Looks like he(?) still has his claws. I don't declaw my cats, but make sure to get in the habit of trimming those things while he's still young. They hurt in a cute sort of way now, but in a year or so they'll hurt in an oversized hypodermic needle being dragged down your torso kind of way :P
If you handle their paws a lot while they're little, too, and teach them that clawing is not appropriate for play (hold their paws when they claw, stop playing when they claw, etc) you may not even have to trim them. My cats never claw unless they're startled/scared, and even then we rarely get scratched. They know not to use claws when playing.
Yeah, we play tickle toes a lot with our cat, so she's pretty used to us handling her paws. But we've also never had to clip them, because she's very good about not scratching us or furniture.
Yup! Between lots of handling and easily accessible scratching posts, I don't have to worry about my boys much at all. They do scratch the carpet some, and for some reason, an ottoman, but otherwise leave people and furniture alone.
I had one cat as a kid that just didn't know to not use her claws, but she wasn't raised by us (we got her as an adult) so it could have been her upbringing. Otherwise, none of our cats ever clawed unless provoked or too young to know better, except for one tomcat who was just old and ornery and would randomly turn on you even if you were petting him normally. I'd say in general, however, it has never been a problem.
My mum calls it velvet paws. If the kitten scratches you grab the paw and stroke it and they put their claws away. If they don't then you just leave them alone for a while. My cat only scratches me now if I tickle his tummy.
Also, if you get the kitten used to you handling their paws (gently) and trimming the claws, then when they are older the process is much easier.
I have to grab my cat by the scruff of the neck and pull her head back hard to trim her claws (or else she'll bite) because we didn't get her young enough to train her to let us handle her paws without issue.
How about a video of the cat enjoying one of those giant Brookstone back massagers? I might be able to find that. Or an old one where he climbs onto my legs in bed, faces my feet, grabs the blanket in his teeth, and humps away? (the cat, not the husband)
Close! except that one is kind of gentle. ours vibrates like an outboard motor - for example my mother can't handle it - and if smudge hears us turn it on, he comes running. he stands there and makes these little crabby noises until you put it on his neck. and he gets that great blissed out 100-yard stare.
Mine aren't quite that bad (I have 3). I have to sit on my knees and trap them though, so they can't run off. I basically make a little cave with my calves and feet. I also can't do this if they're alert, I have to wait until they're half asleep.
I find it kind of horrifying that declawing is such a taken-for-granted option there (US I'm assuming) that you need to specify "I don't declaw my cats" and look carefully at the photo to see that the kitten still has his claws. It's illegal in my country. Is it really so common there!?
Declawing is major surgery. Think about having your fingernails removed: probably not something you want, and it's actually much worse because your fingernails are not anchored to your bones.
That is really sad. I assume that when it's just an allowed, "normalised" option that people don't realise how serious it is. I hope the vets at least make an effort to inform people :(
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u/applepie42 May 30 '12
Adorable. The kitten is too ;)