Declawing, or Onchyectomy by vet terms, is the process of removing the claws. Most Veternarians will only remove the front claws, but some will still remove all 4 paws if requested by the owner of the cat. A 4 paw declaw should not be done due to the fact that it leaves your cat defenseless if he or she were to get out. Declawing in general has been an issue for many years. Personally I am completely against declawing and would never get my cats declawed unless a medical issue demands it. To declaw a cat is to litterly rip his claws out and cut off the first knuckle as well. It's a very painful procedure for a cat to go through. Most surgical precedures allow the animal to go home the same day, a cat declaw warrents a stay of two to three days. Of corse they are on powerful pain meds, but it still is a painful and tramatic precedure. Most cats do recover with little to no lasting effects, but a small portion may never fully be themselves again. The small portion is usually the older cats that are declawed. The younger the cat, the better if a declaw is being done. If you do decide to get your kitty declawed, please look into laser declawing. Laser declawing is less painful and the cats recover quicker and better then if the typical surgery was done. There is also less bleeding and the cat is not under anesthesia as long.
As I stated earlier, I do not believe in Declawing, unless there is just reason to have it done. Some cats do get a herditary condition that affects the claws and the only relief from this is a declaw. In these cases the cats are happier after. I know of one cat that had to be declawed on all 4 paws because her claws would grow to the side and twist, causing the nail to grow into the cats paws which caused her great pain. I also believe that a home is better then no home at all. If declawing is weighed between sending the cat to the pound or letting him lose, I vote to declaw. That's what I mean by a home is better then no home at all. Most cats brought into the shelter are put down because they are there too long or there is simply not enough space to house them. So even though you may not believe in declawing, take a look at the whole picture. Would you rather see that 12 week old kitten or 3 year old cat be put to death or would you rather see that kitten or cat get declawed and stay with a loving family the rest of his life? Ask yourself that question and maybe you will look at declawing in a different light. I have and that is why I wrote this article.......always in the best interrestes of the animal. Of corse there are alternitives I always recomend.
Cats scratch, that's what they do. Weather it's the couch or a scratching post, or even your pant leg. Training your kitten what to scratch from an early age is best, but an adult cat can learn as well. Buy a scratching post and teach them that they are to scratch on that, not your furniture. Most cats will be drawn by the scratching post (the bigger and more hiding places it has, the better and more apealing to the cat). Placing some cat nip on the post will help as well. Another alternitive is soft paws. Soft Paws are plastic nail covers that get glued to the cat's claws and prevents it from scratching. These can be purchased in any pet store (Petco has them). Sticky Paws also prevent cats from scratching on certain objects and furniture. (also found at Petco) If you have any specific questions, please email me using the link below.
