Declawing Cats

There’s no doubt about it. Cats like to scratch things. Many people think that declawing cats is the only way to stop them from scratching up their furniture and shredding their possessions. But before you decide to put your kitty through the painful process of having her claws removed, read on.

Declawing is amputation

Declawing cats is not the same thing as having their nails cut. In reality, declawing your cat is similar to having your own fingers amputated at the first knuckle. In fact, in many countries, it is illegal to have a cat declawed because of the pain, trauma and deformity it causes the animal. When a cat is declawed, the last bone on each toe is removed, and a painful healing process results from the surgery. Some cat owners choose laser surgery because they believe the cat will feel less pain and heal more quickly. But even laser surgery causes pain and leaves the cat without part of his anatomy. It is a cat’s natural instinct to use his claws. Imagine yourself without the use of your fingers before you decide to declaw your pet.

A process introduced recently as an alternative to declawing is known as tenectomy. With this procedure, claws are not removed, but the tendons that extend them are cut. This can cause other problems for the cat since they still have claws but can no longer keep them trimmed through the natural process of scratching. If the cat’s owner is not vigilant about keeping the animal’s claws trimmed, the cat will be prone to ingrown nails and infections.

So what's the alternative?

Think twice (or three times) before declawing cats for the sake of convenience. A better alternative is to train the cat to use his claws in non-destructive ways. While it may seem like a major challenge, it is possible to do this and spare kitty’s claws. One way is to purchase or make scratching posts and teach your cat to use them. Rather than punishing or yelling at the cat when he does not use the post, praise and reward him when he does use it. Place the scratching post near something that your cat normally scratches and play with him by “showing” him how to use it. You can also try rubbing cat nip on the post to get your cat’s attention.

The best scratching posts are at least two feet tall. This is because cats like to stretch out when they scratch, and they will either stretch out on your carpet or up as far as they can reach on your furniture if they don’t have an alternative! You can get a tall post with a sturdy base or hang a smaller scratching board from a door knob or on the back of a chair so your cat can stretch fully when she uses it.

Another alternative to declawing cats is to cover their claws with nail caps called Soft Paws. These novel inventions are the brainchild of a veterinarian. They even come in a variety of colors to make them fun. Click here for a review of Soft Paws from our very own Buster.

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