Scratching is a natural behavior for cats. This
removes the dead husks from their claws, marks territory,
both visually and with scent glands in their paws, and stretches
their muscles. Unfortunately, what is natural behavior for
a cat often is considered misbehavior by a cat's human guardian,
especially when furniture or other household objects are damaged
in the process.
The sensible and humane solution to undesirable
scratching is to modify the cat's conduct by making changes
in the environment. Many guardians, however, choose to modify
their cats by having the cat's claws removed. Usually, the
front claws are the only ones cut off, but some guardians
also have the back claws removed.
A Painful Surgery
Surgical claw removal or declawing is called
onychectomy. By any name, it is an extreme measure in which
the entire last part of the ten front toes are amputated.
A graphic comparison in human terms would be the cutting off
of a person's finger at the last joint.
General anesthesia is used for this surgery,
which always has a certain degree of risk of disability or
death associated with it. Because declawing provides no medical
benefits to cats, even slight risk can be considered unacceptable.
In addition, the recovery from declawing can be painful and
lengthy and may involve postoperative complications such as
infections, hemorrhage, and nail regrowth. The latter may
subject the cat to additional surgery.
A less invasive procedure, called tenotomy or
deep digital flexor tendonectomy, sometimes is done. In this
procedure, the tendons controlling the claws are severed without
removing the claws. Although postoperative problems are lessened
by this procedure, the risks associated with general anesthesia
and the ethical question of performing surgery which does
not benefit the patient still apply.
Physical and Psychological
Effects
Declawing robs a cat of an integral means of
movement and defense. Because they cannot defend themselves
adequately against attacks by other animals, declawed cats
who are allowed outdoors may be at increased risk of injury
or death. Moreover, it is unknown whether declawing causes
some degree of privation with respect to satisfying the instinctive
impulses to climb, chase, exercise, and to mark territory
by scratching.
Some declawed cats behave as they did before
they were declawed, but others undergo a profound personality
change. They may become extremely timid or unusually aggressive.
Whether such problems develop from the trauma of surgery or
the absence of claws is a matter of speculation.
Some Options to Declawing:
Scratching Posts
Training a cat to use a scratching post is the
most common alternative to declawing. Ideally, cat guardians
should install scratching posts in their houses before they
bring home a cat. Otherwise, guardians should put scratching
posts next to the sofas, breakfronts, or carpets into which
cats are currently sinking their claws.
A scratching post should be well anchored so
that it will not tip over when the cat uses it. The post also
should be tall enough so that the cat can stretch herself
or himself while scratching. The scratching surface should
be made from a strong material like sisal, hemp or carpet,
whichever the cat prefers. Even better would be a combination
of materials. Scratching posts, like litter pans, should be
deployed on every story of the house to which a cat has access.
To teach a cat to use a scratching post, wave
a toy directly in front of the post so that the cat's nails
dig into the post as he or she grabs for the toy. Play this
game two or three times a day for a few days and the cat will
soon be climbing the post spontaneously. You could also apply
some catnip to the post for additional enticement.
Discourage Certain Behavior
To keep your cat off what you do not want scratched,
try changing the texture of the item, such as placing a sheet
over the sofa or using aluminum foil or double sided tape
on the object. You may also be able to discourage her or him
by using a scent which cats generally do not like, but which
is not unpleasant for human beings. One which may work is
the fresh smell of citrus. Consider using a spray bottle with
water whenever you catch your cat scratching something he/she
should not. If you start out making it clear what objects
that cat cannot scratch, you may be able to prevent problem
scratching altogether.
Trimming Nails
Keeping a cat's nails trimmed is another alternative
to declawing. Cat guardians can lessen the amount of husk-removal
scratching their cats engage in by seeing that the claws are
clipped regularly. The tip of the claw should be removed along
with any loose husk covering the fresh, sharper claw underneath.
If their claws are clipped as needed, once every week or two,
cats will have less desire to remove the husks of dead claws
by scratching - an activity frequently mistaken for sharpening
the claws.
To trim a cat's claws, place her or him on a
table or on your lap, and facing away from you. Lift one of
the legs so that the lower part of the leg rests in your upturned
fingers. Holding the leg securely but non-threateningly between
the heel of your thumb and the tips of your middle, ring,
and little fingers, grasp the paw between your thumb and forefinger.
Press down gently on top of the paw with your thumb, spreading
the toes and extending the claws. Check each claw individually.
Do not trim blunt or rounded claws. If the nail is honed to
a talon-like point, clip it. Be careful to clip the hooked
part of the claw only. Avoid cutting into the pink tissue
visible inside the nail.
Nail Caps
There are commercial products which cover the
claws and reduce the need for frequent trimming of the nails.
A nontoxic adhesive is used to attach a plastic cap over each
claw. These are alleged to last up to 6 weeks and are not
harmful if eaten by the cat.
This information courtesy of:
http://www.declawing.com/htmls/article.htm
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