What do you feel like saying, right now?

[*winter*]

I wouldn’t recommend getting a cat declawed, but I’m sure CG will weigh in as well.


CG, sorry about your dog. And Matt Gaetz.

[Phrozen Sands]

Originally Posted by *winter*

I wouldn’t recommend getting a cat declawed, but I’m sure CG will weigh in as well.

Why? You think it’ll make it hard for her to catch these mice?

[andthen]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

I’m glad you got the hell out of that one, andthen. Your post and CG’s post are connected in a sense about trying to change dudes. Makes sense.

Yeah I am glad I got out too. Ironically the dude ended up I think marrying the chick he took up with immediately after we were dunzo. Not my headache I honestly have had zero communication with him, and when I saw his name pop on people you might know on fb I immediately blocked him. When I left, I left, and gave him a few choice words during my last phone call with him.

After long while, I did find a wonderful guy who I married. He modeled lots kindness towards everyone (including my mom who could be a challenge) so it make me want to be more patient with my mom which I am glad his good behavior encouraged me to be more understanding with my mom, as she passed away a few years after we got married. But I do know my mom was relieved I did find someone and got to see me get married before she passed.

OMG the mouser stories with the cats though!! If I had a cat and it dropped a mouse on my bed, I would have grabbed the cat and burn the house down. Although my parent's last dog managed to catch a few mice and she ate them Although I think I'm still traumatized from talking to my aunt who lives in LA and she told me she was having work done at her house they left a door open and a rat got in....again, would have gotten my loved ones including beloved pets outta there and lit the house on fire

[agzg]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

Why? You think it’ll make it hard for her to catch these mice?

It could, but also "declaw" is a misnomer - think about what it would take to take off your fingernails and stop them from ever growing back. You'd need to amputate your fingers up to the first knuckle. It's the same thing to declaw a cat.

Declawed cats can become aggressive and begin biting since they don't have claws use to send you a clear "get away" signal. They also struggle if they find themselves outside with other cats and no good way to defend themselves.

If you haven't already, try putting scratching posts (TALL ones so she can get a good stretch) next to the furniture and move the cat to the post when it starts scratching at the furniture. Have a few of those cardboard scratching posts around. Regular nail trimming will also discourage scratching. Tons of toys about (although your mice are serving as fun toys now).

On some level a cat's just gonna scratch, but being thoughtful about what furniture you have around (is it really satisfiying to pick at? cat's gonna love to scratch it) and having lots of alternatives for her to scratch at can help a ton.

[carnation]

Our cat has brought in live lizards and snakes but at least they've been non-venomous here in north Georgia. When I was growing up in south Texas, our cat would dart into the house with coral snakes.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by agzg

It could, but also "declaw" is a misnomer - think about what it would take to take off your fingernails and stop them from ever growing back. You'd need to amputate your fingers up to the first knuckle. It's the same thing to declaw a cat.

Declawed cats can become aggressive and begin biting since they don't have claws use to send you a clear "get away" signal. They also struggle if they find themselves outside with other cats and no good way to defend themselves.

If you haven't already, try putting scratching posts (TALL ones so she can get a good stretch) next to the furniture and move the cat to the post when it starts scratching at the furniture. Have a few of those cardboard scratching posts around. Regular nail trimming will also discourage scratching. Tons of toys about (although your mice are serving as fun toys now).

On some level a cat's just gonna scratch, but being thoughtful about what furniture you have around (is it really satisfiying to pick at? cat's gonna love to scratch it) and having lots of alternatives for her to scratch at can help a ton.

What a treat to see you here Miss you sister and former convention roomie!

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

WIFLSRN: This week for me has been the week from hell. I’ve been in a mood and not the nicest person to be around. In the same week, my worst nightmare came true on November 5th, and a few days after that, I had to have my dog put to sleep. She was very sick. I miss her SO much!

I'm so sorry to hear about Daisy I bet she's playing with my Charlie right now though.

[PrettyBoy]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

You only mentioned the nations involved.
.

I’ll have to look it up and get back to you on that.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

My cat is a great mouser. She got two of them already. The problem is she keeps bringing the mice to me.

Originally Posted by carnation

Are they headless when she brings them? For some weird reason, our cat has already savaged her prey when she brings it.

It’s kind of like a treat from them to you. Depending on the age of the cat, they also will sometimes call themselves showing you how to hunt. It’s what they do with other cats or people they trust.

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

I’m glad you got the hell out of that one, andthen. Your post and CG’s post are connected in a sense about trying to change dudes. Makes sense.

The value people place on themselves has a lot to do with the kind of love they receive.

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

Speaking of mice. I want to get this cat declawed because she’s tearing up my furniture. But at the same time, I don’t know if getting it done will make it hard for her to catch these damn mice.

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

Why? You think it’ll make it hard for her to catch these mice?

She would still be able to catch mice, it’s just that a cat’s claws help with running, jumping, and they also help them with their balance.

agzg is spot on. But just to add, they scratch for numerous reasons. Some of those reasons are obvious, but others are not and more subtle. Cats also scratch as a marking behavior. Kind of like pee mail, but visual. The visual marking behavior is like a survival instinct they have. It also enables them to leave a mark relating to a sense of smell through scent glands in their paw pads. So like for outdoor cats, when they press their paws against a tree or something to scratch, the scent glands release pheromones, which contain valuable information about her. Again, kind of like pee mail. So, if a visiting cat approaches that tree with the other cat’s information on it, the visiting cat will receive more information from the cat who left the scratch marks. And then too, scratching conditions the cat’s claws. They have like a sheath which is dead sheath, and that falls off when they scratch, exposing the new part of the nail.

Phrozen, for many years I watched cats try to recover from declaw surgery, and sometimes, not all of these surgeries are done well. I’ve seen one and sometimes more claws grow back, usually incorrectly, which causes even more pain. There’s other complications like slight bleeding, bone chips being left, or ongoing pain. I have not seen that in my experience with my patients, but it can and does happen.

I’m actually required here in the state of Minnesota to provide a full education about the scratching behavior and other alternatives before going into discussions about the declawing itself. We never are to inform clients or present to them that declawing is a routine procedure, because it’s not. Ideally, cats should be trained to use a scratching post or scratching pads, eliminating the need for this kind of surgery.

How old is your cat again? I think I remember you saying a year or something? I’m asking because if you are going to still have it done, regardless, it’s best to do it when a kitten is like 3 months old or older. Honestly? I tell my clients that it’s even better to put it off until a kitten is 4 to 5 months old. It’s just that young cats learn to cope without claws more quickly than adult cats. And then, ask your vet about her preferences. Not all vets do this, but I personally prefer to suture the skin closed with absorbable suture material with my patients, but your vet might not practice that. Each vet is different and has their own preferences.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by *winter*

CG, sorry about your dog. And Matt Gaetz.

Originally Posted by AGDee

I'm so sorry to hear about Daisy I bet she's playing with my Charlie right now though.

Thank you winter! Thank you, Dee! Aww, I remember Charlie. Yes, they are having a wonderful time. Teddy, too. Since they are all from Michigan, they’re all wearing MSU doggie onesies.