Believe it or not, it is not done to ruin your furniture or tear down your drapes on purpose. It's is how they exercise to stay in shape. We go to the gym, go for a walk, run a few k's. Cats, they scratch! This annoying and destructive behaviour cats have works their back, shoulder, and leg muscles creating a good stretch to help maintain their lean physiques. For most cats anyways! Cats also scratch to mark their territory, this is called scenting. They have scent glands on the pads of their feet. By scratching on objects is how cats communicate with each other and is also used for defense.
About Declawing
Declawing, also known as onychectomy (onych-ectomy) in medical terminology, is a major elective surgery to prevent destruction to property or one's self. It is not just the removal of the nails from the cat, but it is the amputation of the last digit, or knuckle of the cats paw. The claw is so close to bone that the last bone has to be removed in order to make the surgery successful so that there is no regrowth of the nail. If all the nail is not removed from the bone, severe complications can arise which will lead to a second surgery to remove the remaining claw fragments. Other complications from the surgery can be be pain, radial nerve damage, hemorrhaging or severe bleeding, bone chips, and secondary infections leading to abscessing. Hemorrhaging is more severe in the mature cats that are declawed at an older age. The vessels are larger creating
more blood flow to the area. Mature cats, older than 1 year of age are more at risk than kittens that are done when they are spayed or neutered at 5 to 6 months of age. Shattering of the bone leads to possible bone fragments being left in the surgery area creating pain and damage to the underlying tissues. This requires a second surgery to remove those fragments and to clean out the infections that may be in that area as well. Abnormal re-growth of the nerves may cause chronic pain or a "pins and
needles" sensation.
Like spaying or neutering your cat, any surgery can have complications. Pain management is used by Veterinarians to help manage the post -operative discomfort that may be inflicted during surgery. No doubt, with great technique and pain control, recovery is quick and cats can return to normal routine in about 7-10 days. Most Vets in North America will only remove the front claws, or none at all. In fact, declawing is illegal in Europe and in England. Declawing is noted as "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation" in these countries.
Straight from the cat's paw
Let's talk about how a cat stands. Cats are digitigrade, meaning that they walk on their toes and not on the feet like most animals do. The feline body is designed to distribute the cats weight evenly along the toes to allow him/her to perform natural movements daily without causing injury. These structures help the cat balance while exercising and stretching. The way the toes are designed, allows the cat to stand at a 90 degree angle. Removing the last digit alters the stance, possibly creating back and alignment injuries like humans when we wear the wrong type of shoes.
The Alternatives:
Trimming Nails
The best advice is to start them off as a kitten. Play with their paws. Manipulate the toes and start trimming them at this stage of the cats life. REWARD good behaviour. Use a special treat that is only associated with trimming the nails. The best time to trim a cat's nails is while the cat is relaxed.
Tools Needed:
1. Nail Trimmers
2. Treats; very special treats
3. Styptic pencil or powder
How to trim the nails:
1. Have the cat resting on your lap, table, chair, etc.
2. Hold the paw and gently press the toes to extend the claws.
3. Note the pink tissue in the nail. This is called the quick. Avoid cutting too close to this. This may cause bleeding. If you happen to quick the nail, DO NOT PANIC. It will stop. Apply pressure to the nail for a few seconds with a tissue, apply some styptic.
4. Hold the clippers at a up and down position so you are cutting the nail from bottom top. This will prevent splitting and fraying of the nails. Remove the sharp tip. Repeat with other nails.
5. If the cat and/or you are getting frustrated, put everything down and go back to it later.
Nail Caps
Nail caps are applied to the tip of the nails.
Cats are still able to extract their claws, but are unable to make
damage to furniture and skin as they would without them. They are
held on to the nail with a adhesive. A Soft Paw application will last
4-6 weeks until the next application should be applied. Soft Paws
are available through your veterinarian. Go ahead, ask about it!
Scratch Posts
The ultimate scratching post is about 31.5 inches tall. This specific height allows the cat to fully stretch the back and shoulders. Stability is very important as well. If the post tumbles while the cat is on or using the post, he will become fearful of it and may never use it again. The fabric has to be strong to allow the cat to really dig into the fabric. Carpeting is a good fabric, as long as it does not loop that can get tangled in your cats claws. Place the post where your catch loves to scratch. If it is your couch at the moment, place the post there while making it appeasing to your cat to investigate it. Show your cat that he/she can scratch there by extending the claws and running it along the post. Use a cat repellent or make your in with diluted vinegar and spray the areas where he/she is not allowed to scratch. Please test the repellent on a small piece of fabric of the areas that your are repelling to make sure that no damage may occur. Cats also like height. The higher the stand, the better. Make sure there is a shelf that will support the cat’s weight so he/she can sleep on top and look at its surroundings.
Methods of Declawing
There are a few techniques that Veterinarians use to perform dewclaws. The techniques have grown from the traditional guillotine or scissor method to laser. When going through your options of neutering and/or Declawing, ask one of the staff at your veterinarian’s office about the methods they offer and post-operative care that your pet will be receiving.