About Dear Tabbi Expertise My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too.
Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again.
Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials ***********
Awards and Honors * One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
Question Hi. A year ago I adopted a cat I found wandering the halls of my apartment building. When I went to get her declawed the vet said they don't declaw cats 2 years and older. I've been dealing alright with her scratching, she'll scratch old furniture so I don't mind too much. But she started to scratch the walls and the screen to the patio door; so I got her a post. But she wont use it. I even tried to show her how to use it by running her paws along it, but she ignores it. How do I get her to scratch the post, or is it too late now that she's use to scratching furniture? thank you
Answer Courtney,
The first thing is to keep the cat's claws trimmed! Here is a website that shows with photos how to trim a cat's claws:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into the address bar)
Do not declaw! Declawing is an agonizingly painful procedure that may destroy a cat's trust in people for life. Declawed cats may stop using the litter box because it hurts them to walk on uneven surfaces. Declaw wounds may continue to cause pain for months or years. (Note that declawing cats is illegal in many countries, and in some municipalities in North America.)
Here are a couple articles to read about declawing:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)
The best way to prevent furniture being scratched is to get the cat a scratching post with hemp rope on it (instead of carpet). Or get a cat perch that the cat can get up on and look out the window. Rub cat nip on it to help start the scratching of it. Then if the cat uses the furniture, take the cat, saying "no!" and put it on the scratching post. Let the cat know it is OK to use his post but NOT the furniture. Keeping a rolled up newspaper handy helps get that point across.
It is a cats nature to sharpen their claws. It helps them shed the excess claws that grow. They do need an alternative available besides the furniture though or they will use that.
