Declawing Cats: Making a Humane Decision
Copyright
© and reproduced courtesy of the Massachusetts
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and
the American Humane Education Society. For more information,
contact Beth Shapiro, MSPCA/AHES Publications Department,
350 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130; (617) 541-5107
BEFORE HAVING
YOUR PET DECLAWED, READ THIS ARTICLE TOO: Above
all, don't declaw .
Why
Are Claws Important to a Cat?
A cat's
remarkable grace, agility, and sense of balance are
in part due to its retractable claws, which allow it
to establish footing for walking, running, springing,
climbing or stretching. A cat's claws are also its best
defense mechanism.
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Why
Do Cats Scratch?
The outer
part of a cat's claws regularly becomes frayed. When
the cat scratches, it pulls off this outer part and
exposes sharp, smooth claws. Scratching is also a way
of fulfilling a cat's strong instinctive need to mark
its territory. Not only do cats mark objects visibly
by scratching them, but the scratching deposits secretions
from glands in the feet that can be smelled by other
cats. Scratching can also provide valuable stretching
and foot exercise.
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What
Is Declawing?
The standard
declawing procedure calls for the removal of the claw
and the first bone of the toe. The operation is usually
performed on the front feet, and is actually an amputation
comparable to the removal of human fingertips at the
first knuckle. The cat experiences pain in the recovery
and healing process.
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What
Risks Are Associated With Declawing?
Medical
Risks: . An incorrectly positioned cut during declawing
surgery can remove too much of the toe, taking with
it part or all of the toe's pad. But if the whole claw
is not removed, misshapen claws can grow back. In addition,
if a bone fragment is left at the surgery site, it may
become a source of infection. Both claw regrowth and
infection necessitate additional surgery. Post surgical
blood loss is another concern, but great care must be
taken that bandages wrapped tightly to control bleeding
do not cut off circulation.
Safety Risks:
A declawed cat must never be allowed outdoors; its ability
to defend itself or escape from danger has been seriously
impaired.
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What
Are the Alternatives to Declawing?
Introduce
a scratching post. Buy or make a scratching post that's
tall enough so the cat can stretch completely when scratching,
and stable enough so it won't wobble when being used.
It should be covered with a heavy, rough fiber like
the back side of carpeting. Make the post a fun place
to be by placing toys on or around it, or by rubbing
it with catnip, and put it in an accessible area. If
you're trying to discourage the cat from scratching
a particular piece of furniture, try placing the post
in front of it, gradually moving the post aside as the
cat begins to use it regularly..
Train with a
dual approach: encourage the cat to claw the right things,
discourage him from clawing the wrong things. Each time
you bring the cat to the scratching post or he goes
on his own, praise him, pet him, and spend a minute
playing at the post. If the cat begins to scratch where
he isn't supposed to, call him by name, firmly telling
him "no", and move him to the scratching post. Put his
front legs up on the post and make scratching motions
with them. Or keep a spray bottle filled with plain
water handy and squirt him on the back when he claws
the furnishings. The favorite household scratching area
can be made less attractive by attaching tape that is
sticky on both sides or a piece of cotton scented with
bath oil to the area.
Keep the cat's
nails trimmed. Cutting the nails regularly may help
keep a cat from scratching furnishings, or at least
reduce the damage done by his scratching. Get your kitten
used to having his feet handled and his nails clipped
while he's young. With an older cat, it may help to
begin by handling the cat's feet under pleasurable circumstances.
Then introduce the clipping procedure by approaching
the cat while he's relaxed - or even napping- and clip
only one nail per session. Praise your cat while you
clip the nail, and reward him with a treat.
If you're in
doubt about what the proper nail length looks like,
watch your veterinarian trim the nails. The only equipment
necessary is a good pair of nail clippers. Never use
scissors, since they can tear the nail..
Slide the blade
onto the nail you will be trimming. Before cutting,
look for the pink "quick" that runs down the center
of the nail. The clipper blade should be about 1/8"
forward of the quick, and the nail clipped with one
smooth squeezing action of the clippers..
Be extremely
careful not to cut into the quick. If this happens,
the cat will experience pain, and bleeding is likely.
The bleeding may stop without assistance, or you may
need to hold a soft cloth on the nail or apply a little
styptic powder. If you trim a small amount of nail every
couple of weeks, the quick will tend to recede.
Please note:
The information provided here is meant to supplement
that provided by your veterinarian. Nothing can replace
a complete history and physical examination performed
by your veterinarian. - Dr. Jeff
I greatly value your feedback. Please let me know what
you think of this site and what you would like to see
on it. drjeff@homevet.com
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