The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Do it Yourself Discussion! => Topic started by: themashedup1 on September 27, 2015, 05:32:47 PM
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Declaw? or clip the tendons?
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Replace with un looped carpet.
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Declaw? or clip the tendons?
Please don't do this, its very cruel and can cause additional behaviour problems. It is the equivalent of amputating a person's fingers up to their knuckles.
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Our cats are mostly ok at not clawing at stuff, but one cat likes to sharpen his claws on any upholstered chairs (although luckily not the couches). My solution for the chair in the spare room was to cover it completely in cheap towels which mostly discourages him and the towels take the brunt of any occasional scratching. Can you temporarily cover the stairs with towels or old blankets as a stop gap solution while you work out a more permanent solution?
Declaw? or clip the tendons?
Please don't do this, its very cruel and can cause additional behaviour problems. It is the equivalent of amputating a person's fingers up to their knuckles.
This. Glad you're not going to do this, but please, nobody do this to their cats.
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There is a solution to cats and upholstery. Make fleece slipcovers. Fleece is very inexpensive, easy to sew, and in my experience completely impervious to cat claws. The slipcovers can come off to launder. I strongly recommend patterned fleece, because they love to nest in the stuff and the fur does not show up as much when there is a pattern.
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First off, we give them something they like to scratch (sisal posts are good), but we also have a squirt bottle of water handy if we catch them doing something we'd like to discourage. For while, they get wet. After that, just shaking the bottle is enough to make 'em dash off.
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I had this exact same problem for 8 years. The carpet in my house was a very cheap looped carpet. I tried everything I could think of and those loops just seemed to magnetically attract my cats despite littering my house with scratching posts and trying to train away the behavior (spray bottle, etc). The carpet had been on a list of things to replace when I'd originally bought the house, and I just replaced it...with a non-looped carpet that the cats completely leave alone.
Good luck, maybe you will have better luck than I did. But if it's looped, there may be little you can do short of replacing.
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Place a scratching post directly on top of the spot she scratches. Praise her for using it. Then once she's in the habit of using it gradually move it.
A water bottle (or temporarily, aluminum foil covering the surface) can dissuade a cat, but I find a nice alternative scratcher is usually more effective.
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Double sided tape applied to affected areas was recommended in another thread.
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Try reinstalling it with staples?
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Try that green apple repellent spray?
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We have put these on our cats for about 4 years now. It's a good alternative to declawing and they only hate your for a few hours before getting used to it. Serves them right in my opinion :)
http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Claws-Cats-System-Medium/dp/B00074W458
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Double sided tape applied to affected areas was recommended in another thread.
1+ for easiest.
Cheapest, if you have it, is to place a paper towel down there and sprinkle cayenne pepper all over it. She'll sniff it, possibly lick or bite it trying to get to her new 'toy'....and should stop right away. Milder negative reinforcement would be finely ground black pepper: same effect though.
For dog chewing/horse chewing: Dave's Insanity sauce. Just a few drops on the item being chewed will instantly stop the behavior. Would stain the crap out of carpet though.
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Cats will scratch, so, get her something she can scratch. My cat has a scratching post wrapped in rope, and doesn't often scratch anything else. When she does, I pick her up and put her next to her post.
Trim her nails. This will reduce the damage she can do when she does scratch something other than her scratching post, and she won't snag your blankets (or skin) when she kneads. Just get a little pair of kitty nail trimmers from the pet store and snip the sharp tips off. Don't cut too deep (which would be like cutting your fingernails too short).
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First, scratching is a perfectly normal behavior in a cat. It's how they shed old claws. Punishing them for it is like punishing a person for burping.
Provide plenty legal scratching targets, and use a variety of surfaces. Sisal, carpet, cardboard, etc. Cats will decide what they like and you'll know to provide it. Encourage them to scratch on the legal surfaces, and discourage on the illegal surfaces. Positive reinforcement is your friend.
