Help! Need declawing alternatives!

I'm sorry if this got posted multiple times, I keep getting an error
message.

I have a one year old cat. He's very playful and wild. I have
scratches all over my arms, hands, legs, and face from his little
"play" attacks. It's hard for me to get truly angry at him, because
he's just playing...he doesn't mean to hurt me so much. And it
REALLY, REALLY hurts -- I'm sure my neighbors have heard me scream in
agony when he's dug his razor sharp claws into my skin.

I really don't want to declaw him! But if I don't figure out what to
do, I'm going to HAVE to get rid of him, despite how much I love that
little guy. There's no way I can continue this. I am always even
worried about having people over, because he attacks my guests!

I've only seen one declawing alternative online...I believe it was
called SoftPaws. This also concerns me, because I can't imagine my
cat letting me put these things on his claws without massive
bloodshed. But if people have truly found sucess with SoftPaws, I
could try to find a way.

Does anyone know about SoftPaws? Or any other declawing alternatives?

THANKS!!! Your responses are much appreciated, I'm in a really bad
situation here, because I love my cat, but I can't keep him if I don't
find a solution!

"Leonessa" wrote in message
om...
I'm sorry if this got posted multiple times, I keep getting an error
message.

I have a one year old cat. He's very playful and wild.


First, train him. When he comes at you with his claws out, a
gentle "plunk" from your thumb and forefinger on the paw
will make him retract them. If he scratches you, say OW
loudly and tell him no. Take him into another room where
he has a box and food and water, and leave him there
every time he scratches you. Be patient.

Softpaws is a good idea, but you still have to
train him.

I had my first cat declawed, and she lived to be very
old. However, I will never forget how she looked when
she came home from the vet. I did not understand that
it was mutilation. I did right by her, never ever let her
out, etc. But I would never do it to a cat again. I have
trained my current rescue not to scratch. Get your boy
some nice scratching pads/posts, too. When he claws
furniture or rugs, pick him up and take him the the posts
or pads. If you are willing to take the time and patience
to train your baby boy, you will not have to live with
mutilating him. (They chop off their toes.) Good luck.

"Leonessa" wrote in message
om...
I'm sorry if this got posted multiple times, I keep getting an error
message.

I have a one year old cat. He's very playful and wild.


First, train him. When he comes at you with his claws out, a
gentle "plunk" from your thumb and forefinger on the paw
will make him retract them. If he scratches you, say OW
loudly and tell him no. Take him into another room where
he has a box and food and water, and leave him there
every time he scratches you. Be patient.

Softpaws is a good idea, but you still have to
train him.

I had my first cat declawed, and she lived to be very
old. However, I will never forget how she looked when
she came home from the vet. I did not understand that
it was mutilation. I did right by her, never ever let her
out, etc. But I would never do it to a cat again. I have
trained my current rescue not to scratch. Get your boy
some nice scratching pads/posts, too. When he claws
furniture or rugs, pick him up and take him the the posts
or pads. If you are willing to take the time and patience
to train your baby boy, you will not have to live with
mutilating him. (They chop off their toes.) Good luck.

Does anyone know about SoftPaws? Or any other declawing alternatives?

Your vet or vet tech can put them on for you. I also suggest that you teach him
how to play differently. This is why it's not a good idea to let kittens bite
or scratch as play. When they get older, it hurts. This also happens when some
kitties are separated from mom too early. Mom would teach him not to play with
claws out. I would play with him with toys on a string, never hand to cat.
Reward him for proper play. Say NO real loud if he scratches you and leave him
alone. If that doesn't work, get a squirt gun. Don't scratch his belly. It
might trigger scratching. Only touch him when you are petting him. I couldn't
play with one of my cats directly or he'd slice me to ribbons. I also suggest
wearing a sweatshirt, jeans, shoes until he learns. When he gets older, he'll
calm down more. Exercise his youthful energy with toys. Good luck.

Does anyone know about SoftPaws? Or any other declawing alternatives?

Your vet or vet tech can put them on for you. I also suggest that you teach him
how to play differently. This is why it's not a good idea to let kittens bite
or scratch as play. When they get older, it hurts. This also happens when some
kitties are separated from mom too early. Mom would teach him not to play with
claws out. I would play with him with toys on a string, never hand to cat.
Reward him for proper play. Say NO real loud if he scratches you and leave him
alone. If that doesn't work, get a squirt gun. Don't scratch his belly. It
might trigger scratching. Only touch him when you are petting him. I couldn't
play with one of my cats directly or he'd slice me to ribbons. I also suggest
wearing a sweatshirt, jeans, shoes until he learns. When he gets older, he'll
calm down more. Exercise his youthful energy with toys. Good luck.

Hi,
Maybe you could give him a large soft toy that he could take out his
aggression on . You could drag it around on a long piece of string or
throw it so he doesn't get you by mistake .

--
Alison

"Leonessa" wrote in message
om...
I'm sorry if this got posted multiple times, I keep getting an error
message.

I have a one year old cat. He's very playful and wild. I have
scratches all over my arms, hands, legs, and face from his little
"play" attacks. It's hard for me to get truly angry at him, because
he's just playing...he doesn't mean to hurt me so much. And it
REALLY, REALLY hurts -- I'm sure my neighbors have heard me scream
in
agony when he's dug his razor sharp claws into my skin.

