Q: Our cats have
shredded our furniture with their claws. We're thinking about getting new
furniture but feel that it would be senseless unless we can get this
problem under control. We don't want to have them declawed. What can we
do?
A: Good for you for
not having your cats declawed. As more and more people are learning,
declawing a cat is not unlike amputating digits from a person. It's a
painful procedure that can result in the cat losing some sense of balance
and feeling nervous and defenseless. Many owners who have had their cat
declawed have noticed a significant personality change after doing so.
A lot of people have tried getting their
cats to use scratching posts, only to be disappointed with the results.
The reason for this is that the post is either too soft, unstable, or not
in the best location. It's important that the post have a rough texture.
Posts covered in soft rug or other fabric are not appealing to cats. Look
for something covered in sisal or the rough back of carpeting. You can
make your own by covering a 3' high board and nailing it securely to a
square piece of plywood. Just make sure it's completely stable. If
necessary, attach it to the floor with double-backed carpet tape. A post
that wobbles will never do — your cat will be too nervous to use it.
This is why posts that hang from a door knob generally don't work. They
swing around as your cat uses it.
You'll want to place the post in close
proximity to the furniture that your cat likes to scratch. The point is
for your cat to see something more appealing when she makes a move toward
your favorite chair. In the beginning, you might need to guide her away
from the chair to the post. But don't grab his paws and push them on the
post; cats hate this! Try rubbing a little catnip on the post to entice
him (not more than once a week or so; otherwise, he'll become immune to
its effects). The combination of the right surface and a little catnip
will go a long way. If necessary, place posts in several rooms.
This really works. Cats don't have a
particular need to scratch many things. Once they find something they love
to scratch, they're, usually willing to stick to it.
Keep your cat's claws blunt by trimming the
tips off. It's easy to get discouraged if you actually plan a trimming
session and try to force your cat to comply. Instead, keep your clippers
in an accessible place and clip a few when your cat is relaxing on your
lap. She may not even notice. The easiest tool to use is regular human
nail clippers. Just be sure not to cut the pink quick in the nail. Clip
only the white tips.
Finally, you can try a product called Soft
Paws, which are plastic claw covers. The covers are filled with glue, then
slipped over the claws. They typically stay attached for one to two
months. You can buy kits at some vet clinics and either apply them
yourself or have a technician do it.
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Q: Recently, my cat's
urinalysis showed a small amount of crystals, but our vet indicated that
it was not enough to really be concerned. What can I do to ensure that it
doesn't escalate into a bigger problem?
A: Like any condition,
prevention is easier than treatment, and you're wise to be thinking along
these lines. Crystals in the urine is a condition most common in cats —
especially males — but can also be a problem for dogs. It's difficult to
give specific suggestions without knowing the pH balance of your cat's
urine, because a different approach would be used in different cases. It
used to be believed that crystals form when the urine is too alkaline, but
now we know that problems can arise when it is too acidic, or even when
it's pH balanced. In effect, salts turn to tiny stones blocking the
urethra. In severe cases, your pet is unable to urinate. If you even see
your cat or dog straining to urinate, get him to a vet immediately. Toxins
build up in the body and can quickly turn fatal.
In terms of prevention, the most important
thing to do is put your pet or a good quality diet — either a homemade
diet (use recipes from a natural pet care book) or a premium brand that is
free from chemicals, made with real meat and whole grains, and
supplemented with vitamins and minerals. It's important that your pet's
diet include plenty of fluids. If your cat doesn't drink a lot of water,
and you feed him packaged food, canned food is probably a safer
alternative to dry. Most cats do well on a combination of canned and dry.
Even better is to supplement it with fresh vegetables and meat.
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