Declawing Your Cat – Should You Do It?
My cats, Dorda and Mitty, were declawed by their previous human. Often I see them jump and fall. Everyday I hear them slap the wall of their litterbox because they can’t dig in the litter as nature intended.
Declawing cats is common in the United States. It’s a matter of convenience; what’s easiest for the human involved. It’s considered inhumane and unnecessary mutilation in England. It’s illegal in most European countries as well as Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and Brazil.
I believe that people would make the right decision about declawing if they knew what’s really involved. It isn’t just pulling out the claws. When a cat is declawed the claw and bone are removed to the joint. Basically, you’re cutting the end of the toe off.
Once done the skin is sutured or glued and the cat will spend a day or two in the hospital. Then it’s sent home to suffer for the rest of it’s life. A cat uses it’s claws for many things. Jumping, scratching, climbing, holding objects, even simple balance require the claws. Imagine the tips of your toes were cut off. Not so easy now, is it.
The main reason that cats are declawed is so they won’t scratch people or furniture. A cat’s scratch has never killed anyone and only causes momentary pain. Declawing a cat causes life long suffering and even death. Furniture can be replaced, but your cat is unique.
Often when a cat is declawed it’s personality changes completely. Your cat may become timid and hide, or aggressive and bite. You’ve made your cat defenseless. Biting becomes the only option for protection. Leaving the house is a death sentence for a declawed cat.
There are alternatives to declawing your cat. My first choice would be to train your cat to use a sisal rope Scratching Post
Put the scratching post somewhere that your cat travels frequently. Cats are smart and learn quickly. A sharp (not loud) NO and a carry to the post is usually all it takes. Add some catnip for incentive.
The cat scratching post above is on sale ($19.01 off) and comes with free Super Saver Shipping. Give it a look.
Next up is the Cat Claw Clipper
Clipping your cats claws is a much more humane way to control scratching than declawing is. Just be sure you only clip the curved tip of the claw.
Now we’ve come to Soft Claws Cat Nail Caps. These come in Small
To use these you clip your cat’s claws, apply adhesive, and then the cap. They last about for weeks on average.
As you can see there are alternatives to maiming your cat for life. I prefer the scratching post, but any is better than declawing.
There’s also another surgery in which the tendon that controls the claws is severed. In my opinion, this is worse than declawing. This surgery often leads to complications and should be avoided.
Now you know the truth about declawing. I hope you see that true cat lovers don’t declaw there cats. They just love them regardless.
Best,
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By Al Smith, February 7, 2010 @ 4:51 PM
Great post Rick! I totally agree with your article. I have two cats and would not even consider declawing them.
We have an inside cat that we take to the groomers for nail clipping and grooming. Our other cat loves to be outside during the day and we have never even had her claws cut at all in the five years we have had her.
She takes care of that herself on the scratching posts, trees and our wooden fence. We are always watchful for any complications and have never had to clip her claws even once.
More than once she has needed every tool at her disposal as other larger cats and animals like to intrude on her territory. We have scratching posts upstairs and downstairs, and they use them frequently. We have had to replace a chair and a sofa in our over 30 years being cat owners but they are worth it, and do not consider it a problem.
Kudos for you writing on this subject. Keep up the good work.
Al Smith
Al Smith´s last blog ..Get Inspired – Stimulate Your Brain, Capture Your Thoughts
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
February 11th, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Thanks Al. Dorda and Mitty always give me that dazed look when they jump and fall. It breaks my heart.
By Al Smith, February 11, 2010 @ 9:49 PM
Hi Rick,
One of the cats we have is from a cat homeless shelter, and we are changing her life for the better.
One of our previous cats was found in a garbage bin beside a conveneience store when she was but a kitten, no more than a few weeks old.
Yes, people can be pretty cruel. We changed her life and she lived another 16 years in comfort and joy with us until she got cancer and passed away.
Take comfort in the fact that you are giving them the best home and life they could ask for now.
Believe it that your cats care is heaven on earth for your cats.
No one can change the past but we can certainly make them a better future.
Good for you Rick
Al Smith
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