In addition, keeping the cat's claws trimmed will help. Get a pair of trimmers from the pet store, I've never found human style to work. Be careful not to cut the quick, as then you'll have a mess on your hands in addition to hurting the cat. You may have to do one paw at a time and then try again later, depends on the cat.
And yeah, loop carpet is awful with cats. Even if they're not scratching on it, their claws can catch on it and pull without meaning to.
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FWIW, we've pretty much done all of the above. Got a bunch of possible scratch targets, tape-loops on all the furniture. Then squirt and shout when you catch her scratching the wrong things, and be nice to her when she scratches the right thing - petting or treats or whatever.
Ours eventually latched onto a cheap Home Depot rug. I mean literally latched on - she physically moves it around from all the clawing. It's gone from good shape to tatters in about a year, but what the hell, it's a $15 rug. She would've done a lot more damage than that to the furniture.
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Replace cat....
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+1 for double-sided tape. We used that to get our cat to stop scratching the couch - it worked great. We also provided a couple of scratching posts. We took the tape off after a couple of months, and that was years ago. He hasn't touched the couch since.
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Try that green apple repellent spray?
Our cat was left at the shelter because it chewed up low voltage cords- got a bunch of ours until I applied this spray- thought I would have to keep applying it to be effective but one application totally solved the problem- never chewed another cord after first application. Amazing product. it should work on about any surface and seems invisible and odorless to humans. Give it a try.
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Why in the world do people own cats? I just don't get it.
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Why in the world do people own cats? I just don't get it.
Why in the world do people have kids? I just don't get it.
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Why in the world do people own cats? I just don't get it.
Why in the world do people have kids? I just don't get it.
I don't mean pets generally, I mean cats specifically. I understand the need for emotional connection that a pet brings, but it seems like you could get that same benefit from any number of other species that are less destructive and trouble. In my observations, cats don't really even return your affection, they seem to view humans as suckers that provide food and shelter and fun stuff to play with and scratch up, like furniture.
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That has not been my experience. I have had both cats and dogs. I prefer cats. What I like about them: their independence, unique personalities, playfulness, affection. My cat Tess taps me on the arm every night at 11. She wants me to go to bed so she can curl up next to me. She likes to keep me within earshot. Based only on my own experience, dogs seem compelled to like humans. With cats, it's more of a choice. If they choose you, they are conferring an honor upon you.
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That has not been my experience. I have had both cats and dogs. I prefer cats. What I like about them: their independence, unique personalities, playfulness, affection. My cat Tess taps me on the arm every night at 11. She wants me to go to bed so she can curl up next to me. She likes to keep me within earshot. Based only on my own experience, dogs seem compelled to like humans. With cats, it's more of a choice. If they choose you, they are conferring an honor upon you.
This. Sometimes I wish my 2 cats were less clingy and needy - it would make it easier to get stuff done! One cat is very bonded to me and the other to DH. Wherever we are in the house, one or both cats will be on our laps, next to us, talking to us, or "coincidentally" always a couple of feet away from us. They are also trainable. My cats respond to tone of voice and body language and often do what I tell them. Eg "get away from your brother, stop bothering him" or "leave that thing alone" or "off" to get them off my lap or a chair I want to sit on. Essentially they are like 3 year old kids, only quieter and more obedient than most 3 year olds.
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Don't cats hate citronella as well?
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Info above is good... especially to provide an allowed scratching site (sisal, or something similar).
In addition to that: Try Feliway.
There are 2 kinds I know of: One looks like a plug in. It provides a general "feel good" for the cats. The second one is a spray. You can put it on affected areas where you do not want them to scratch.
This totally sounds like some aromatherapy bullshit. I know. I was the world's biggest skeptic on this. But it works. It is a pheromone that really does calm them down. One of our cats is extremely nervous and high strung. Without Feliway, she and the other cat fight all day every day. With Feliway, they're actually pretty good friends.
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Why in the world do people own cats?
Because they are delightful.
