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Forum THE LOUNGE cat question

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    • Adalaide
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        I have a question about cats. My husband currently has a cat that is not allowed anywhere near the basement where our space and Freya’s is. This is because I am terribly allergic to him. His cat is altered but is trained to go outside rather than litter trained. Since he goes outside he obviously has claws in all four of his feet. About once a year his cat will get into a fight, get an abcess and require medical care. We have very different views on cats and in the course of discussing a kitten at some point in our future I told him in no uncertain terms it will NOT go outside and will NOT have claws as they are unneeded by an indoor only cat. This is a hotly debated topic in our house.

        The county laws state that it’s illegal for someone to let a cat be on someone elses property. It also states that if a cat is found running at large the owner will be strictly liable for any violations by the cat. As I understand it this means if the cat gets in a fight and injures someone else’s animal off our property the owner could sue our butts off. That aside (which should be reason enough) I have a serious problem with just letting cats, altered or not, roam free. I grew up on a farm with farm cats and am all too familiar with what a cat looks like after an altercation with a car. I’ve seen it all from bruises and scratches to crippling injuries to death. I certianly wouldn’t want this to happen to a pet. 

        I think talking him into keeping the cat indoors will be the easy part. The other concern is declawing a cat. His cat has ruined carpets and furniture and frankly I don’t want to get a cat and leave it with lisence to do so. Also, my allergies to short haired cats aren’t as bad so we’d let the kitten in our space meaning it would come into contact with Freya. Maybe it’s not humane or sane, but some cat injures my Freya and as soon as I get back from a vet I’ll be making a trip to a shelter. My husband says that’s harsh, I say prevent the problem in the first place. I’ve had cats with their claws removed in the past and they led happy, healthy indoor only lives.

        Anyway, this is a lot of words to get an opinion from people with cats. Is removing a cats claws humane? Why? If it is, would you recommend it before letting a cat around a rabbit?


      • BunnyLiz
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          All my cats have there front paws declawed. We left the back (or maybe they always leave the back?) in case the escaped outside at some point and needed to defend themselves. I close my door when Im not home so none of my cats can jump in their pen and get at the buns when im not home. Ive never had a problem with them, but just in case.


        • Monkeybun
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            Oh god.

            I have always been, and always WILL be against declawing cats. Its taking away their defense, if they ever DO get outside, which one way or another always happens, no matter how hard you try to keep them in. Cats are curious. They want to see what is out there. To me, its like ripping out a human’s fingernails. Would you do that? No… so don’t do it to your feline family members either.

            I have seen many cats with their claws get along fine with bunnies, as long as the cat was introduced at a young age so it would grow up with the bunny. Dogs can do it, so can cats.

            Its a very personal thing for me, as when I was young my grandma’s indoor cat got out one day when we were bringing her groceries, and the poor thing got mauled to death with no defense by a dog across the street when the kitty jumped on the fence to see what was there. Sorry if I sound harsh, but its torture.


          • katie, max & penny
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              I just see it like, how would you like someone to rip out your fingernails?


            • Adalaide
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                That’s so horrible, I’m sorry that happened. I will say that I have successfully had cats in the past that have actually never gotten outside. I wouldn’t remove back claws, I never did on my cats when I was a kid. Like Liz I’m more worried about what might happen when I’m not home. Having farm cats you learn a lot of things you never wanted to know. This includes what a bunny looks like when a hungry cat gets it.


              • Adalaide
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                  That’s so horrible, I’m sorry that happened. I will say that I have successfully had cats in the past that have actually never gotten outside. I wouldn’t remove back claws, I never did on my cats when I was a kid. Like Liz I’m more worried about what might happen when I’m not home. Having farm cats you learn a lot of things you never wanted to know. This includes what a bunny looks like when a hungry cat gets it.


                • ScooterandAnnette
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                    Declawing is worse than ripping out fingernails. In order to declaw they have to amputate the end part of the toes, so it’s basically like having your fingers cut off at the first knuckle.

                    It’s not a big deal to trim cat’s nails – we’ve got 3 cats and 3 foster kittens and I do the nails on all of them. It’s far easier than doing bunny nails.

                    http://www.declawing.com/

                    For the record all of the cats and kittens interact with the bunnies and we’ve never, ever had an issue with any of them going after or harming a bunny in any way.
                    – Annette


                  • Adalaide
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                      Thank you, that article is definately informative although I will point out one thing. The vet who wrote it also is trying to sell a product. That makes her infinately less credible. She clearly has a motive other than humane treatment of cats in mind and is trying to make a buck. Nothing wrong with that and it doesn’t invalidate her view, but I will do some more research to find what I consider a more credible source.

                      I don’t know why I didn’t think or this before, but if we rescued a cat under a year old who was already declawed we’d be rescuing some poor little guy and I’d be off the hook on the claw debate. Anyway, your opinions are very insightful and appreciated.


