(OT) August 8 is International Cat Day

[agate]

Who knew that cats have their own day? And it's today:

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[jingle]

My cats think EVERY day is Cat Day.

[agate]

They're absolutely right, of course. Cats aren't wrong very often.

In fact I used to watch cats prepare to make jumps, and there were some jumps I could have sworn they wouldn't be able to do. But they gauged the distance carefully beforehand and then made the leap. They never fell.

One who did fall sometimes had no front claws. A previous owner had removed her front claws. She found it hard to get a grip on some surfaces when she made jumps.

Ever since noticing how she had that falling problem I've had real doubts about whether cats should be declawed. I did have that done to a cat once, and even then--many years ago--it struck me as no easy operation for a kitty to put up with.

[Howie]

I've never had a cat declawed and don't understand why it's done. You go into cat ownership knowing cats have claws. If that causes you any trouble, get a dog.

[agate]

Hmm. Dogs have claws and yet they don't very often use them to defend themselves. Maybe their anatomy is different and it's a bit harder for them to put out their claws.

[Howie]

Dogs use their claws mostly for digging. And this wears the claws down so they don't get too long. But humans have removed them from the outdoor life, and it becomes necessary to have to cut their claws. What a chore that is. Cats, if properly kept, have a scratching post. A cats claws grow in layers, and by scratching, they shed that outer layer, and a new, sharp claw is exposed.

But they will also scratch on a tree, or on your sofa or table leg. Not good, but they are following their instinct. In the wild, their claws can kill prey, and tear the flesh. A house cat is just a step away from a lion or any wild cat. Their instincts are the same.

[agate]

Of course Sam has a scratching post?

[Howie]

Of course! But another of my cats used the corner of the sofa and matching chair. Oh well.

[agate]

One of my cats preferred an upholstered armchair too. I kept cutting the shredded parts away but she pretty much wrecked it.

[Howie]

But you didn't get too mad, did you. You are a cat person and understand, that's just a cat, being a cat. But they are well worth owning. When a cat loves you, you know it.

[agate]

You can't get mad at a cat who's just sharpening up her claws. Who wants dull claws? I wouldn't.

[Howie]

I keep mine sharp, but the corner of the sofa is looking pretty rough.

[Virginia]

Howie, you are smart about cats.