What is Declawing?
According to the American Association of Feline Practioners (AAFP), declawing is defined as: “(A)n elective and ethically controversial procedure, which is NOT medically necessary for cats in most instances. Declawing entails the amputation of a cat’s third phalanx [P3], or third ‘toe bone.’ Unlike human nails, cats’ claws are attached to the last bone in their toes. A comparison in human terms would be cutting off a person’s finger at the last joint of each finger.”
Potential Long-Term Effects of Declawing
As a major surgery, declawing comes with many potential surgical and long-term complications.
In addition to the pain and confusion caused by the sudden loss of an important part of the cat’s body, cats who have been declawed often appear in animal shelters due to behavioral problems ranging from biting to inappropriate elimination, or urinating or defecating outside of the litter box.
According to the AAFP, these risks increase with age and could include lameness, chronic neuropathic pain, and arthritis. (1)
Alternatives to Declawing
Thankfully, there are many alternatives to declawing your cat. See below for a step-by-step guide to stopping unwanted scratching behavior in cats.
Step 1: Purchase several different types of scratching posts, like this one or this one. Place these scratching posts in areas where you want to deter scratching like the living room near the couch. It may help to spray some catnip spray on these scratchers to encourage engagement.
Step 2: Get your cat used to having their paws touched. Do this from an early age. This will allow you to follow step 3, which is…
Step 3: Clip your cat’s nails every 2-3 weeks. A good rule of thumb is to cut your cat’s nails whenever you clip your own. Get a suitable cat-specific nail clipper like this one for the job. If you have a disability and cannot clip the cat’s nails yourself, try to enlist friends or family members to assist you in the process. If this is not available, Petco and Petsmart locations, as well as your personal vet, offer low-cost nail clipping services.
Step 4: If Fluffy is still going to town on your couch, try covering the main scratching areas with blankets – if she cannot see the scratching target, she is less likely to attempt to mark it.
Step 5: Invest in cat nail caps such as these. These are plastic caps that are placed over the cat’s nails so that she cannot scratch. They have to be replaced every few weeks as the cat’s nails grow, but they do work as a last resort.
Do not hesitate to contact Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society at (513)732-8854 or wecare@ClermontAnimalCARE.org if you are in need of guidance on keeping your cat in your home.