Dogg and Bear Budd

Cats with Claws

Adopting a cat from a rescue organization is a great way to find a pet.  Opening your home to an animal that may have had a rough start can create a special bond that increases with every passing year.  Rescued cats can come with baggage, and sometimes claws.   Indoor  vs. outdoor, claws vs. de-clawed, the discussion goes on and the answer is different for everyone.   Although declawing may be needed with many cats, a little creativity and maintenance from special owners will overcome most issues with non-declawed cats, as well. The owners below prove that even cats with claws can be indoor cats.         

Bear “adopted” Carrie and Jason when she was only 7 months old.  Bear came from Vicky’s Pet Connection, minus front claws.  It soon became apparent from the little snag marks on the couch that her back claws were fully functional.

Dogg, yes Dogg came from the Humane Society all grown up, ready to play and armed with 18 claws.  Her first day at home was celebrated with a hole in a chair.  Wrestling with Bear is not a genteel sport.  These girls never go outside and like to look pretty. 

To save themselves and their home from little scratch marks, Carrie and Jason went on line in search of a livable, fun and stylish solution.  They found Soft Paws, which are soft plastic glue on nail caps.  These come is different sizes and colors for cats and dogs (the canine kind.)  When they groom the cats every week or two they replace the ones that need it.  Bear doesn’t mind the process, but then she only has half a set of nails.  Dogg has to be convinced that she wants to have pretty nails by both owners, but is getting used to it.  The helpful staff at the Kentwood Cat Clinic are great at putting them on too.    Oh, the price of beauty and function.

During football season Bear wears green and white for Michigan State and Dogg wears red and white for Nebraska.  Last summer they had California surfer colors (several shades of blue) and at Christmas they wear red and green.  For March these stylish kitties will of course be sporting Mardi gras colors.

And how does this story end?  Well, with Carrie, Jason, Dogg and Bear living “scratchlessly ever after.”