Could declawed, indoor cat hurt/injure 16 wk old? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

KathyK09 · 03-10-2008, 10:20 AM

Hello!

Our Mariah is now 16 wks old and we've had her for 8 wks. She has been kept in a 2x6 x-pen in our bathroom while we are not home or can't supervise her.

We want to move her x-pen into the kitchen. Our main concern is our male cat. He is an indoor, declawed cat but I have always been concerned that he could hurt/injure the puppy if left unsupervised.

I can't help but remember another cat we used to have that was an indoor/outdoor cat that nearly killed a baby bunny before we stopped her (we saved the bunny). I think cats just have an instinct for this type of behavior.

This cat, Cosmo, has such a huge personality. He is not afraid of anything (his nickname is Curious George). He does really goofy things, like one day he knocked our bichon's treats out of the basket they were in and dragged them to her kennel (while she was locked in) and ripped open the bag and ate some right in front of her door. I'm sure it drove her nuts seeing "the cat" eating her treats...right in front of her...and she could do nothing while locked in her kennel. He is VERY playful and goofy. Our bichon takes a mouthful of food from her dish and drops it on the floor to eat. The cat has many times plopped down right on top of her food so she couldn't eat it. He's done many, many other things like this.

While the puppy, Mariah, was in the bathroom the cat has gone in a few times but never tried to get into the pen.

While Mariah has been loose in the house the cat does go up to her and hiss/spit at her but his back doesn't go up anymore. Mariah does not seem too afraid. She will run/yipe when the cat does his his/spit thing but she turns right back around and barks and chases him. She often barks and chases him first too. The cat does "stalk" her. Sometimes I think he is playing with her. He will lay on his back and slowly drag himself across the floor to get close to her (as if to act like, "hey I'm just laying around on my back doing nothing wrong) and then will jump up and "scare" her.

Now that Mariah is 16 wks old and much bigger/stronger then she was, I think she could hold her own against him, if it came down to it.

But animals are unpredictable and I was wondering what everyone else thought.

Nancy1999 · 03-10-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathyK09

Hello!

one day he knocked our bichon's treats out of the basket they were in and dragged them to her kennel (while she was locked in) and ripped open the bag and ate some right in front of her door. I'm sure it drove her nuts seeing "the cat" eating her treats...right in front of her...and she could do nothing while locked in her kennel.

Lol, that's so funny, it sounds like he's letting everyone know who's boss. We adopted two declawed cats before we had Joey and they would play fight and sometime bite each other in neck area, but it was more of a wrestling contest. It seems like they do the most damage with their claws, but since he's been declawed, he's probably pretty harmless.

Emmsmom · 03-10-2008, 10:41 AM

I would say yes. Cats use their claws to catch their prey. They use their teeth to kill it. Now I am not saying that your cat is going to kill your new puppy. I am saying that even tho he is declawed he can still bite. Not all cats are the same. My daughter's cat is an outdoor cat that comes in at night to sleep. He trys to attack Diesel every chance he gets. So when he comes in at night he knows he ins't allowed to roam. He sleeps in a nice big dog crate at night and he is just fine with that. I would just keep a very close eye on them.

chachi · 03-10-2008, 10:49 AM

I have a declawed cat and mine have been out with her since they were small pups. I dont think he could hurt your puppy

Emmsmom · 03-10-2008, 01:38 PM

I think every cat is different and you have to be the judge. Diesel was almost 2 when we brought the cat home as a kitten. I know I just don't trust our cat with Diesel because he has bitten Diesel before. He didn't draw blood but that was enough for me to keep them seperated. Good luck.

MyTrixie143 · 03-10-2008, 01:53 PM

How big is your cat and how big is your puppy?

I know my cats are a ton bigger than my yorkies and the power behind their paw when they swing could seriously hurt them. Luckily my two cats get along great with the dogs.

I would keep a close eye on them and see how they interact with each other.

flutterby · 03-10-2008, 02:37 PM

My new addition is 12 weeks and 1 1/2lbs.. My cat is 15lbs and 8 months old.. He was hissing at him and stuff the first day.. That has stopped and now he stalks him but just close enough to sniff and run.. My big boy has his claws (I didn't want to traumatize him and get them wripped out - he had a horrible past) but he doesn't use them.. I leave all 4 of my yorkies here with him alone.. I'm not worried about him attacking them.. 4 out numbers 1 by far!

But he thinks he's a dog too ( he hates other cats ) so that works out well..

4doggiemama · 03-10-2008, 03:08 PM

My part-Himalayan kitty was determine to kill Chipper for the first 5 mo. of Chipper's life. She is frontal-declawed but grabs by the neck and shakes. I watched like a hawk. Then I went to TX for about a wk., came back, and Missy Cat decided that it was more fun to play. Now they are best of friends.

