Even if you love your cat to pieces, it can be frustrating to deal with a feline who insists on using your couch as his personal scratching post. If you have babies or small children, you may be afraid that your cat will scratch them.
Since declawing is not a humane solution, what other options do you have? Let's go over some of them: Trimming your cat's claws, training your cat to use a scratching post, and gluing Soft Paws to your cat's claws.
Trimming the claws can be a little tricky, but it can be done if you're careful and patient with your cat. The most important thing to remember is that you don't want to cut the quick of the claw! The quick is the pink tissue you see inside the claw. If you cut this, it will bleed freely. You want to cut halfway between the tip and the quick of the claw.
You can use regular nail clippers for the job, but it's easier to use special clippers made just for cats. Either way, you'll want your cat to be relaxed; it's a good idea to start when he's dozing in your lap.
Now for the scratching post method. You'll need a tall, sturdy post that can support your cat's weight and lets him stretch. Ideally, the post should be covered with a material that's easy to shred. Cats find great satisfaction in shredding things.
Teaching your cat to use a scratching post is going to take some time. You want to do this by rewarding your cat every time he uses the scratching post: Praise him, give him a treat. Make the scratching post more attractive with catnip.
You can discourage him from using the couch by making it as undesirable as possible. You could spray the area down with a citrus scent, something cats loathe. Or you could cover his favorite scratching spot with double-sided tape.
Finally, you could cover your cat's claws with the vinyl Soft Paws caps. You can order these online in sets of 40. They come in a wide variety of colors, though there are also transparent Soft Paws if you prefer not to make your cat look as though you painted his nails.
Unfortunately, Soft Paws don't stay on your cat's claws forever. You'll need to replace them periodically. However, if you can't seem to encourage your cat to use a scratching post, or if you're afraid of your cat scratching your kids, it's another option.
Although it will require a little patience on your part, it's possible to do something about your cat's scratching without getting him declawed. If you prefer to minimize the damage your cat does, considering trimming his claws or using Soft Paws. Teaching your cat to use a scratching post can also be effective if you're willing to be consistent and patient.
Catherine L. Conway is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about cats. To learn more about declawing alternatives, visit Should You Declaw Your Cat on Squidoo.
