My cat is ruining my furniture
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
The number one reason people declaw their cats is for human needs, not the well-being of the cat (with the exception of a medical need for the cat). Many people believe this procedure is a simple “quick fix” solution to protect themselves and furniture, but for the cat this is a painful and debilitating surgery with the potential for a variety of negative ramifications.
Declawing can make a cat less likely to use the litter box due to pain and discomfort and more likely to bite as their main defensive tools have been taken away.
People who are worried about being scratched, especially those with immune-deficiencies or bleeding disorders, may be at less risk from scratches and more risk from bites.
Drawbacks to declawing cats include pain in the paw, infection, tissue death, lameness and more. By removing claws you can change the way your cat’s foot meets the ground causing pain similar to wearing ill-fitting shoes 24-7.
Many countries have banned declawing believing it to be inhumane and unnecessary as there other options to help control scratching.
Here are some ideas to try if you are worried about your cat damaging your home, or want to avoid unwanted scratching:
• Keep claws trimmed to minimize damage to belongings.
• Provide stable scratching posts and boards around your home. Offer different materials like carpet, sisal, wood, and cardboard, as well as different styles (vertical and horizontal). Use toys and catnip to entice your cat to use the posts and boards. Watch what surface your cat likes to scratch on and provide them with an acceptable option in that material/substrate – they may not like your first idea so giving them choices may work best.
• Ask your veterinarian about soft plastic caps (like Soft Paws®) that are glued to the cat’s nails. They need to be replaced about every six weeks and should not be used on cats outdoors as they will have no self-protection tools.
• Attach a special tape (like Sticky Paws®) to furniture to deter your cat from unwanted scratching.
These kinder alternatives to declawing allow you and your cat to live harmoniously.