Any species can do damage. There are entire Internet sites devoted to pictures of "Stuff My Dog Chewed Up." I've had cats for 22 years. The first cat scratched my couch, which was right next to her cat door. When we moved, the couch wasn't near the cat door, and she left it alone. They've never destroyed anything else. Occasional poop/pee/barf can be cleaned up.
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In addition, keeping the cat's claws trimmed will help. Get a pair of trimmers from the pet store, I've never found human style to work. Be careful not to cut the quick, as then you'll have a mess on your hands in addition to hurting the cat. You may have to do one paw at a time and then try again later, depends on the cat.
This works for my two cats. They have no interest in scratching if their claws are trimmed. It is easy to avoid the quick on cats, because it is a very visible pink, and you just squeeze gently for the claw to show itself. Check out videos on you-tube for help before beginning.
One of my cats is very relaxed -- the other I wrap up in a towel, with just the paw I am working on showing. It is easier for everyone if you stay relaxed, though.
The bitter apply spray is to discourage chewing problems. I don't think it would be useful for this.
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Why in the world do people own cats? I just don't get it.
Toxoplasmosis Gondii.
You get it from cats and it actually changes your brain chemistry. When it infects mice it makes them head towards cats and get eaten. People are too big to get eaten, so the cat minimally tolerates it's parasite mind controlled slave.
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I got one staring at me right now with evil intent.
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Great suggestions from everyone! I volunteer at the city shelter and we see cases like this all the time. Just remember that the cat does not automatically know he or she isn't supposed to claw at the rug/furniture/etc. The cat does not know why you are mad and certainly has no idea that s/he is the cause of your anger.
Hope that the solutions are helping. Can you provide an update?
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There is a solution to cats and upholstery. Make fleece slipcovers. Fleece is very inexpensive, easy to sew, and in my experience completely impervious to cat claws. The slipcovers can come off to launder. I strongly recommend patterned fleece, because they love to nest in the stuff and the fur does not show up as much when there is a pattern.
You. Are. Genius.
I don't mean pets generally, I mean cats specifically. I understand the need for emotional connection that a pet brings, but it seems like you could get that same benefit from any number of other species that are less destructive and trouble. In my observations, cats don't really even return your affection, they seem to view humans as suckers that provide food and shelter and fun stuff to play with and scratch up, like furniture.
I grew up with both cats and dogs. Dogs were responsible for probably 80% of the ruined things in our home. I as a child probably caused about 15% of the damage. The rest is pretty much just shit that happens. There were more stains on our carpet from spilled food than cat puke (both were usually covered by muddy paw print stains anyway). Not sure why you've had shitty experience with cats, but please don't think you speak for every one of them - all cats I know are loving and affectionate to their owners.
Most of my cats' training came through mini water guns (bad!) and catnip (good!). Scratching the furniture? Get sprayed with water. Scratching the scratching post? Good boy! Here's some catnip. I also only give them catnip or treats on things they can scratch - that way when they 'dig' to try and find more, it's okay.
Actual cat nail trimmers are best. I wouldn't go with one of the fancy sander type ones (like you would use for bigger dogs) because 1) it's just unnecessary and 2) it'll probably scare your cat anyway. Get them used to sitting on your lap and gently squeezing their paws (without the clipper) and they'll get used to it. My boys get huffy and try to pout after I finish, which lasts about 3 minutes until they want cuddles.
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Actual cat nail trimmers are best. I wouldn't go with one of the fancy sander type ones (like you would use for bigger dogs) because 1) it's just unnecessary and 2) it'll probably scare your cat anyway. Get them used to sitting on your lap and gently squeezing their paws (without the clipper) and they'll get used to it. My boys get huffy and try to pout after I finish, which lasts about 3 minutes until they want cuddles.
I often use regular "people" nail trimmers, they work just as well as anything else, maybe better. With tiny kitten nails, I prefer them.
As for feliway, I've heard mixed reviews. I think it depends on the cat, frankly.
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I like cats.
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I like cats.
