats like to claw things(especially me!) I don't want to declaw them, but I doupt I can afford to buy any Soft Paws. Is there an easier way to keep them from clawing without training them? You want easy with no training? Remove the items from your home. ;) Now, since we know that isn't going to happen... All changes in behavior are a result of training. Softclaws are meant to be used as a training aid, not as a replacement for training. Like those head halter collar things for dogs. They don't teach in and of themselves. They simply give you a means to an end. You still have to show the animal the proper behavior and PRAISE IT. Stop thinking of training as some huge, horrible, lengthy process that you aren't capable of. It is small things, throughout the day, on a daily basis. Consistency is the key. Clip their nails (or pay the whole $5 for a groomer to do it) to reduce damage. Start correcting their behavior. Give them acceptable things to claw and praise the hell out of them for using them. Redirect inappropriate scratching to appropriate things and make inappropriate things less attractive (scent them with citrus or move them or put tape on them or whatever). When you see them using the right thing, PRAISE THEM. Give a treat, a pet, playtime, whatever. Something positive to them. When you catch them doing the wrong thing, interrupt the behavior (clap, NO, penny-can, etc), then call, coax, or bring them to the right place, and PRAISE THEM. It isn't rocket science, I promise. Remember -- inappropriate or "wrong" are simply human definitions. The cat doesn't attach a monetary value to your couch. You don't expect a dog not to chew the "wrong" things or a child not to draw on the "wrong" things simply by osmosis. Don't expect a cat to just not claw the "wrong" things, either. Teach it. Nicely put. This post should be part of an FAQ if anyone ever puts one together. :) -- Cheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields |
kaeli wrote:
Remember -- inappropriate or "wrong" are simply human definitions. The cat doesn't attach a monetary value to your couch. So true. Animals are cool that way. Not necessarily easy to cope with, but no mind games. |
Mariah Nichols via CatKB.com wrote: My 2 cats like to claw things(especially me!) I don't want to declaw them, but I doupt I can afford to buy any Soft Paws. Is there an easier way to keep them from clawing without training them? -- Message posted via http://www.catkb.com I think your cats must think you are a cat, do they "claw" each other too? How bad and where are they clawing you. |
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