                    • BunnyLiz
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                        I dont want to debate with anyone, and I can see both sides. But out of all my cats none have ever gotten outside or had a need to defend themselves. I would declaw to ensure everyone is safe, my cats and buns do not always get along and one cat did swipe at Hammer on one occasion and im very thankful he had no front claws.


                      • Adalaide
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                          Liz, if I could get out of this debate I would. Hubby will want to get a kitten at some point and I just want this figured out before we’re at a shelter arguing like morons in front of the staff. Worse, I don’t want to be taking a cat back to the shelter after having it home for some time, which is exactly what would happen with one bunny injury. It’s not fair to the cat and not fair to my husband. It’s also not fair to Freya to bring an animal into her home if that animal poses any danger whatsoever to her. This would be so much easier if my husband were a dog person lol.


                        • BunnyLiz
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                            Lol agreed. Cats are a bit different because they can easily jump into the bunny pens. I know in my personal case its simple, all my cats have to have it done. To have to many animals to worry about fights breaking out, I add a cat or a dog and the rest take some time to adjust but would have hurt each other with claws. My feisty young cat still swipes at my older none tolerant cat. And without declawing to prevent injuries none of my cats would have a home here. I couldnt have brought them home without declawing them, so they would be on the streets.


                          • MimzMum
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                              I just had to add on here.
                              I had a beautiful Siamese cat when I was a preteen that I had to defend with a bb gun from neighborhood animals. She was allowed outdoors because there was no such thing as a house only cat in my childhood home and because we had expensive furniture that she would tear at, my mom had her declawed behind my back while I went to camp in 6th grade. I always felt terrible that my mom had done this to her. I can remember massaging her front paws for her over her lifetime, gently, but they were always sensitive and she never really liked them touched. I never forgave my mom for doing that to her.

                              It really is a horrible surgery. It does take away more than the claw and I have never understood why they do that. I have two indoor cats who both have intact claws and I just maintain a safe distance between them and my bunnies. Not necessary for anyone to lose an eye, after all. One of them is, luckily, terrified of the rabbits and won’t go near them. The other is a bit of a primadonna and thinks she owns the place, so I watch her. Mostly if the buns leave her alone, she’ll return the favor.

                              I agree that bunny and cat should be kept segregated. They’re on opposite ends of the food chain after all. I do not agree on declawing. I’ve had cats for years, there are other things you can do to encourage your cat to use it’s claws only on certain items, it’s just a matter of restriction. Difficult, but not impossible. And of course, if kitty will allow, you can trim those pesky needles to make them more blunt and save yourself the fate of becoming Mr. Whiskers’ pincushion. I actually have to blunt my older cats’ back claws very often also because she will tear tufts of fur and skin out from under her chin when she scratches herself if I don’t. It’s amazing how sharp they get if a cat can’t go outdoors and run the claws down on the street or scratch a tree.

                              Some laws are just silly. It’s probably there because the PEOPLE who own the animals are negligent. (Lets put THEM in a holding pen for 24-48 hours when their dog gets loose, and maybe he’ll come down with the credit card and the car to bail them out, eh?) Animals are naturally territorial and you can’t be with them every moment. I don’t like the idea of outdoors cats either (hey I live where it gets to be -40 in winter) but I agree they do lose a certain quality of life if they can’t get outside once in awhile. We’ve been trying for a few years now to get my littlest kitty to walk on a harness so I can take him out without losing him, because he tends to wander. But it just doesn’t work. Only the hubby can catch him and that’s if he gets to him in time. So I bring the outside to my kitty when I can. (He particularly likes the hayseed that grows in our yard to munch ever so often.) Funny, the other cat will walk with me in the yard and never stray more than five feet from my side at any one time. And of course, there’s our feral kitty, who hates winter only because it means she has to live in our boiler room for a few months while it’s really freezing out. (The only time I sleep well because I know where she is.) Otherwise, good luck catching her! And yet she survives because she has from when she was a tiny kitten. Each personality is different.

                              Anyway…off my soapbox, again. Sorry, I do tend to run on.


                            • ScooterandAnnette
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                                I hadn’t realized that one link was selling something, I was really tired and just did a quick search and took the first thing I found. Although I have to say that I have heard from several sources that the SoftPaws are wonderful.

                                Everything I have ever read has stated that declawing is horrendously cruel to cats. It’s a painful amputation that will affect them the rest of their lives. I can’t imagine how they can possibly walk properly or without pain with the tips of their toes cut off like that.

                                Here are a few other links:

                                http://cats.about.com/od/declawing/tp/reasonsnot.htm

                                http://cats.about.com/cs/declawing/a/declawing.htm

                                http://www.v4a.org/?q=node/252

                                http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/cat_care/declawing_cats_more_than_just_a_manicure/

                                I don’t want to be beating you over the head with links. It’s just that I grew up with cats, I love cats, and the thought of deliberately amputating for no medical reason honestly makes me feel ill.