Agreed. Properly prepared they can be quite tasty.
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The el cheapo carpet in our bedroom has met the same fate.
If they weren't so cute at times I'd boil them.
It's a very small amount of carpet, and since we've lived there for 8 years, our landlord isn't worried about it. The upstairs and some missed litterbox incidents is another story. They're friends and there is no formal lease, so I'll pay for it's replacement. We get cheap enough rent that I find it worthwhile.
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It made me giggle how you put *** on F***ING but not GD.
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If they weren't so cute at times I'd boil them.
My mantra is "I love my cats, I love my cats, I love my cats..." when they drive me nuts, which is roughly 50% of the time. The other 50% they're cute and cuddly, so it's worth it. But when one meows very loudly in my ear 20 minutes before my alarm because his food bowl is "empty" (food is pushed to the side of the bowl, showing *GASP* bottom of the bowl!), I have to remind myself that he's adorable at least half the time.
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But when one meows very loudly in my ear 20 minutes before my alarm because his food bowl is "empty" (food is pushed to the side of the bowl, showing *GASP* bottom of the bowl!), I have to remind myself that he's adorable at least half the time.
Haha, mine got into the habit of knocking my night stand lamp over at about 4 am every morning because he wanted "fresh" dry food. So I got rid of the lamp. Then he would just paw at me to wake me up. At one point, I had an automatic feeder that would drop food at 3:30 am and keep him occupied, although keeping my bedroom door shut works fairly well too.
I'm pretty sure he has me brainwashed because I generally find his antics quite funny. The worse he behaves, the more I giggle.
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Our cats aren't allowed the bedroom, although early on they used to "knock". The hardest part was training my DH to NOT go let them out, feed them, whatever (i.e. reinforce the bad behavior), but to just use the squirt bottle to discourage them, sometimes multiple times a night.
It's probably best we don't have kids.
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Our cats aren't allowed the bedroom, although early on they used to "knock". The hardest part was training my DH to NOT go let them out, feed them, whatever (i.e. reinforce the bad behavior), but to just use the squirt bottle to discourage them, sometimes multiple times a night.
It's probably best we don't have kids.
Our first run of cats were locked out of the bedroom due to an odd dog-door-escape-to-outside situation in that house. We were awoken more then with the door rattling and yowling than we are now that we have a layout that doesn't have an escape route.
I was convinced them liked the game of rattling the door and then running from the squirt bottle.
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Why in the world do people own cats? I just don't get it.
because having a cat is better than having mice.
OP, I have worked catnip into the rope of a scratching post each time my cat has found a new part of my house to destroy, so her interest in the designated scratching area has been renewed. keep her obsessed with that one place and the rest of the house can remain unscathed.
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While we never had scratching issues with our cat, here's my 2c:
Our cat hated sheepkin rugs - put him down on one, he'd run off it as quickly as possible. It might not be possible on stairs, but putting something like that down where you don't want scratching might help.
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Put cat outside.
Close door.
Don't let cat back in.
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My mantra is "I love my cats, I love my cats, I love my cats..." when they drive me nuts, which is roughly 50% of the time. The other 50% they're cute and cuddly, so it's worth it. But when one meows very loudly in my ear 20 minutes before my alarm because his food bowl is "empty" (food is pushed to the side of the bowl, showing *GASP* bottom of the bowl!), I have to remind myself that he's adorable at least half the time.
We have a self-feeder food bowl. Our Great White Beast, Neo, is the only one of the Mandalay Beasts who has figured out how to paw food from the container into the dish. One morning I came into the kitchen to be met with anxiously milling and crying cats, who ignored the plentiful amount of food in the dish because of the bare spot in the center. Neo strolled in, pawed some food out, and strolled away as the others fell to. Mr. Mandalay and I were laughing so hard we were crying.
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- Trim claws - a regular nail trimmer works fine. Trimming every two weeks, the first few times may be a challenge.