I really don't want to declaw him! But if I don't figure out what
to
do, I'm going to HAVE to get rid of him, despite how much I love
that
little guy. There's no way I can continue this. I am always even
worried about having people over, because he attacks my guests!

I've only seen one declawing alternative online...I believe it was
called SoftPaws. This also concerns me, because I can't imagine my
cat letting me put these things on his claws without massive
bloodshed. But if people have truly found sucess with SoftPaws, I
could try to find a way.

Does anyone know about SoftPaws? Or any other declawing
alternatives?

THANKS!!! Your responses are much appreciated, I'm in a really bad
situation here, because I love my cat, but I can't keep him if I
don't
find a solution!

Hi,
Maybe you could give him a large soft toy that he could take out his
aggression on . You could drag it around on a long piece of string or
throw it so he doesn't get you by mistake .

--
Alison

"Leonessa" wrote in message
om...
I'm sorry if this got posted multiple times, I keep getting an error
message.

I have a one year old cat. He's very playful and wild. I have
scratches all over my arms, hands, legs, and face from his little
"play" attacks. It's hard for me to get truly angry at him, because
he's just playing...he doesn't mean to hurt me so much. And it
REALLY, REALLY hurts -- I'm sure my neighbors have heard me scream
in
agony when he's dug his razor sharp claws into my skin.

I really don't want to declaw him! But if I don't figure out what
to
do, I'm going to HAVE to get rid of him, despite how much I love
that
little guy. There's no way I can continue this. I am always even
worried about having people over, because he attacks my guests!

I've only seen one declawing alternative online...I believe it was
called SoftPaws. This also concerns me, because I can't imagine my
cat letting me put these things on his claws without massive
bloodshed. But if people have truly found sucess with SoftPaws, I
could try to find a way.

Does anyone know about SoftPaws? Or any other declawing
alternatives?

THANKS!!! Your responses are much appreciated, I'm in a really bad
situation here, because I love my cat, but I can't keep him if I
don't
find a solution!

In m,
Mary being of bellicose mind posted:
"Leonessa" wrote in message
om...
I'm sorry if this got posted multiple times, I keep getting an
error message.

I have a one year old cat. He's very playful and wild.


First, train him. When he comes at you with his claws out, a
gentle "plunk" from your thumb and forefinger on the paw
will make him retract them. If he scratches you, say OW
loudly and tell him no. Take him into another room where
he has a box and food and water, and leave him there
every time he scratches you. Be patient.

Softpaws is a good idea, but you still have to
train him.

I had my first cat declawed, and she lived to be very
old. However, I will never forget how she looked when
she came home from the vet. I did not understand that
it was mutilation. I did right by her, never ever let her
out, etc. But I would never do it to a cat again. I have
trained my current rescue not to scratch. Get your boy
some nice scratching pads/posts, too. When he claws
furniture or rugs, pick him up and take him the the posts
or pads. If you are willing to take the time and patience
to train your baby boy, you will not have to live with
mutilating him. (They chop off their toes.) Good luck.

Mary, you make a good point. Teach the cat what is NOT acceptable
"play." I have done this with several cats over the years. When
one would jump out and nail my bare leg with claws out or bite me on
the back of the ankle even though in a playful way, I'd grab him/her
by the scruff of the neck or at the shoulders and dunk 'em under the
faucet of cold running water. Hey... I don't like getting scratched
or bit and cats (universally) don't like water. Even Steven. It
took less than a month to break the habit. "We" can still rough
house but the claws stay withdrawn unless a dunking in desired.
--

~~Philip

"Never let school interfere
with your education - Mark Twain"

In m,
Mary being of bellicose mind posted:
"Leonessa" wrote in message
om...
I'm sorry if this got posted multiple times, I keep getting an
error message.

I have a one year old cat. He's very playful and wild.


First, train him. When he comes at you with his claws out, a
gentle "plunk" from your thumb and forefinger on the paw
will make him retract them. If he scratches you, say OW
loudly and tell him no. Take him into another room where
he has a box and food and water, and leave him there
every time he scratches you. Be patient.

Softpaws is a good idea, but you still have to
train him.

I had my first cat declawed, and she lived to be very
old. However, I will never forget how she looked when
she came home from the vet. I did not understand that
it was mutilation. I did right by her, never ever let her
out, etc. But I would never do it to a cat again. I have
trained my current rescue not to scratch. Get your boy
some nice scratching pads/posts, too. When he claws
furniture or rugs, pick him up and take him the the posts
or pads. If you are willing to take the time and patience
to train your baby boy, you will not have to live with
mutilating him. (They chop off their toes.) Good luck.

Mary, you make a good point. Teach the cat what is NOT acceptable
"play." I have done this with several cats over the years. When
one would jump out and nail my bare leg with claws out or bite me on
the back of the ankle even though in a playful way, I'd grab him/her
by the scruff of the neck or at the shoulders and dunk 'em under the
faucet of cold running water. Hey... I don't like getting scratched
or bit and cats (universally) don't like water. Even Steven. It
took less than a month to break the habit. "We" can still rough
house but the claws stay withdrawn unless a dunking in desired.
--

~~Philip

"Never let school interfere
with your education - Mark Twain"

"Philip ®" wrote in message
ink.net...
In m,
....
.... I'd grab him/her
by the scruff of the neck or at the shoulders and dunk 'em under the
faucet of cold running water.
Philip

Good way to teach your cat not to trust you. Also a good way to get
scratched while dunking the cat.
You don't have to be a bully to teach your cat to be careful.
Annie