                                Would you do the same thing to Freya and amputate if it wasn’t medically necessary to do it?
                                – Annette


                              • ScooterandAnnette
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                                  Scooter here.

                                  To follow up on our cats and bunnies: not only have we never had an issue with our cats never attacking the bunnies, we’ve noticed that if anything, it’s the bunnies that attack the cats! Bailey, for example, will occasionally get in mock “fights” with Sierra the cat, and would routinely “win” by forcing Sierra to run off. And the bunnies routinely chased away the foster kittens until they figured that the kitties had learned their place and were beneath their notice and contempt!


                                • sammyp
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                                     Hi,

                                     

                                    Whilst I understand your concern for the buns, I just want to say PLEASE don’t de-claw your cats. It’s an incredibly painful and unnecessary surgery for them and if the possibility of the cat harming your bunny is one that worries you too much, I’d say rather don’t get a cat than get one and have it de-clawed.  Here’s a bit more info on that, and actually that forum is exceptionally good for any cat questions you may still have.

                                     

                                    http://www.thecatsite.com/Care/34/D…icure.html


                                  • KytKattin
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                                      I always have this personal debate about the whole de-clawing thing. For one, there are millions of cats that are euthanized each year. Part of me feels like at least they have a chance at a good home if they are de-clawed, at least they will be alive. But another part of me knows how important claws are for a cat. I see our cats joyfully sink their claws into things. When they stretch they stretch all the way down to their toes, which are extended to the fullest. We have 5 cat trees in our house. The furniture is never touched. We only had problems with them when they were kittens. As many of our cats were raised from kittens I taught mine to allow nail clipping, but more importantly, I taught them to be respectful with their claws. When I’m raising a cat I like to pretend that they are going to grow into giant tigers, which are very dangerous if they decide to act out.


                                    • Monkeybun
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                                        I do have to add that my cats are the same with with furniture as KytKattin’s. They learned early in life that it was a no-no, and when I was little, we had free roam bunnies that lived fine with cats that still had claws. They just need to be taught what is not allowed, same as you would teach a child really.


                                      • Adalaide
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                                          I don’t know that I pointed this out, so I will now. I do not want a cat. I am allergic to cats. They’re cute in pictures and videos and as other people’s pets. I just am not a fan of having them around. Everyone’s input has been very helpful. I will say that yes, it does come down to declawed cat or no cat. So frankly we won’t be getting one unless we find one that is already declawed. I understand and respect the position of not doing in and the points are perfectly valid. We have the money to take care of the cat my husband has now and Freya. We do not have the additional money to spend on SoftPaws. The other thing I guess I didn’t think about til late last night when we were in the kitchen is that if something happened to me Freya and my husband would remain good friends. If somothing were to happen to my husband his cat would go to a shelter. I guess it’s just not really fair to a cat for us to get one. It’s the same reason we don’t get a dog. Maybe we’re just bunny people now.


                                        • Monkeybun
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                                            I’d say that don’t get a cat then, if you really don’t want one and are allergic. It wouldn’t be fair to you OR the cat in that situation. Stick with bunnies


                                          • ScooterandAnnette
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                                              if you don’t want a cat then absolutely do not get a cat, declawed or otherwise! If you do you’re just going to end up resenting the cat, which the cat will likely pick up on and that will likely lead to behavioural problems.

                                              In the meantime, to deal with the cat you have now, do you take anything for your allergies to try and make the situation more manageable? I ask because I’m actually allergic to my cats. And my dog. And the bunnies. And my garden. You get the idea. When I’m not taking anything then it’s horrible, but I take a generic Claritin every morning (Costco brand, super cheap) and a prescription nasal spray every night and it’s just astounding the difference that it makes. I’m just wondering if something like that would at least make dealing with the cat you have now a little more bearable. It seems a shame to have to live with something you have such a strong aversion to, it can’t make life easy.

                                              – Annette


                                            • Adalaide
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                                                I take Claritin for my allergies. We solved the problem of the cat he has now by simply banning it entirely from our downstairs living space. (We live in the basement.) I don’t know what’s different between his cat and a normal housecat other than his cat has long hair, but his cat makes me break out in hives. I’ve never had a reaction like that from a short haired cat and have no issues with taking an allergy medication to have an animal around. Heck, I’m allergic to hay! It’s perfectly clear that Freya is MY bunny. I am primarily responsible for her and her care. If a cat came into the house it would be his and he’d be responsible for it. The only reason we considered the option is because I don’t hate cats, I just don’t like them and I’m more than willing to tolerate one if it will make my husband happy. I’m just not sure I could ever get farther than tolerance. The last time I had an indoor cat of my own I was 14ish and I just kind of outgrew them and started liking other animals instead.

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                                            Forum THE LOUNGE cat question