- Find something they are allowed to destroy - I use cardboard cat scratchers
- Have a spray bottle filled with water ready, use it on cat when she's messing up with the carpet on the stairs.
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In my observations, cats don't really even return your affection, they seem to view humans as suckers that provide food and shelter and fun stuff to play with and scratch up, like furniture.
Sounds like you have never lived with a cat. If you did then you would know how wrong this statement is.
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In my observations, cats don't really even return your affection, they seem to view humans as suckers that provide food and shelter and fun stuff to play with and scratch up, like furniture.
Sounds like you have never lived with a cat. If you did then you would know how wrong this statement is.
Cats don't automatically love you like dogs do. You have to earn it.
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In my observations, cats don't really even return your affection, they seem to view humans as suckers that provide food and shelter and fun stuff to play with and scratch up, like furniture.
Sounds like you have never lived with a cat. If you did then you would know how wrong this statement is.
Cats don't automatically love you like dogs do. You have to earn it.
Their language is also not as easily read as dogs.
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Oh cats....I sort-of love mine most of the time.
Any ideas on how to keep Mr. Kitty from attacking our legs when we walk? We try playing more with him, can't tell if it works or not.
No ideas for the OP, so sorry I'm not more helpful. We got ours as an adult rescue and all 4 of his paws had been declawed (what in the world? I've never seen that before in a cat).
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I keep our two cats claws trimmed, they don't like it but if you wrap them in a towel you can get the job done. If you do it regularly hopefully they will get used to it like our cats and not fight much. I say hopefully because there are no rules, just like kids, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit...
If I catch them in the act I give them a gentle whack on the nose. I don't see that as a "fix", it's just what I do and seems to help. We tried water bottle, but our cat seemed to like it more than hate it, but I hear it works for some. We had some bitter green apple spray we used when we had a dog and it worked for the dog, not sure if it would work for the cat, if they are using claws and not chewing the bitter taste isn't going to be a factor...
Mostly it's about finding what works. Just like kids or dogs or any pets, nothing is absolute. You hopefully knew that going into the situation, but if not you know now. Nothing works for everyone or every situation. Just have to keep trying and see what works for you. But doing nothing or waiting is absolutely the worse option, the further it becomes a habit and a problem the harder it will be to solve it.
My biggest problem for our cats was that they went inside the couch and pulled all the stuffing out of the back and onto the floor under the couch. Now you feel the bare springs on your back... and not much I could do about it, it was done before I realized what they were doing...
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In my observations, cats don't really even return your affection, they seem to view humans as suckers that provide food and shelter and fun stuff to play with and scratch up, like furniture.
Sounds like you have never lived with a cat. If you did then you would know how wrong this statement is.
Cats don't automatically love you like dogs do. You have to earn it.
I would even disagree with that statement as it depends so much on the cat. One of mine is a serial lover and will jump into any available lap, force himself into a cradled position and rub his face against yours. Honestly, he will do this with complete strangers within minutes of them coming into my home.
He might be above average in the love department, but I foster cats for a Humane Society and there are plenty that love with abandon. Especially once settled into the house.
Oh cats....I sort-of love mine most of the time.
Any ideas on how to keep Mr. Kitty from attacking our legs when we walk? We try playing more with him, can't tell if it works or not.
No ideas for the OP, so sorry I'm not more helpful. We got ours as an adult rescue and all 4 of his paws had been declawed (what in the world? I've never seen that before in a cat).
Four paw declaw is, thankfully, falling out of favor. I disagree with declaw in general and that is especially rough.
As for the attacks - play is good. Try a water bottle (if possible, I try to give a "warning" shot at their feet when I can tell they are about to do something bad, so it stops the behavior before it happens). Also, as he is declawed, try ignoring him when he does this. Half the fun is the reaction he gets. That is probably easier said than done when you are startled, but at least try to reduce your reaction. He attacks, you jump, then calmly move on without a word.
You will probably have to try several things over time to see what works. Possibly a combination of solutions is what will work. The one surefire way I've corrected this in the past...a second cat as a playmate. Your cat is likely attacking your because he is bored.
