Anonymous wrote:We just moved into a new build townhouse and I am worried about damage. The furniture is new and I haven't even paid it off yet. It's nothing fancy but I would hate for it to get damaged. The cabinets are also new and I would really hate to get those damaged as it cost so much money to fix. I have two kids, aged 3 and 7. Husband doesn't clean up around the house. We don't have an evenly split division of labor. I work part-time and do all the cooking and cleaning. I didn't grow up with pets. Dh had a cat growing up. We found a cat at pets smart that we like. Do you have to choose between nice things or a cat?

You should not get a cat.
My home is paid for so yes my cats do damage my furniture, doors, carpet but I made a serious commitment to give them the best life I could. My cats have all been rescues. We'll replace whatever when they pass.
And as far as litter, my husband cleans the boxes twice daily and we replace the box every six months. I have never had anyone say my house smelled of cat. Unlike my BIL who is a filthy person has filthy cat habits.
One more thing, do not let your cats be outside cats. I let mine in the garage but not past the door. House cats belong in the house.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience they damage some furniture, and others not. You can mitigate against that by giving them lots of things they can scratch - and discouraging them from scratching anything you don't want them doing that to.

As for the smell - clean the box every day. Vacuum every day or every couple of days. We have three cats and our house does not smell. (I know DCUM's pet haters will disagree, despite not having been to our house, but it doesn't.)

3 cats?! Your house smells but you are just used to it so you don't notice it.

I don't think so. I've asked some people who have no reason not to tell us the truth - my parents and siblings - and they say no, too. They'd notice, and they'd tell me if so. We keep the box clean, and our cats are all very clean. It's not too hard. Luckily none of our cats has accidents - cat pee is a wicked smell.

Anyway, I'm sure you know my house better than I do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remove their front claws and you won’t have any issues.

Do not do this, it is very cruel and painful to the cat.

?

My parents had the vet do this and their cat lived a very happy and long life (nearly 20 years) as a spoiled indoor cat. I’m sure the vet did something to mitigate any pain.

It was a commonly accepted practice back then, and now it's not. Some states don't even allow it. Many vets won't do it unless it's for medical reasons for the cat. If you must have a declawed cat, adopt one who's already been declawed.

I've had 2 cats. One lived till 15, the kitten is a year old.

I've never had them ruin furniture or cabinets or doors.

I got them as kittens and they were/are strictly indoors (and neutered). I got them used to having their front claws trimmed from the beginning. I do this regularly, so they have their claws but they're not razors lol.

I have scratching stuff-a post, the cardboard scratchers, ect. I keep the litter box clean and it doesn't smell.

But OP, I would wait if you are hesitant. You don't want to resent the kitty. I waited to get the kitten a while after first kitty passed.

So many people living in museums. Who knew.

I have 3 cats they never scratched my leather coach

1. Provide scratches post in every room. tickle and horizontal scratches pad or post.

2. There are cat detergent sprays that you spray on the furnitures you do not want cats to scratch. Do this right before you bring cat in to your house. Now cat will only attracted yo the cat scratch post. Keep spraying for the first few months. After that, I found that my cats don’t touch anything else without keep the spraying.

3 for odor, it’s on the owner. I have litter robot 4 self cleaning litter box. And two more regular cover litter boxes.( total of 3 cats) . My house doesn’t smell. ( per my guest and my nanny)

4 never declaw cat. It.p can cause other problem such as peeing all over your house etc. scratching is natural for cat. Between its toes , there are pheromone gland that they spread to mark their territory. Imagine if they can’t mark it with scratching, they will mark with pee instead ! Peeing around is worse, way way worse for me.

Anonymous wrote:FWIW when you adopt a cat from most any organization, you agree not to declaw it. And I wonder if vets will even do it any more.

Cats are like people; they're all different. Our cat pretty much sticks to her scratching post for scratching, but YMMV.

I put up with her quirks because of the pleasure and comfort she provides.

Op. In Pennsylvania, where I live, it's outlawed.

I have a cat that scratches door frames

Don’t get any pet unless you’re fully on board with the work, expenses, and potential for damage that comes with it. I have had a cat that thought he was a dog (I’m a dog person). Great cat, friendly, smart, never damaged anything.

And yet, his fur was everywhere. He was extremely food motivated, so always on kitchen countertops and trying to raid the trash can. He wanted to be outside sometimes, and learned to open doors and let the dog out as well. And at the end, he had stomach cancer, which led to a lot of vomiting and diarrhea which while not his fault at all, was still a lot of work.

He was a good kitty and I miss him. But I will never have a cat again.

FWIW when you adopt a cat from most any organization, you agree not to declaw it. And I wonder if vets will even do it any more.

Cats are like people; they're all different. Our cat pretty much sticks to her scratching post for scratching, but YMMV.

I put up with her quirks because of the pleasure and comfort she provides.

Furniture, yes, as in sofas and such, cabinets, no. Also, my cat has never scratched leather sofas.

Anonymous wrote:In my experience they damage some furniture, and others not. You can mitigate against that by giving them lots of things they can scratch - and discouraging them from scratching anything you don't want them doing that to.

As for the smell - clean the box every day. Vacuum every day or every couple of days. We have three cats and our house does not smell. (I know DCUM's pet haters will disagree, despite not having been to our house, but it doesn't.)

3 cats?! Your house smells but you are just used to it so you don't notice it.

Anonymous wrote:A stray cat adopted us. He’s indoor/outdoor so I believe he causes less damage than he would if we were entirely indoor. He’s ruined some cabinets by using them as a scratch pad, despite having an actual scratch he also uses.

My sister also has a cat that adopted them. Her cat has ruined all of their dining room chairs.

Do NOT let your cat outdoors. Your neighbors will not thank you for the cat poop in their yards, cats are non-native species that kill the native wildlife, and your cat may be hit by a car.

I have cats. Never have the cats in my life ever scratched or damaged cabinets (never heard of this). Furniture can be unpredictable. But if you get a few scratching posts and place them strategically, cats will be satisfied. Litter box in basement and cleaned daily, never have litter smell in house.

Cats are discusting. They crap in a box inside and then walk those same dirty feet all over your kitchen counters and furniture. They claw and scratch up all your stuff. They can "mark" things with urine. You whole house will smell like cat.