Bringing a new cat into your home is a great adventure. The years of love and companionship a cat provides is well worth the time and energy required to keep him or her happy and healthy. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, but if you think declawing is the solution, here are some facts you should know.
Facts About Declawing
- Declawing requires the amputation (ouch!) of the last joint of the cat's “toes.” It is painful and both health and behavioral complications can occur as a result of the procedure.
- Declawing is primarily an American thing. In most countries, the practice is considered inhumane.
- Declawing removes your cat's first line of defense. If your cat should find itself outdoors and in trouble, without claws, it cannot even climb a tree much less protect itself against another animal.
Better Solutions
Don't punish the behavior if your cat scratches where it shouldn't. Punishment won't work and will just be stressful for you both. So, what are your options when it comes to keeping Fluffy from shredding your new sofa?
- Provide your cat with an appropriate scratching surface. A sisal / carpet post, the back of a carpet remnant or a cardboard scratch box are the best bets. Make sure posts are sturdy and tall enough for your cat to stretch all the way up. Other items should be fixed to stay in place for maximum effectiveness.
- Encourage your cat to use these items by rubbing dried catnip into it or feed and play with your cat by the post. Reward your cat when he scratches in an appropriate area.
- Cats like to scratch when they wake, so place a post near where they sleep.
- The younger you start training your cat to scratch appropriately, the better. Don't worry if you adopt an older cat, though. You'll likely just need to point him or her in right direction.
Don't Give Up
If posts and other items don't work, consider Soft Paws®. These are lightweight vinyl caps that fit over your cat's claws and last 4 – 6 weeks. Note that these are for indoor cats only! If your cat still persists in scratching your furniture, try lightly squirting her with a spray bottle. Double stick tape is also a great deterrent as cats dislike the texture. Various sprays are available for purchase and might also be useful. Trimming your cat's nails will help. Start trimming in kittenhood and stick to a routine. This can be tricky and you don't want to cut too deep, so if in doubt, have your vet perform this service for you.
Be patient and give kitty a chance to get it right. No one needs to lose a toe!
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