DirtDawg - I don't agree with cats being declawed either. It's against the law to do it in Australia. I once got angry with someone on Facebook who said they were going to get their cat declawed because it had scratched the carpet. Yet the owner had nothing like a scratching post for the cat to scratch in the first place. Stupid idiot.
See, that is the essence of the problems people have trying to tame and domesticate a cat. They have their ways and their instincts can not be ignored. They need high places to overlook, they have to keep their claws deadly sharp, they go by scent to identify food, play things, friends and dangers.
They are highly intelligent and "scary smart" (no way to put it, like how my cat can tell time and always wakes me up two minutes before the alarm goes off - dead serious!) in ways that make no sense.
My cat always brings me something when I am sick or have irritated my old back injury. She is an indoor cat, so it is often a toy, but our last cat was a hunter. Spent most of his time outside. Cats often bring live prey when you get sick. Most people think this kind of crap just sucks and hate cats for this reason, but that behavior is your cat caring for you.
One time my wife and I were both bedridden with a terrible flu. The cat had his own door, and one afternoon he brought us two live birds in his mouth. Can you imagine what he went through to capture ONE bird and keep it alive to bring home to us - BUT NO, this awesome beast managed to capture TWO birds, keeping them both alive in his fang filled jaws, one for each of us. Cats are amazing!
They can see in darkness twenty times less light than we can, then being able to see farther into both ends of the spectrum well beyond what we can see. Hearing over three octaves above ours, little "whisker like" sensors all over their bodies to sense air movement and super low frequencies. Lots more!
They also can understand dozens of words, once you get to know each other.
Cats can be amazing but you have to give them a bit of what they need to keep them "happy." Then to be a successful owner/keeper/guardian, you have to learn a bit about how cat love manifests. Then accept that love or you are not a cat person.
Fucking get them some high places and a scratchy place. NEVER remove their claws.
