CatSnip ON DECLAWING

     Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, and it may be tempting to try to preserve your furniture by having your pet de-clawed.  Project Catsnip does not perform the procedure of declawing a cat and encourages cat owners to find less harmful alternatives.  Contrary to what you may think, de-clawing is not a simple or painless procedure.

The Facts:
     When you have your cat declawed, you are having the entire bone that contains the claw amputated from your kitty’s fingers.  There is excruciating pain involved as well as a high chance for complications such as damage to radial tissue, hemorrhage, bone chips preventing healing, painful growth of deformed claws within the pads, and chronic back and joint pain as other muscles in the cat’s body weaken from the lessened amount of support. This is not a routine procedure like spay/neuter, it is a major surgery. Imagine, if you will, having your fingers amputated to the first knuckle.

     As if these reasons aren’t a strong enough argument against the procedure, there are also personality and behavioral changes that can occur.  Some cats may become more withdrawn and introverted while others become nervous and aggressive after being deprived of their only defense and my be more prone to biting. Other cats may resort to urination to mark territory since they can no longer do it with their claws.

The Law :
     Already, the following countries have outlawed declawing, deeming it inhumane mutilation: England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, North Ireland, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Portugal, Belgium, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Yugoslavia, and Japan

Alternatives:
     The best way to deal with your cat scratching is to understand that it is an inherent behavior. Giving your cat an outlet for scratching is key to diverting him away from destroying your house. Provide your cat with an appropriate scratching post.  It must be tall enough to accommodate the length of your cat’s body, and it must also be solidly supported.  If it falls over once, your cat will not use it. Cats like rough surfaces that they can shred, so keep this in mind when shopping for a post.  Place the post in a place that is used by the family, not in some back corner.  Cats scratch to mark territory, and having it in a public place makes it a much better target for kitty’s scratching desires.  Initially, put the post in an area that you’ve seen your cat scratching.  You can gradually move it to a more desirable location after kitty has become accustomed to using it.  Also, you can reward him when he uses it and play with your cat near the post. Near his sleeping area is a great place to put a post since cats like to scratch when they awaken.

     You can also use citrus odors on areas that you DON’T want kitty to scratch (your couches, curtains, etc) to deter the behavior. You also will want to get rid of your cat’s scent on the area’s she’s been scratching with a pet odor destroyer.

     Behavior modification is a much more efficient solution. Just be persistent and they will eventually get the message. 

     Trimming your cat’s nails may also help minimize destruction.  This is usually a two person job since cats don’t usually like you to mess with their feet.  Use one hand to press on the top of their foot and the pad underneath so that the claws will be exposed, and use nail trimmers to cut the sharp edges off. Make sure you avoid the area with pink tissue in it or your cat will bleed and hurt. There is also a product called Soft Paws that can be applied to the nails to keep them blunt.  They are caps that you glue on the end of kitty’s claws.  You can pick them up at a local vet or call 1-800-989-2542.  

Still Not Convinced?

Visit www.declawing.com for more information.  We often get the question, “When I bring my cat to get spayed, can you de-claw her too?”  It is very rare to find a non-profit humane organization that performs this inhumane procedure, and now you know why.