How to Decide to De-Claw a Cat

Declawing your cat is a heated debate in the cat care industry and among cat owners. People declaw their cats for two reasons: They want to protect their furniture, drapes and rugs from being ruined, and they want to protect themselves from being scratched. When you decide to declaw your cat, remember to think about the aftereffects on the animal.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Realize that it is a natural daily instinct for cats to stretch their bodies upward and scratch to tone their muscles, groom their nails and mark their territory. In addition, cats that spend any part of their day outdoors need their claws for climbing, chasing and self-defense as well.
2. Understand the declawing procedure. You may think they're just removing the claw part, but just like in humans, the nails are attached to the fingers and toes. So declawing a cat is a major surgical procedure that actually cuts off the toes across the first joint. Sometimes it even includes part of the foot pad by accident.
3. Accept that your cat may have many real physical and emotional consequences as a result of this procedure. It can take a cat two weeks or more to recover from the physical complications, which may include lameness, abscess and infection, joint pain, bleeding and sometimes arthritis or re-growing of claws. A newly declawed cat wonders why his feet are throbbing and who did this to him. As a result, he may become less trustful of humans and more aggressive. Declawed cats are also more apt to use their teeth in the future.
4. Try a cat scratching post if your main concern is your furniture. A sturdy, well-designed post placed in an area where your cat usually scratches may solve your problem. Rub catnip on the post to attract him and use lots of praise and treats when he uses it. Also, try to increase his outdoor time which will give him appropriate outlets for scratching. Use deterrents like sticky tape and tinfoil on surfaces he was scratching.
5. Show a kitten you are displeased with her scratching. Kittens learn quickly so after a few times scratching you when reaching up, she'll learn to keep her claws in around you. All you'll feel are her furry soft paw pads!
6. Have your vet or groomer teach you how to trim and file your cat's claws so they are less likely to scratch. Or take her for a professional grooming once a month and have it done for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Make the cat scratching post a family affair by building your own. There are many designs and plans available online.
• If budget is an issue, use a sturdy log that stands up or a piece of rug stapled to the wall as scratching alternatives to a post.
• When trying a scratching post, be sure it is sturdy and stable and not in a place where sudden noises may startle your cat. If it topples over or wobbles and scares your cat in any way, she will likely not return to it again.