Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

New pet owner here. We have had her about a month. Love the cat the only issue I now have is that she suddenly is scratching my kids. I have a 3 yr old and 8 month old now I never leave the baby alone with the kat but as I was helping my older one brush her teeth I heard him crying and she was just jumping up and scratching at his face while he was in his crib. Bearing in mind that she is technically still a kitten (about 8 months) and she still needs to be spayed I am hoping she calms down but are there any alternatives to declawing? I'm not a big fan of that because it's painful to the cat) I saw theses little caps that glue on the cats nails to cover them. Wondering if these work or if there is something less invasive I can do?

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

The cat is probably just playing. Honestly there isn't anything you can really do to keep the nails protected. And as you said, declawing is extremely cruel, painful and inhumane. How old is the cat?

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

Yes declawing is def inhumane and painful. She is very young and sounds like she is playing. I agree with the poster above, you must supervise your child at all times when with any animal. Can not leave them alone even for a second. The calmest animal can get scared and accidentally hurt a child. Also the other way around. A small child can easily hurt a young animal. She will learn not to use her claws. When you play with her and if she swipes you with her claws let her know it hurts. My cat used to do the same and now never takes her claws out

Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

she's a baby still so she's still learning what is ok and what isn't you have to constantly say "no" or "ow" when she is playing to rough. Cats don't like the loud noise so she will soon learn not to do it anymore if you are consistent with it!

Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

Also, keep the cat's nails trimmed. The cat is more likely to scratch if the nails are too long and sharp. My rule is, if you can see them sharp when the paw is at rest, it is time to cut them.

I know some people that use the claw caps and they don't have issues with them, besides the fact that they need to be replaced and reglued.

Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

I co worker just put the caps on and she said they worked for a short term solution

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

She should grow out of it. My kitten did the same. It's their way of playing (unless she is hissing). Be firm with her say "no" in a stern voice and remove her from the room, spay hey with a water bottle/ squirter when she she's does it. They learn quickly. Please consider finding her a new home before you declaw. It's absolutely awful for them. Spaying may help too. I would definitely have her spayed if she is already right months.

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

Message edited 11/25/2015 9:00:05 AM.

Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

I have never tried the claw covers but it is worth a shot. We have two kittens at home and they are very playful and usually do not intend to hurt unless the kids are too rough with them. I have found that a water spray bottle is the best 'teacher'. Use that to spray her when she is near the crib or behaving badly and they catch on very quick to avoid that location or behavior.

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

They do eventually grow out of the scratching/playing.

I do keep my cat's nails trimmed and blunted.
If you start getting them used to nail trimming early, they are usually good with it.

I have been trimming their nails myself since they were babies and they let me do it with no issues.

I do it often as I find their nails grow fast and get very sharp.

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

As others have said she will grow out of it. Our kitty didn't know he was doing something "wrong" so to speak, until we corrected the behavior. Now he play swats without releasing his claws.

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

I have 3 cats. We just adopted our 3rd, a kitten about the same age as yours.

She should calm down after she is spayed and as she gets older. If she was a stray she's used to spending her time outside among other cats and not having to follow any rules so to speak.

As others have said, definitely keep her nails trimmed.

Also, make sure she has a place to scratch - scratching post or one of those scratching box thingies. Pet smart/Petco has them.

Finally, you need to correct the behavior when it happens. We found that using the spray bottle technique works the best. Whenever the cat does a behavior you don't want her to do anymore just spray her with the water bottle. Cats tend to hate water so it immediately gets them to stop without hurting them.

I don't have any experience with the claw caps. I know Jessica Seinfeld uses them (I follow her on Instagram). LOLOL.

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

I worry about the claw caps as choking hazards to children and pets; I imagine it is possible that they could fall off.

Can you clip the nails regularly?

Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

I would just clip the claws. I never considered declawing my cat and I just clip her claws regularly.

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

I have two cats and a 2 year old and a 5 month old. I personally would never declaw my cats. Since yours is still a kitten there needs to be a little bit of training. Carry around a spray bottle and when you see the cat doing this spray her/him with water.

She's also probably playing now and doesn't know the diff. Make sure to clip the claws often though so they never get that long or sharp

Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

Oh and I also always have the bedroom doors closed to the nurseries so the cats never go on there. Especially when they're sleeping in he cribs.

Re: Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

Question for cat owners - alternative to declawing?

Declawing a cat is like removing the tips of your fingers from the knuckle up. Firm no, and a gentle grab at the scruff of the neck the way a mama kitty would do worked for our kitten. She responds very well to no now. also, I use a cardboard cat scratcher from Trader Joes that both cats love to pieces. Put in a little cat nip and they scratch away on that!!!