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Oh yeah, there's plenty of cats who are total lovers. Even for them however, my experience is that if you're not nice to them they'll act accordingly.
Regarding the attacks - agree with Mandy.
Get cat toys, different kinds, and play with the cat. You may need to rotate different types of toys, or find that certain ones are a complete flop. My cats ignore balls, but love ribbons/strings. Also mousie toys have periods of intense favor. Very cat dependent, and it can change.
My cats have learned "No" in a stern voice and removal of the object in question (in this case, your legs), and generally respond well to that correction. Follow it up with positive reinforcement and wonders can happen.
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While I'd love to see him getting attacked by a kitten, the shelter said he wasn't great with other cats.
I'd excuse the attacking but he bites when he does it. If he was just grabbing us with his Nerf-paws then I wouldn't mind it.
I think I'll try the water bottle and making sure he gets play time in. The water bottle, even if ineffective, at least is fun for me.
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If you change your mind, most adult cats won't hurt a kitten. Bowl them over, yes, and the kitten probably deserved it. Actually hurt them, no. (Kinda like humans - most humans won't hurt a kid.) That said, the cat may not actually accept the kitten, but you'll have some time to figure that out.
The biting is also part of cat play, though definitely on the rougher end. Often, the cat learns not to bite from other cats (adult cats don't generally like it when the kitten is biting at them, and the kitten flattening paw is a handy teaching tool). You can teach your cat not to bite, it takes patience and consistency, followed by positive reinforcement when they don't bite.
Example situation:
My cat bites at me. I immediately pull back and say "No", in a firm tone - not angry, just be clear that it was bad.
Next time, cat doesn't bite, I continue to pet/play/whatever, and cat figures out that not biting is better.
This won't be fast, it will take some time to get the message across and properly reinforced. A generally friendly cat will figure it out though.
Also, I don't punish them if they're defending themselves or for accidents. I do try to prevent situations where they'll feel the need to defend themselves, and if you're playing with your hand and you accidentally get bitten that's kinda your fault.
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My wife is an Ellie May Clampett crazy cat lady. She seems to speak to all animals. What she does for cat biting is make a high pitched "eeeek" sound and stop playing. She says this is what other cats do when a cat plays too rough. She was successful with our biter with this.
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I will relay this to my daughter and we will try the "eek" sound. I expect cats to bite a little when playing (not us, but the string/feather) but this is attacking our calves and biting us when we are walking past and not playing. So we can do the 'eek' sound but we weren't playing so we cant' stop that.
He is, overall, a friendly and loving kitty. He just has this one thing that really bugs me (that and peeing on our couch, but that's an issue with me forgetting to clean the litter and as long as I do my part, he does his).
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Put cat outside.
Close door.
Don't let cat back in.
+1 for the logic of not having a cat, but not for the method of removal.
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We have 3 cats. I hate them. They piss all over the house, puke on the floor, and have totally destroyed our living room furniture.
I don't see any redeeming value in them. They've cost us thousands.
I fell into the trap of the "kids" getting cats. Now the kids are all off on their own and we are stuck with the blooming cats.
Maybe I'll hire a rabid raccoon!!
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When I peel a grapefruit or orange my cat won't come anywhere near me or let me pet him until I don't smell citrusy anymore. I recommend citrus based misting spray (real citrus) or rub citrus peels on that spot. Maybe even just leave them there til they harden up. Worth a try anyway.
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If it's one particular spot and it's not in the way, buy a scratching mat or jute doormat and put it on top. The cat will scratch that and not the carpet. That's what my parents did when the cats got obsessed with one leg of the dining table. The doormat is still tied round that leg but they take it off when they (rarely) have people over. Simples.
One cat also loves to scratch the carpet on the bottom step. My mother started a campaign of water pistols and repellent sprays. It worked! Now the cat only scratches there when my mother isn't looking...
