<human>: My husband and I aren't cat people. Neither of us have ever owned a cat. When I was little, 2 or 3 my mom had a cat that attacked me at every opportunity, so, embarrassingly I have to admit I've always been terribly afraid of them. Anyway, my son absolutely adores cats/kittens and has begged for one for about a year. His 7th birthday was yesterday. My husband and I agreed that we would get him a kitten. He's still too little to leave his mom but we'll pick him up in a couple weeks. My husband and I have always been adamant about declawing a cat, until last night that is... while my 7 year old & I were learning all the things we need to buy we started reading up on declawing. I always assumed they removed the nail so it would no longer grow, instead i found that they cut off at, whats essentially the first knuckle of yours and my fingers. Which is a little disturbing but ok.... then I read that 30-40% of declawed cats aquire behavioral issues including refusal to use a litter box. So now there will be this cat that we just cut off part of his "fingers" who Cannot go outside not having anywhere to relieve itself in my house!  So what im looking for is, how difficult is it going to be to keep this kitten from clawing at furniture & people, are kitty caps (i think theyre called)the little rubber caps for their claws.. safe, humane and do they work? What kind of scratching items will he need? I read that carpet covered posts aren't useful, cats dont like them...  someone help!

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<bot>: first time cat/kitten owner, knows nothing about having a cat. all advice, ideas, and warnings are welcome