Missy Cat caused no problems when I brought Snowboy home at 3 mo. I still don't trust Missy Cat with my 3 lb. Yorkie. I've caught Missy Cat going into a carrier, grabbing Cocoa by the neck, and throwing her out.

jeanietoo · 03-10-2008, 03:12 PM

I would definately not leave them alone til you have observed them together for quite a while. I had a cat who was declawed on all fours and he could bite my german shepard and make him cry in pain

KathyK09 · 03-11-2008, 05:34 AM

THANKS! I really appreciate all your replies. We've been paying closer attention to their relationship. I really think the cat is mainly playing with the puppy but we're going to be cautious.

ItsyBitsy · 03-11-2008, 07:10 AM

I have two cats and Bitsy. The two cats came first and I brought Bitsy home when she was 9 weeks old and both the cats were a little over a year old.

I really do think it depends on the personality of the cats. Both my cats still have their claws. I find that in my experience, all the declawed cats I've seen have been more anxious and more willing to go into attack mode, either using their teeth, or griping and raking with the undeclawed back legs. I've been hurt by more declawed cats than cats with claws intact.

Bitsy is smaller than both the kitties and she loves to chase them around. Most of the time they put up with it or jump onto higher ground. KoKo is less tolerant than GiGi and will occasionally turn around and swat Bitsy (but never with her claws out). Both cats have growled at her, but I've never heard them hiss or spit at her. At night, we all sleep together peacefully on the same bed.

It is a possibility that your cat can harm your new puppy, so I would definitely not let them be alone together unsupervised, at least until I was sure they get along. To get your cat to accept the puppy quicker, I would suggest rubbing a towel on the cat, then rub the puppy so the puppy will have the cat's scent. Cats are different than dogs where the cat marks their scent on the people they like and deem "safe" (that's why cats rub against you) whereas dogs remember your scent.

KathyK09 · 03-11-2008, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItsyBitsy

To get your cat to accept the puppy quicker, I would suggest rubbing a towel on the cat, then rub the puppy so the puppy will have the cat's scent. Cats are different than dogs where the cat marks their scent on the people they like and deem "safe" (that's why cats rub against you) whereas dogs remember your scent.

That's so interesting - I didn't know that! We have had the Mariah for 8 wks now and the cat no longer growls at her nor does his back go up.

But Mariah often runs towards the cat barking. The cat will swipe at her. I don't think he ever gets close enough to actually hit her as Mariah runs away and yelps...then she runs right back toward the cat barking again. LOL! The cat has never tried to bite her.

Like I said this cat is extremely playful and he "stalks" all of us....including our other dog. He even hides around corners and jumps out at all the people in our house. I do think he is mainly playing with her. It's sooo funny watching him flop on his back and slowly drag himself across the floor to her (or whoever he wants to torture at that moment). It's like he's trying to be all casual and then he pounces. But he's never pounced ON her....just toward her.

We'll definitely try your suggestion! THANKS!

03-10-2008, 10:20 AM	#1
KathyK09 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northeast WI Posts: 97	Could declawed, indoor cat hurt/injure 16 wk old? Hello! Our Mariah is now 16 wks old and we've had her for 8 wks. She has been kept in a 2x6 x-pen in our bathroom while we are not home or can't supervise her. We want to move her x-pen into the kitchen. Our main concern is our male cat. He is an indoor, declawed cat but I have always been concerned that he could hurt/injure the puppy if left unsupervised. I can't help but remember another cat we used to have that was an indoor/outdoor cat that nearly killed a baby bunny before we stopped her (we saved the bunny). I think cats just have an instinct for this type of behavior. This cat, Cosmo, has such a huge personality. He is not afraid of anything (his nickname is Curious George). He does really goofy things, like one day he knocked our bichon's treats out of the basket they were in and dragged them to her kennel (while she was locked in) and ripped open the bag and ate some right in front of her door. I'm sure it drove her nuts seeing "the cat" eating her treats...right in front of her...and she could do nothing while locked in her kennel. He is VERY playful and goofy. Our bichon takes a mouthful of food from her dish and drops it on the floor to eat. The cat has many times plopped down right on top of her food so she couldn't eat it. He's done many, many other things like this. While the puppy, Mariah, was in the bathroom the cat has gone in a few times but never tried to get into the pen. While Mariah has been loose in the house the cat does go up to her and hiss/spit at her but his back doesn't go up anymore. Mariah does not seem too afraid. She will run/yipe when the cat does his his/spit thing but she turns right back around and barks and chases him. She often barks and chases him first too. The cat does "stalk" her. Sometimes I think he is playing with her. He will lay on his back and slowly drag himself across the floor to get close to her (as if to act like, "hey I'm just laying around on my back doing nothing wrong) and then will jump up and "scare" her. Now that Mariah is 16 wks old and much bigger/stronger then she was, I think she could hold her own against him, if it came down to it. But animals are unpredictable and I was wondering what everyone else thought.

