Question:
Can you offer an alternatives to having a cat declawed? I got new furniture and I want to train him (12 week old kitten) not to claw it because I can't stand the thought of having him declawed. Any suggestions? He also bites a lot while playing (non aggressively)... any suggestions to train him not to do this? Thanks!

A:  There are a few other options to declawing.

Usually, if you can train your cat to scratch on a scratching post, your cat should avoid using the furniture.  Try a wood post and a carpet post to see which one your cat prefers.  There is also a scratching post with catnip built in it that will entice cats to use it.  Also, keeping your cat's nails short will help reduce any damage from scratching.  Trim your cat's nails every few weeks to keep them at a short length.

The is also a popular product, called Soft Paws, which is a plastic coating that can be glued over your cat's nails to prevent any damage.  These need to be replaced as the nails grow. 

In terms of the play biting behavior, I would recommend making sure you are using a toy while playing with your cat (not just your hands and feet).  This will prevent an association of play-biting with your hands and feet.  If your kitten is already attacking your feet or hands, you can train him/her not to do that by squirting him/her with a water bottle or small water gun.  If the water alone isn't a strong enough deterrent, add a little lemon juice to the water.  Cats do not like citrus tastes or smells.

Good luck with your kitten!

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital