Thursday, August 9, 2012

Declawing Your Cat - The Realities and Alternatives


     

Many people get a kitten and while having it spayed/neutered, decide to declaw to avoid problems such things as shredding furniture and curtains.  The kitten undergoes a surgery, and WA LA!  problem solved.  Or is it?  Let's take a peek into the truth behind declawing.

First and foremost, declawing your cat is MAJOR surgery, and is excrutiatingly painful.  Declawing isn't just removing the nail - it is a surgery that is actually an amputation of the tips of the cats foot - having them removed is like having each of your fingers amputated at the first knuckle - so in effect, your cat has endured 10 amputations (assuming you've only done the front feet) and has been mutilated for life.  Your cat not only has the agony he sufferes immediately after the surgery, but he also has to walk, stretch, and use the litter box while healing, which takes time and every movementis very painful.
 This surgery also leads to an altered gait, as cats are "digitigrade", which means they walk on their toes.  After declawing, the cat's gait is altered, which can affect every joint in the leg, and cause athritis in these joints as the cat ages.

Another big problem thatoften occurs after declawing is litter box issues.  Cats that had previously used their litter box faithfully can associate the pain caused while digging in litter to the litter box itself, and stop using it at all, instead, choosing the nice soft carpet which doesn't hurt their feet.

Declawing can be dangerous for your cat if it get's outside - it no longer has the primary defense weapon of all cats.  He can become easy prey to larger cats, dogs or other predators, and he's basically defensless.

                                                                 Alternatives

So you've decided that declawing is not an option for your beloved cat, yet you want to protect your belongings.  There are other options that are humane!  Exercise is a large part of the solution.  So how do you exercise a cat you ask?  Through play!  Those toys that dangle off a wooden or plastic handle are an easy way to  provide entertainment and exercise - and a tired cat is a lot less likely to get into trouble.  Take 15 to 20 minutes and play.  Your cat will enjoy it, and your bond will deepen.

Provide places for you cats to scratch.  Get different shaped scratching posts and place them in various rooms around your house.  There are vertical as well as horizontal scratching posts, using different shapes will encourage your cat to use them.

 You can trim their nails too, much as dog's nails are trimmed.

Last, but not least, there are nail tips out there made just for your cat.  Yes, nail tips!  Called "Soft Paws" these are artificial vinyl caps that cover your cat's natural nail, and come in clear or colors.  When they come off, you replace them - and no more worries about scratching!

Thankfully, declawing isn't the only option for protecting you, your children and belongings from the claws of your cat.  With far more humane solutions, you can solve the problem and have a healthier, and happier cat.

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