03-10-2008, 10:41 AM	#3
Emmsmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 989	I would say yes. Cats use their claws to catch their prey. They use their teeth to kill it. Now I am not saying that your cat is going to kill your new puppy. I am saying that even tho he is declawed he can still bite. Not all cats are the same. My daughter's cat is an outdoor cat that comes in at night to sleep. He trys to attack Diesel every chance he gets. So when he comes in at night he knows he ins't allowed to roam. He sleeps in a nice big dog crate at night and he is just fine with that. I would just keep a very close eye on them. __________________ MICHELLE DIESEL "The Weasel" and little brother TUCKER

03-10-2008, 10:49 AM	#4
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I have a declawed cat and mine have been out with her since they were small pups. I dont think he could hurt your puppy __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

03-10-2008, 01:38 PM	#5
Emmsmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 989	I think every cat is different and you have to be the judge. Diesel was almost 2 when we brought the cat home as a kitten. I know I just don't trust our cat with Diesel because he has bitten Diesel before. He didn't draw blood but that was enough for me to keep them seperated. Good luck. __________________ MICHELLE DIESEL "The Weasel" and little brother TUCKER

03-10-2008, 01:53 PM	#6
MyTrixie143 Mom to 6 Beautiful Furkids Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,409	How big is your cat and how big is your puppy? I know my cats are a ton bigger than my yorkies and the power behind their paw when they swing could seriously hurt them. Luckily my two cats get along great with the dogs. I would keep a close eye on them and see how they interact with each other. __________________ A dog is a furry person! http://www.dogster.com/?300866 Tracey and the gang DestinyHarmonyScamperGracieLillieKiwi Hershey Peppi

03-10-2008, 02:37 PM	#7
flutterby YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 402	My new addition is 12 weeks and 1 1/2lbs.. My cat is 15lbs and 8 months old.. He was hissing at him and stuff the first day.. That has stopped and now he stalks him but just close enough to sniff and run.. My big boy has his claws (I didn't want to traumatize him and get them wripped out - he had a horrible past) but he doesn't use them.. I leave all 4 of my yorkies here with him alone.. I'm not worried about him attacking them.. 4 out numbers 1 by far! But he thinks he's a dog too ( he hates other cats ) so that works out well.. __________________ Kenya - Mommy to Brooklynn , Bailey , Bella (biewer), and Peyton

03-10-2008, 03:08 PM	#8
4doggiemama Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KS Posts: 3,289	My part-Himalayan kitty was determine to kill Chipper for the first 5 mo. of Chipper's life. She is frontal-declawed but grabs by the neck and shakes. I watched like a hawk. Then I went to TX for about a wk., came back, and Missy Cat decided that it was more fun to play. Now they are best of friends. Missy Cat caused no problems when I brought Snowboy home at 3 mo. I still don't trust Missy Cat with my 3 lb. Yorkie. I've caught Missy Cat going into a carrier, grabbing Cocoa by the neck, and throwing her out. __________________ Joanne Eli ChipperEva Snowboy Rosie(R.I.P. 1996-July 29, 2013) Cocoa(R.I.P 1998-April 26, 2012):

03-10-2008, 03:12 PM	#9
jeanietoo YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 783	I would definately not leave them alone til you have observed them together for quite a while. I had a cat who was declawed on all fours and he could bite my german shepard and make him cry in pain

03-11-2008, 05:34 AM	#10
KathyK09 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northeast WI Posts: 97	Thanks THANKS! I really appreciate all your replies. We've been paying closer attention to their relationship. I really think the cat is mainly playing with the puppy but we're going to be cautious.

03-11-2008, 07:10 AM	#11
ItsyBitsy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 221	I have two cats and Bitsy. The two cats came first and I brought Bitsy home when she was 9 weeks old and both the cats were a little over a year old. I really do think it depends on the personality of the cats. Both my cats still have their claws. I find that in my experience, all the declawed cats I've seen have been more anxious and more willing to go into attack mode, either using their teeth, or griping and raking with the undeclawed back legs. I've been hurt by more declawed cats than cats with claws intact. Bitsy is smaller than both the kitties and she loves to chase them around. Most of the time they put up with it or jump onto higher ground. KoKo is less tolerant than GiGi and will occasionally turn around and swat Bitsy (but never with her claws out). Both cats have growled at her, but I've never heard them hiss or spit at her. At night, we all sleep together peacefully on the same bed. It is a possibility that your cat can harm your new puppy, so I would definitely not let them be alone together unsupervised, at least until I was sure they get along. To get your cat to accept the puppy quicker, I would suggest rubbing a towel on the cat, then rub the puppy so the puppy will have the cat's scent. Cats are different than dogs where the cat marks their scent on the people they like and deem "safe" (that's why cats rub against you) whereas dogs remember your scent. __________________ KoKo GiGi Bitsy