Declawing
Many people believe that declawing their cat is the surgical removal of the cat's nails. This is incorrect. Before making the decision to have your cat declawed be aware that there may be an alternative to declawing.
Declawing a cat is a procedure that is mostly done in the United States and most owners are not aware of what declawing is. In England, declawing is considered "inhumane" and an "unnecessary mutilation" and, in fact, in many European countries it is illegal to have a cat declawed as well as in some areas in the United States. Nowadays, many veterinarian practices will not declaw a cat, and some veterinarians put age restrictions on when declaw surgery can take place as some older cats that are declawed have adverse personality changes.
Important facts about declawing:
- declawing is not a manicure
- declawing is a serious surgery
- a cat's claw is not a toenail
A cat's claw is adhered to the bone – so closely adhered to the bone, that in order to declaw the cat, the last bone of the cat's claw has to be removed! Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of the cat's "toe". Liken this to having your finger amputated to the first joint.
Most veterinarians that do perform declaws will only do so when a cat is under a year old because after this age it can be difficult on the cat for a number of reasons. Longer recovery time and there is significant evidence of adverse changes to the cat's personality (i.e., behavioral changes, litter box issues, aggression). Declawing is a painful surgery and during the recovery period, the cat still has to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing. All of this is why most veterinarians insist that the younger cats tolerate this procedure better than the older ones and most often combine this surgery with the spay/neuter procedure.
A cat is designed for grace and agility. Its claws are an important part of that design – for climbing, for holding onto prey, and for defense (the back claws). Amputation of their claws deprives a cat of its primary means of defense – which means leaving the cat prey to predators if the cat were to ever get loose by accident and escape outdoors.
If you are at your wits end and can find no other way to keep the cat from scratching a favorite rug or destroying your new expensive couch, consider the following before declawing:
Alternatives to Declawing
- Scratching posts – Not all cats instinctively know how to use a scratching post. However, you can teach a cat to use one. Gently place the cat's front paws on the cat post and simulate the scratching motion several times on the post. Do this a few times a day and after you do this, immediately give the cat a favorite treat along praise. The best scratching post is the kind that has the "sisal rope" that is wrapped around the tube. The carpeted posts often encourage the cat to scratch your carpet.
- "Cat Scratching Solutions" provides many solutions as well as insight into the psychology of why cats scratch.
- Keep the cat's claws trimmed short, (which you should do anyway, regardless if you use a scratching post or not).
- Soft Paws® - - Soft Paws® are lightweight, vinyl nail caps that are glued on the cat's front claws. They are available in clear and a rainbow of colors (in case you want to play beauty parlor). These are a great solution for those people who are not home much and do not have the time necessary to teach a cat to use a scratching post or have small children. Soft Paws® are easy to apply and last about 4-6 weeks until the nail grows out and then you apply a new set. (800) 989-2542.
