The purpose of this infographic is to ensure that all cat caregivers are fully au fait with the importance of claws to the domestic cat. Sometimes I think millions of cat owners (hardly caregivers) in the United States forget these nine aspects of feline behavior which are integral to their existence when they declaw their cats out of convenience, to avoid scratches and protect furniture. There are common sense alternatives to declawing (see below).
To remove these aspects of domestic cat behaviour in brutal, ten partial amputations is undeniably cruel. And yet millions of cat owners don’t see it that way and they are often egged on by their veterinarian who is patently in breach of their solemn oath when they do this.
Sorry, if this sounds like boring lecturing but declawing is a huge, self-inflicted feline health problem in the US and to a lesser extent in Canada where it is now on the way out thanks to enlightened legislation. There also pockets of declawing bans in the US as well including two states thank goodness.
I feel that all experienced cat caregivers will be fully aware of the information presented in the infographic. Newcomers to cat ownership might not. It is, therefore, for them.
When your vet bamboozles you into believing that cat declawing is the benign removal of a cat’s nails as if they are being clipped, don’t believe him. This is a partial and significant amputation of each toe. It is bloody and exceedingly painful. One vet tech said that cats climb the walls of their pens in agony when recovering from the operation.
The obvious greatest loss to a cat after declawing is the inability to defend themselves which means that they need to be full-time indoor cats. All very well and good you might say to yourself. No great loss there and perhaps a good thing but I say no because 99% of all homes in which there are full-time indoor cats are metaphorically speaking environmental deserts for the domestic cat. Nothing to do. No real way to express their natural behaviours.
This is a double whammy of deficits for the cat: loss of claws and loss of a full life.
I am all for keeping cats indoors provided that the indoor environment is substantially modified to accommodate the cat. This needs to be a compromise environment but it almost never is as the indoors of homes is always designed for people.
Yes, I am lecturing now which is a bad idea. But the point is that claws are a central aspect of the cat’s anatomy. They are important. You can’t justify slicing them off together with a third of the cat’s toe (times ten). You just can’t if you profess to be a cat caregiver.
- More: declawing
- More: ban declawing
Declawing is a controversial practice (to put it mildly) that is increasingly discouraged due to its potential harm to cats. There are many humane and effective alternatives to declawing that address issues like scratching furniture or people. Here’s a list:
1. Provide Scratching Posts and Pads
- Offer various types of scratching surfaces (e.g., sisal, cardboard, carpet) and place them near areas where your cat tends to scratch.
- Vertical and horizontal options cater to different preferences.
2. Use Nail Caps
- Soft plastic caps (like Soft Paws) can be glued onto your cat’s claws to prevent damage. They are safe, non-invasive, and need to be replaced every 4-6 weeks as the claws grow.
3. Trim the Cat’s Nails
- Regularly trimming your cat’s claws keeps them blunt, reducing the risk of damage to furniture or accidental scratches. Use a proper cat nail trimmer and avoid cutting into the quick.
4. Use Double-Sided Tape or Deterrent Sprays
- Cats dislike sticky surfaces. Applying double-sided tape to areas they frequently scratch can discourage the behavior.
- Deterrent sprays with safe, non-toxic ingredients can also keep cats away from certain spots.
5. Train and Redirect Behavior
- Use positive reinforcement to encourage your cat to use designated scratching areas. Reward them with treats, praise, or play whenever they scratch appropriately.
- If they scratch where they shouldn’t, gently redirect them to an acceptable surface.
- PREDICT certain aspects of cat behaviour entailing the use of claws and take proactive avoidance steps. This is about understanding cat behaviour through observation which is the duty of all cat caregivers. Avoid getting scratched by using one’s intelligence. Humans are meant to be smarter than cats. 😎😉
6. Cover or Protect Furniture
- Use furniture covers, scratching deterrent materials, or slipcovers to protect your belongings.
- Place scratching posts near furniture they target to provide a nearby alternative.
7. Use Pheromone Diffusers or Sprays
- Products like Feliway can help reduce stress or territorial scratching by mimicking calming feline pheromones.
8. Provide Enrichment and Play
- Cats may scratch out of boredom. Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and regular playtime can redirect their energy and satisfy their need for stimulation.
9. Apply Scratch-Deterring Products
- Products with scents cats dislike, such as citrus-based solutions, can be applied to furniture. Ensure they are safe and non-toxic.
10. Consult a Veterinarian or Behaviorist
- If scratching is excessive or stems from anxiety, consult a professional to address the root cause and explore behavioral solutions. The human can always find ways to accomodate a cat’s behaviour and ‘improve it’ from the caregiver’s point of view.
Why Choose Alternatives?
Declawing involves amputating part of the cat’s toes, which can lead to pain, behavioral issues, and mobility problems. Humane alternatives preserve the cat’s natural behaviors and well-being while protecting your home.
It will be patently obvious that I literally HATE declawing. I hate it because it is unnecessary and cruel. It is legalised animal abuse. It is contrary to all that is desired in cat caregiving. It is an abdication of the responsibilities of a cat owner. It is morally wrong. A cat’s welfare is the prime objective of a cat owner. If they start their relationship with a newly adopted kitten by putting that vulnerable creature through the mangle of declawing they have torn up that primary obective at the get go. 😱😢😒
