Should You Declaw Your Cat?

Declawing isn’t recommended. Try a simple cat scratching post instead

There are many cat owners who are driven to distraction by their cat clawing the furniture. Whilst a cat claws naturally, and instinctively, some people still expect to be able to train their cat to stop clawing.

Once they realise that they are on a loser trying to stop their from clawing the furniture they turn to other solutions. Despite the fact that there are simple and effective solutions, for example purchasing a cat scratching post, some consider declawing their cat. Lets look at de clawing cats.

De clawing your cat is a surgical procedure where the claws are removed. As the claws are a part of the bone in the foot it is necessary to amputate a small part of your cat’s toes. It is not easy surgery and your cat will have a painful time recovering.

Of course it works to stop your cat clawing the furniture. How can he claw with no claws. However it comes at quite a price. While your cat is recovering from what is quite serious surgery he will be walking around on paws that are extremely painful. Whilst you or I would stay in bed to recover from serious surgery your cat will not be able to do this, and will suffer the price.

As well as this a cat’s claws are important to many things, including his ability to climb, stretch and jump.

There are also various risks to declawing including the possibility that if it is not done correctly the claws can grow back and are often missshapen.

Declawing is illegal in some countries for good reason. There are also other reasons why it should be avoided.

The sad fact is that usually for little more than $20 and some effort on the part of the cat owner it is perfectly possible to buy an effective cat scratching post and to train your cat to use it. This involves far less stress for the cat and less cost and stress for the owner.

Whilst it is unlikely to be straightforward it is also perfectly possible to train your cat to use a cat scratching post effectively. You are always better to start training your cat as young as possible, however it is not impossible to train older cats to use a scratching pole.

Never consider de clawing your cat. It is expensive, it is stressful for you and the cat and it is extremely painful for the cat. It can lead to more serious consequences later in the life of the cat.

Invest in a simple cat scratching post, learn some more about training your cat to use it and chances are you’re scratching problems will be over.

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Tagged with: cat scratching • cat scratching pole • cat scratching post • cat scratching the furniture • declawing • declawing a cat

Filed under: Stop Cats Scratching

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