Also, just to chime in about Feliway - definitely worth a go from the stories I've read but it really depends on the cat. It did absolutely nothing for ours, as far as we could tell (though we were trying it for anxiety rather than aggression).
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One of our cats has started scrabbling under the door when locked in his half of the house overnight (it's very much a tl;dr story) and damaging the carpet. So we bought Sticky Paws double sided tape and put that down. It's safe for cats and meant to be used on furniture to stop them scratching.
Anyway, my reason for posting is that the other cat almost instantly decided it was super yummy and has repeatedly been licking at it. Gah. Anyone know how to stop a GDFC (see title of this thread for explanation of the acronym) from licking double sided tape??
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One of our cats has started scrabbling under the door when locked in his half of the house overnight (it's very much a tl;dr story) and damaging the carpet. So we bought Sticky Paws double sided tape and put that down. It's safe for cats and meant to be used on furniture to stop them scratching.
Anyway, my reason for posting is that the other cat almost instantly decided it was super yummy and has repeatedly been licking at it. Gah. Anyone know how to stop a GDFC (see title of this thread for explanation of the acronym) from licking double sided tape??
You could try sprinkling a tiny bit of cayenne powder over the tape. Not enough to muck the sticky, just enough so that gdfc gets a taste. Careful, it stains carpet, but it only takes a little, and the sticky tape should keep it from spreading.
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In my observations, cats don't really even return your affection, they seem to view humans as suckers that provide food and shelter and fun stuff to play with and scratch up, like furniture.
Sounds like you have never lived with a cat. If you did then you would know how wrong this statement is.
Cats don't automatically love you like dogs do. You have to earn it.
I have no use for cats. My kids all had to have cats. Now they are out on their own, or in college and they can't take them with them so we are stuck with them.
We have 3 of the GD things. One pukes all over the place, and has ruined several rugs now. Another is neurotic and periodically pees on stuff. We have gone through hundreds of $$ of ruined clothes, etc from it. The third isn't too bad. He is an outdoor cat is is low key.
All three shred furniture. Our living room furniture set is ruined. We have used all sorts of techniques ... special stress-reducing litter for their boxes,
aromatherapy, mutliple scratch towers all over the house, etc. Still, they shred the furnitture.
We won't replace the set while the cats are still alive.
I haven't gotten rid of them yet ONLY because the kids would get upset.
However, their time is running out. (Bwah-ha-ha!!!)
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In my observations, cats don't really even return your affection, they seem to view humans as suckers that provide food and shelter and fun stuff to play with and scratch up, like furniture.
Sounds like you have never lived with a cat. If you did then you would know how wrong this statement is.
Cats don't automatically love you like dogs do. You have to earn it.
I have no use for cats. My kids all had to have cats. Now they are out on their own, or in college and they can't take them with them so we are stuck with them.
We have 3 of the GD things. One pukes all over the place, and has ruined several rugs now. Another is neurotic and periodically pees on stuff. We have gone through hundreds of $$ of ruined clothes, etc from it. The third isn't too bad. He is an outdoor cat is is low key.
All three shred furniture. Our living room furniture set is ruined. We have used all sorts of techniques ... special stress-reducing litter for their boxes,
aromatherapy, mutliple scratch towers all over the house, etc. Still, they shred the furnitture.
We won't replace the set while the cats are still alive.
I haven't gotten rid of them yet ONLY because the kids would get upset.
However, their time is running out. (Bwah-ha-ha!!!)
Cats aren't for everyone, I get that. Just like dogs aren't for everyone. When the kids are out of college and presumably living somewhere else, give them the cats? Or someone else you know who'd like them?
Do NOT just dump them on the streets. That's cruel. If you can't give the cats to your kids or someone else, then take them to an animal shelter and do an owner surrender. Then don't get cats again, but I think you've already decided that.
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I've always been a fan of corporal punishment for misbehaving pets.
(http://savvypetcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Grinder.jpg)
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Awesome!
But, is that more humane than a "bag and a bridge"??