After months of deliberation, examining the pros and cons of taking Barney with us when we leave 3 acres and a 3300 sq. ft. home for a 33 ft. 5'er, we made the final decision. We can't leave him behind with the house sitter. So today he was declawed (please no comments), bathed and dewormed and will transition into the house full time till we leave next week. I'm prepared for lots of howling from him to go outside (I think) when we move into the 5'er.
I will have a carrier for him to ride in while we're moving down the road, his litter box in the shower and all toys on board. He's a maine coon and very big, fat and fluffy. Anything I'm leaving out? I guess I need to get him a kitty run for outdoors, but I'm thinking that until the 5'er becomes his new norm I don't want to remind him that he doesn't have the ability to roam anymore. Can't help but feel sorry for him, even though leaving him here without us would be worse. When we left for 3 wks. for a family trip in March, the housesitter didn't give him the attention we do of course and he was very detached until a couple of weeks ago. I don't want to ruin a good cat by ignoring him, so he's going - play is MANDATORY for this cat - he requires as much attention as a dog, which is fine with us.
Bill & Linda
Ladymc & Shuttlebird
2008 Silver Dodge Diesel Dually 3500 - "The Silver Bullet"
Towing 1998 35 ft. Newmar 5th wheel
20K Husky Hitch & Blue Ox Bedsaver
Handheld Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS AND Sat. in dash mounted GPS in the truck
READY TO ROLL!
I like your decision. Give him time he will be fine.
We started full timing less than 3 months ago and we brought all 3 of our kitties with us. They are doing fine. They still don't like the travel days, but they are quite used to their new home (our 5th wheel).
We brought a small carpeted cat tree, their beds and lots of toys. The thing that entertains them the most is the bird feeders I set up at our camp sites. All three cats run from window to window to watch the birds outside. One cat is now starting to walk on a leash. The other two are not very good in wearing a harness, so they stay inside.
Good luck in your travels with your kitty.
Barb
2001 Chev. 3500 CC Duallie, D/A, 20.5 Pullrite Super 5th, Roll n Lock, StarBoards, Firestone Air Bags, TTT Mirrors, BrakeSmart.
2004 HitchHiker Discover America 33 1/2 CKQG, Disc Brakes, Mor/Ryde IS
Garmin Nuvi 350
It should work out fine..... even if the transition time is a bit short for him to get used to being inside. With a LOT of patience and plenty of love this will be successful.
The only comment I have about the declawing is please, please, please remember that once that is done he cannot be an outside cat again... ever.
Best of luck!
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
I like your decision and it's best for Barney and it's sounds like there is no way you would be comfortable if you left him, your love for him shines through.
You do what you have to do, don't worry about the declawing, the way they do it now is much less painful and traumatic, but Cat is right, don't let him get out.
Maybe after a while you can leash train him, it seems quite a few on this board have done that and I've seen many in campgrounds.
Enjoy!
The only comment I have about the declawing is please, please, please remember that once that is done he cannot be an outside cat again... ever.
Not true - I've had various declawed cats throughout my life who have been in/out cats and even chased the big dogs out of the yard - they never knew the difference. Neither did the dogs...they EXPECTED to be clawed, so when the cat slapped, they yelped and ran. Go figure. But Barney will be an inside kitty due to the fact that we'll be in the 5'er. If and when we ever settle in a stix and brix again, he'll more than likely be in/out again, depending on the area and the situation at the time.
sher9570 wrote: I like your decision and it's best for Barney and it's sounds like there is no way you would be comfortable if you left him, your love for him shines through.
You do what you have to do, don't worry about the declawing, the way they do it now is much less painful and traumatic, but Cat is right, don't let him get out.
Maybe after a while you can leash train him, it seems quite a few on this board have done that and I've seen many in campgrounds.
Enjoy!
Sher
Yeah, I think I'll wait a while to leash him. Problem for me has been finding a harness that will fit the fat cat...He's fluffy and being a Maine Coon, is big to begin with. I've tried looked at a small dog harness, but they're stiff and the cloth one's aren't big enough. Will keep look, though I'm in no hurry.
The only comment I have about the declawing is please, please, please remember that once that is done he cannot be an outside cat again... ever.
Not true - I've had various declawed cats throughout my life who have been in/out cats and even chased the big dogs out of the yard - they never knew the difference. Neither did the dogs...they EXPECTED to be clawed, so when the cat slapped, they yelped and ran. Go figure. But Barney will be an inside kitty due to the fact that we'll be in the 5'er. If and when we ever settle in a stix and brix again, he'll more than likely be in/out again, depending on the area and the situation at the time.
OK.... I'll just say that if it were me I would never allow the cat outside again unattended......... but that's just me....I suppose that I can just hope he does well enough inside that you wouldn't consider allowing him back out.
ladymc53 wrote: After months of deliberation, examining the pros and cons of taking Barney with us when we leave 3 acres and a 3300 sq. ft. home for a 33 ft. 5'er, we made the final decision. We can't leave him behind with the house sitter. So today he was declawed (please no comments), bathed and dewormed and will transition into the house full time till we leave next week. I'm prepared for lots of howling from him to go outside (I think) when we move into the 5'er.
I will have a carrier for him to ride in while we're moving down the road, his litter box in the shower and all toys on board. He's a maine coon and very big, fat and fluffy. Anything I'm leaving out? I guess I need to get him a kitty run for outdoors, but I'm thinking that until the 5'er becomes his new norm I don't want to remind him that he doesn't have the ability to roam anymore. Can't help but feel sorry for him, even though leaving him here without us would be worse. When we left for 3 wks. for a family trip in March, the housesitter didn't give him the attention we do of course and he was very detached until a couple of weeks ago. I don't want to ruin a good cat by ignoring him, so he's going - play is MANDATORY for this cat - he requires as much attention as a dog, which is fine with us.
If you didn't want comments, you should have kept that about declawing to yourself. There are psychological consequences to declawing, I hope your cat makes it through ok. Getting a cat declawed as pre-emptive methodology is just wrong. I hope it all works out for your cat....
Out Ginger has been declawed since she was 12 weeks old. Anything psychological that would have happened doesn't seem to have made a difference. She is well behaved and seems very happy and comfy with us. She is the last of many cats I have had but the first I had declawed. She is strictly an indoor cat and after seeing what does NOT happen to furniture or her, I would not hesitate doing it again. It is a personal choice and I made mine. I would not presume to tell anyone else what to do in order to enjoy their pet more. Declawing makes sense for an indoor animal and they don't seem to know the difference if they are young when it is done. And our vet agreed with us!
Frank
One cat is now starting to walk on a leash. The other two are not very good in wearing a harness, so they stay inside.
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