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Declawing Your Cat - Understanding the Implications

2016/5/4 10:29:12

Cats, like many other mammals, have claws, and those claws can do a lot of damage in the wrong situation. But is the safety of your furniture really the best reason to declaw your cat? Before making any decision, it is important to fully understand what goes on when declawing a cat.

When you take your cat to the veterinarian to be declawed, there are several different techniques that may be used. Regardless of the method, the outcome is the same: using surgical tools, the bones that make up the end of your cat's toes will be removed. These bones are where a cat's claws are attached, and by removing the bone, the claw is also removed.

Veterinary research has indicated that cats may experience a great deal pain during the operation and certainly after it as well. No one has been able to ascertain just what degree pain the cat might feel, but cats have been observed refraining from putting weight on the recently declawed paws. A cat may continue to experience pain in the paws for days afterward.

But why then, would a cat owner decide to declaw a cat? The most common reason is that the cat scratches a lot, possibly doing damage to property or harming people. But what many pet owners don't realize is that scratching is a very normal behavior for cats. It serves several purposes:

- Defending against predators
- Marking territory (Some studies have shown that cats may have scent glands in their paws)
- Strengthening leg and back muscles
- Removing old tissue from the claw

Even if a cat is successfully declawed with limited pain, the lack of claws and bone may result in poor balance, a weakening of muscles, and in many cases distress as the cat realizes it can no longer scratch. A declawed cat may also develop behavioral issues such as refusing to use the litter box.

Further risks do come with declawing. A cat may respond poorly to medications it is given, the surgery could be performed improperly; hemorrhaging may be a problem, as cats tend to bleed profusely. Some cases of paralysis due to tourniquet use have been reported as have incidents of increased disease brought on by stress and reduced immune system function.

Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives to declawing a cat that may be scratching excessively. The best option is simply to train your cat not to scratch on anything but special surface, like a scratching post. Many cat owners are not aware that it is possible to train a cat. Using rewards and positive reinforcement is often effective in getting a cat to avoid certain behaviors.

Another option is simply to keep your cats claws clipped regularly. This may be a challenge for many owners as cats generally do not like to be handled and groomed. This solution will not make the cat scratch lesser, but simply reduce the damages.

You may also decide to apply nail caps to your cat's claws. These plastic caps need to be replaced every month or so, and will only reduce the damage your cat might do to your property or person.

Cats love to keep themselves clean and spend nearly 30% of their life grooming themselves. You can learn more about this amazing pet, including topics such as cat health and training & cat supplies on PetCustomer.com.