Declawing your cat is a subject that is debated widely amongst the cat community. Many people feel that it is inhumane and that it can lead to behavior problems. More and more veterinarians are now educating cat owners that declawing your cat should only be done if nothing else works. With this in mind here are some alternatives to declawing your cat.
One possible alternative is to buy a declawed cat from the humane society. The operation has already been performed, so your cat has already been through the trauma. The only catch is that often times, the reason why a declawed cat is given to the humane society is because of the common behavior problem of biting.
When your cat's claws are removed, they will often bite to compensate for not having them. Nature gave your cat claws for hunting, climbing and self-defense. Biting is a behavior problem that can often be overcome but it takes time and understanding. Unfortunately, many owners will give up on their cats instead of working patiently with them.
If you have a cat that is scratching the furniture instead of using his scratching post, consider that it might be the type of material that is causing this. Try and match the material on the furniture with that on the scratching post. You may have to try a few different types of scratching posts before you find one that works for your cat.
Finding a suitable scratching post will likely involve a material that is firm enough to remove the outer sheath of your cat's claws. The removal of this outer sheath is what allows a cat's claws to be sharpened, which is the main reason they are prone to scratching. A scratching post with a strong rope like material is a good place to start when providing your cat with a good scratching alternative.
Another alternative is to trim your cat's claws often. The general rule of thumb is about every two weeks, but it will depend on the individual cat. Trimming your cat's claws is generally a simple procedure but sometimes cats will not allow it. Often times this is the point where owners give up and have their cats declawed.
Many times it is the clipping tool that cats do not like. They will bolt out of the room at the first site of it. Often it's the sound that the tool makes when it clips. Your cat squirms and runs away after the first clip, and from then on will not let you get near them with the clipping tool.
If your cat refuses to have his claws trimmed and is destroying the house, consider having his claws covered with adhesive tips. A company called soft paws is a leader in providing this humane alternative to declawing. It is also a cheaper solution than declawing and costs less than 20.00 for a 6-month supply.
In conclusion, more and more people are deciding that declawing their cat is not the best solution to preserving their furniture. If you are concerned, consider purchasing a declawed cat from the humane society. Provide your cat with a good scratching post that is sturdy and made of strong material. Trim your cat's claws often and think about using a claw covering solution. These are some excellent solutions to preserving your furniture and will likely work better than declawing your cat.
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