What is wrong with Destiny?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
What is wrong with Destiny?
5
Thu, 03-24-2005 - 9:28pm

Hi everyone!



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 03-25-2005 - 5:55am

Welcome back Tammie!!

Cat =^..^=
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 03-25-2005 - 9:32am

Yeah, she's a big girl now (see attached pic) and calls Destiny "meow, meow".



Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 03-25-2005 - 5:38pm

Hi Tammie.


Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2003
Mon, 03-28-2005 - 4:05pm

Hi Tammie,
Is it possible to postpone the declawing and try working with Destiny a bit more to get her to use a scratching post? It can be done. She may not like the one you have for her. I have several different posts for my cats and some like one kind and some like another. But the three cats I have now and the ones I've had in the past have all gotten used to the scratching posts and none used them when they first moved in. I would dangle a toy near right near a scratching post and when they grabbed it and started scratching the nearby post I would praise them. You can use a product like Feliway spray on areas you don't want a cat to scratch.

It is going to be traumatic for the cat to move to a new place, and being declawed will double the trauma. Plus, she may have trouble escaping from the toddler if she is in discomfort. She won't be as agile without her claws. The board Think Like a Cat with Pam Johnson-Bennett http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ptthinkcat can give you more advice on cats and toddlers and scratching posts, etc. Pam is a cat behaviorist with a solution for everything and two very young children.

If it is at all possible, please consider trying something before the drastic step of declawing. When you first move, it is wise to set up your cat in a sanctuary room to adjust a bit, before giving them the run of the new house. This could be an opportunity to try some scratching post training, as well as before the move.
Cynthia

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 03-31-2005 - 10:11pm

Thanks, Cynthia!