Here in Canada, the declawing of cats is quite popular, however, in some countries, it is against the law, with good reason. Claws are very important to a cat's well-being, and should NOT be removed simply for owner convenience. For a list of the countries where declawing is illegal, please click here. Before you decide to have your cat declawed, please read the following, and find out why you SHOULD NOT have this done. As you will see (or SHOULD), declawing is a form of animal cruelty, and should not be done unless medically necessary. With proper training, and a little commitment on your part, your furniture and drapes can remain intact, you can retain your sanity, and you cat can keep its claws, just as nature intended. WHY DO CATS NEED THEIR CLAWS? While many people view scratching as destructive behavior, scratching is actually a very natural instinct for cats, and indeed necessary for both physical and psychological needs. Cats are very clean animals, and use their claws to remove dead hair and knots from their fur. A cat's claws are their primary means of defense, providing them with a weapon if they are being attacked. In addition, claws allow for good traction and rapid acceleration. Claws are used as a visible territorial mark, to ward off rival cats, are fundamental for climbing, hunting, and also aid in stretching and toning back and shoulder muscles. THE PROCEDURE The phrase "declawing a cat" is actually a misnomer. The fact of the matter is that it's not JUST the claw that is removed, but is actually the amputation of the end of the toe from the last joint, as you can see from the picture below. It is a very painful surgery, and although some cats appear to recover rather quickly, the majority DO NOT. Imagine having EVERY finger on both of your hands amputated at the first knuckle, and consider how long it would take YOU to recover.
COMPLICATIONS THAT MAY ARISE -
reaction to the anesthetic Although invisible to the human eye, it is possible for the nails to grow back inside the paw, or grow outward through the top of the foot, causing severe pain. As well, declawing results in a gradual weakening of leg, shoulder and back muscles. EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIORAL CHANGES As well as the medical complications, emotinal and behavioral changes may also occur. It is possible that the declawed cat may become distrustful , they may urinate and defecate outside their litter box in an attempt to ward off intruders. Some declawed cats undergo an extreme personality change, becoming timid or aggressive. Cats that have previously been well-behaved may turn into biters.
ALTERNATIVES TO DECLAWING Your cat should be provided with a sturdy scratching post, with a base large enough that the scratching post will not tip over when the cat uses it. Preferably, the post should be tall enough to allow the cat to stretch while scratching. They can be made from carpet, hemp or sisal, or even a bark covered log. Train your cat not to scratch. While this may seem like an easy task, it can (and will) take some patience and commitment on your part, since cats are independent creatures, and tend to do as they wish. It is VERY important to remember to NEVER yell or hit your cat; they do not respond well to loud noises, and hitting constitutes cruelty. Cover furniture to protect it from the cat's claws. Nail caps called SoftPaws can be applied over your cat's nails. They are completely safe, even if eaten, and come in several colours as well as clear. HOW TO TRIM CAT'S CLAWS Trimming your cat's claws on a regular basis, will save both your furniture, and possibly yourself from damage. The best time to introduce your cat to nail trimming, is when it is a kitten, however, that is not always possible, especially if you adopt an adult cat. Never use human nail clippers on a cat, as they will splinter your cat's claw, but rather, get the proper tool, which has been specially designed for claws. Clipping cat's claws should be done with care - if you're not sure how to do it correctly, ask your vet. The cat should be held firmly between your knees; the cat's back facing you, and pinned to your side with your arm. If this cannot be accomplished on your own, you may want to get someone to help you. Pushing the paw pad of the claw, which will reveal the unsheathed claw. When trimming cat's claws, make sure not to cut into the quick (the pink area in the middle), which contains the blood supply and nerves, and if cut, would cause pain and bleeding. The sharp white point of the claw is composed only of dead cells, and is safe to cut. Never use nail clippers designed for humans to clip a cat's claws, which will splinter them. Special claw clippers can be bought from the pet store, Your cat may object to claw cutting at first but, once introduced to the routine, it will soon accept having its nails trimmed once every couple of weeks. The following graphic shows the different parts of a cat's claw.
For more valuable information the importance of cat's claws, please visit the following sites: Lisaviolet's Don't Amputate! Educate! Amby's Declawing Cats: Issues and
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