Cat Chat

The Countertops are Irresistible

2005-02-19T18:22:00.000-08:00

Charley likes to get on the countertops. We tried using a squirt bottle on him whenever we caught him on the counter, but unfortunately, the only thing he learned is not to do it when we were around. It obviously did not teach him the countertop was forbidden territory. We still shoo him off every time we catch him on the countertop, but I turned my squirt bottle into a cleaning bottle. I filled it with water and a drop of dishwashing soap, and we just wipe down the countertop before we use it. Still, I'm wondering if anyone else has had any luck dissuading a cat from getting on the kitchen counters?

2005-02-13T12:48:00.000-08:00

Soft claws up close

2005-02-12T10:28:00.000-08:00

Charley's new soft claws

2005-02-12T10:14:00.000-08:00

Charley's new nails

Soft Claws--The first couple of weeks

2005-02-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

So far, none of the soft claws have stayed on for over a week. The product claims they'll stay on for 4-6 weeks. I believe part of the problem is the size. They are too big for Charley. The soft claws should just cover the tip of the claw and not abut the paw when the claw is retracted. I've taken to cutting them down to resolve this problem. And I believe if I had kitten size rather than smalls, the performance would be better.

Another issue that cannot be resolved is that when a cat loses the outer sheath of his claw, the soft claw comes off. However, I've taken to pulling the sheath out of the soft claw and reusing it, so the only loss is in time and effort. But Charley is very patient with the process, so it's no big deal.

A Few Minor Setbacks

2005-01-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

The first day, Charley had three of the soft claws come off. I glued them all back on, being sure to use extra glue. The one I was most concerned about was his thumb claw because it looked too small for the product--the soft claws are too big for it. Since then, all of the re-glued claws have stayed on, except for that one thumb. Because I do think the problem is the size, and I know he will grow into the soft claws, I've left the thumb off. He can't do much damage with a lone thumb claw. I probably should have bought the kitten size soft claws instead of the smalls, but he's growing so fast, I was afraid he'd grow out of the kitten size before we'd used the entire package.

The Soft Claw attaching process

2005-01-29T11:56:00.000-08:00

Actually, the process wasn't as tough as I thought it might be. We did the procedure standing up by the dining room window where the light was good. My mom held Charley, and would walk around with him--which he enjoys--while I put the glue in the next claw. Then she'd bring him back, and I slipped it on. He really doesn't seem to mind them, although this morning, he managed to remove one of the thumbnails. I wasn't too surprised. The soft claws are slightly on the large side for him, and his thumb claws seem smaller than his finger claws. We glued another one on. I made sure to use plenty of glue.

Now we watch and see.

Soft Claws have arrived

2005-01-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

Now, I'm reading the directions and getting my guts together to put them on. We shall see.....

Soft Claws are in the mail.

2005-01-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

Received an email notice stating the soft claws I ordered have finally been shipped. Now that I made the decision to try them, the wait has seemed interminable. Anyway, I'm hopeful that they'll arrive by the end of the week. Then I'll report on their effectiveness.

In my impatience, I revisited the soft claws website, and noticed that they also make soft claws for dogs. I can't imagine that dogs' claws are as destructive as cats' , but since I'm not a dog owner, I really can't say for sure.

The Most Frightening Antic

2005-01-24T18:06:00.000-08:00

Needless to say young kittens are not overly experienced. Charley was playing among and on the dining room chairs. Our chairs have wooden slats that make up the back of the chair. These slats have more room between them at the top than at the bottom. Somehow, Charley put his head through the slats at the top where it would fit through, and to make matters worse, he did while his head was back. So when he lost his balance and slid down between the slats his paws were in the air and he couldn't use them to push himself back up. I wasn't in the room when he did this but came running when I heard the most terrifying screech. It was no problem to extricate him, but that horrible yowl remained with me for the better part of an hour, and I shuddered for days after wondering what would have happened if I'd been out of the house when he did this. Fortunately, he's smart enough not to have given any repeat performances.

Anyone else have story to share?

Waiting for Soft Claws.....

2005-01-23T11:58:00.000-08:00

When Charley was tiny, his little bitty attempts to claw the furniture were laughable, and caused no damage. Now, it seems in a space of a few days, he's turned into a chunk of cat, and is doing damage to the furniture. The sound of ripping and tearing gives me shudders. And I've resorted to covering his favorite spots on the furniture with duct tape while awaiting the arrival of the Soft Claws. They are to arrive by the end of the week, and I'm counting the days.

De-clawing experiences? Cost?

2005-01-22T13:40:00.000-08:00

I'm getting ready to try Soft Claws on Charley. Have ordered blue ones. Think they will go well with his black coat. Will gauge how effective they are at protecting the furniture--and whether Charley can get used to them. (And it goes unsaid, that Charley is going to have to cooperate somewhat to put them on. Ahem.) But if it comes to it, we may have to resort to declawing. Anybody have any thoughts on declawing? Is it very expensive?

Soft Claws

2005-01-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

Charley isn't old enough for Soft Claws yet. According to the Soft Claws web site, a cat must be 4 months old before the smallest size will fit. Yet, I'm definitely considering giving the product a try. If the Soft Claws worked as well as the site claims, it would be a big benefit to my furniture. And I don't really want to declaw Charley. The testimonials all sound great, and the pics of the cats wearing soft claws are adorable. So have any of you given them try? Or know anyone who has?

Welcome to Cat Chat

2005-01-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Cat Chat--a forum for people owned by cats. My owner is 3 month old kitten named Charley, and when he meows, I find myself feeding him, searching for his favorite toy, or entertaining him, all followed by much petting and scratching. Training is going very well--I think he is pleased with my progress.

Charley has an odd habit of sticking his nose in my hair, purring and kneading. Does anyone else have a kitten with this behavior? Any other odd habits?

2005-01-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

Charley