Alternatives to Declawing

Many people think that declawing is a quick fix solution to solve the problem of unwanted scratching. However, the practice of declawing is far more harmful than it is helpful. Many countries around the world, cities in the United States, and the state of New York have all banned the practice, declaring it inhumane. Furthermore, declawing can also cause lasting physical problems for your cat, as well as behavioral issues such as refusal to use the litter box and a tendency to bite.

Often, people believe that declawing is a simple procedure that removes a cat’s nails, as same as having your fingernails trimmed. However, this is far from the case. Traditionally, declawing involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe. If the equivalent procedure was performed on a human, it would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. Prominent animal welfare groups, such as the ASPCA, have condemned the practice unless medically necessary.
Aside from being extremely painful for the cat, there are additional negative effects from declawing. It can cause infection, tissue death, lameness, and back pain. There can also be a regrowth of improperly removed calls, nerve damage, and bone spurs. Litter can irritate declawed feet, increasing the chances of cats refusing to use the litter box. Some cats may begin biting because they no longer have their claws for defense.

​There are several steps you can take to prevent damage to your furniture and to avoid unwanted scratching. First, keep your cat’s claws trimmed to minimize damage to items in your house. Second, provide scratching posts and boards for your cat to use around your home. Offer different materials as well as different styles, and use catnip to tempt your cat to use the posts and boards. You can also use a special tape on furniture to deter your cat from unwanted scratching. By adhering to these simple solutions, you can successfully mitigate scratching while keeping your cat happy and healthy.