Find Alternatives to De Clawing Your Cat

While declawing your cat can seem like a quick and simple way to solve many of the problems that comes with cats, such as destruction of property or harm to humans or other pets, it can also be seen as unnecessary or even inhumane. There are other alternatives for getting your cat’s scratching habits under control. If your feline is scratching up your furniture, look to other options besides declawing to get your cat to stop their pesky scratching without having to declaw them. You will both be happier for it!

Keeping Your Cat From Scratching

 * 1) Get your cat a scratching post. Position it next to the area that the cat is scratching the furniture. Try adding some catnip on the post for an extra sensory experience. Scratching posts are also great for keeping your cat’s nails filed down naturally, which is an effective method of preventing painful scratches. [[Image:Find Alternatives to De Clawing Your Cat Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) * If your cat is very young, get it a scratching post or board right away. Teaching the kitten that it should only scratch in allowed areas is important in order to discourage bad behavior in the future. Try rewarding the cat or kitten for scratching where it is allowed.
 * 3) Cover furniture with unappealing items. Add a rug or some other item that can protect the surface of the furniture. For example, cats don't like their paws touching things like double-sided tape, foil, sandpaper, and even plastic runners on your carpet. Identify the things your cat tends to stay away from, and place these items over the ones you don't want your cat to scratch. [[Image:Find Alternatives to De Clawing Your Cat Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 4) Use a citrus spray on the furniture. Cats tend to dislike the smell of citrus. Try using a citrus essential oil to keep them off the furniture. Mix a few drops of oil in a spray bottle of water. Shake it up and spray lightly on the areas you want to keep your cat clear of.
 * 5) * You can also try wetting a few cotton balls with the mixture and placing them around objects you want your cat to leave alone. The scent of menthol works, as well.
 * 6) Block access to some rooms. Perhaps consider keeping the lounge room sacrosanct and cat-free. If there are certain rooms your cat seems to scratch up the most, just keep your cat out of these areas. Keep doors closed, and keep the cat contained to certain areas.[[Image:Find Alternatives to De Clawing Your Cat Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 7) * Try giving the cat its own special spot, or perch. Maybe there is a certain window the cat likes to look out—provide the cat with a perch or pillow to sit on. If the cat feels happy in one spot in the house, it might be less likely to get bored and explore for new things to destroy.
 * 8) Provide the cat with toys and entertainment. Climbing posts, cat grass, and toys are all great ways to keep your cat entertained and busy. If your cat stays engaged, it’s less likely that your cat will entertain itself with scratching up furniture. Go to your local pet supply store and ask an associate for help picking out some new items. [[Image:Find Alternatives to De Clawing Your Cat Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 9) * Playing with your cat will use up some of its energy. If your cat looks like it wants to enjoy a good clawing session, direct it gently to one of your permitted clawing zones and items.
 * 10) Buy plastic nail caps. Your vet can help you glue these safe, effective caps onto your cat’s nails. They last for about six weeks before needing to be replaced, and are available from vets, or some pet shops. Also, a quick internet search will likely yield a great deal of online shops to buy them from. If you feel comfortable applying the caps yourself, you can, or simply see your vet. [[Image:Find Alternatives to De Clawing Your Cat Step 8.jpg|center]]

Understanding Why Declawing Should Be Avoided

 * 1) Understand that declawing is not a simple procedure. Declawing isn’t as safe and easy as having your cat’s nails trimmed. It is an actual surgical procedure that involves using a scalpel, laser, or strong clipper to remove the bone on the end of each toe. Imagine having your fingers cut off at your first knuckle—this is what declawing is comparable to.
 * 2) Understand that there are very few reasons for declawing a cat. Since declawing isn’t medically necessary for cats, there really aren’t many real reasons or scenarios that would call for a cat to be declawed. If, for example, the cat is especially prone to scratching and lives with a person dealing with a compromised immune system, then maybe declawing could be an option, to protect the health of the people in the household. Otherwise, cats really do not need to be declawed.
 * 3) Talk to your vet. Your vet will likely tell you that declawing is an unnecessary and potentially harmful procedure. Like any other major surgery, declawing comes with possible negative side effects and consequences. Recently declawed feet could potentially lead to infection, pain, and trouble walking.

Tips

 * Never declaw a cat that will be let outdoors. Cats need their claws in the wild to protect themselves from other animals and to catch food.

Related wikiHows

 * Stop a Cat from Clawing Furniture
 * Keep Cats from Chewing on Electric Cords and Chargers
 * Prevent Cats From Using a Garden As a Litter Box
 * Eliminate Bad Habits in Cats
 * Care for Your Cat

Sources and Citations
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