When scratching becomes an issue, cat owners may consider declawing their pets. Cats can do serious damage to door frames or furniture by using them as scratching posts. Cats will often rip up and shred a favorite scratching post by using their claws. Declawing is done on only the front paws, as the rear paws are rarely a problem.

Like our fingernails, the front claws on cats are retractable and always grow. The cat scratches to remove the outer covering of the claw and reveal the new, sharper one. The scratching of wild cats is done on logs or trees, while domestic cats will scratch whatever they can reach. Cats scratch furniture and in some cases aggressively. Many people who own cats and even those with medical conditions worry about the potential for a scratch to cause serious problems.

Declawing is a serious procedure that will be performed under anesthesia on your cat. Declawing does not mean trimming your cat’s nail. To declaw a cat, you must remove the last joint on the cat’s foot. The nail bed grows out of the bone, so to ensure that the declawing is successful, the bone has to be removed. Laser surgery is used by some vets to perform the procedure. However, it will produce an identical result.

The paws need to be bandaged after surgery. Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or pain relievers for the incipient infection, as this can be a painful procedure. It can take up to several weeks for a cat to heal completely, but some will recover within three or four days.

Declawing, like most elective surgeries, is a controversial topic, especially when it comes to pets. There are studies that show contradictory findings. There are several issues that seem to occur after a cat is declawed.

The cat may also be more vulnerable to bites because its primary defense mechanism, its claws are missing. Cat bites are more dangerous than dog bites because they can become infected easily. After declawing, many cat owners have reported that their cats are more inclined to urinate and defecate in an inappropriate manner. It has been proven that cats can object to the texture in the litter box after the front claws are removed. Once the cat has been declawed it cannot be taken outside. It must remain in the house at all times. The cat will not be able to defend itself without claws. It may even be unable climb a branch to escape an attack from other animals.

In addition to these negative effects, persistent scratching on furniture or aggressively scratching people or other animals can lead the cat to be surrendered at a shelter. It’s estimated that one quarter of cats in the United States are declawed. Most owners are happy with the results of the surgery, but there are other ways to solve the scratching issue without declawing.

Cat owners who are against declawing their cats can find a way to work around the issue to some extent. Around 2 months of age, kittens begin to feel the urge scratch. This is a good time to teach the kitten how to use the scratching post. A rough surface will encourage the kitten’s scratching instinct. Sisal-covered posts or perhaps a log neighborhood will be appealing to kittens. If you are willing to take the time to work with your cat, even adult cats can be trained to use posts. Vinyl caps can be used to cover the front claws of the cat, preventing them from harming or damaging other people’s furniture. These caps need to be replaced every month. They are glued on the claws. Some cat owners find that trimming their own nails can reduce the need to scratch. This procedure can be difficult for your cat, so it is best to start when the kitten is still young.

Tendonectomy is a surgical option to declawing and it should be the last choice. The tendons controlling the flexing are cut during this procedure. The owners must trim the claws to prevent them from growing into the pads of the toes. This is not recommended for our cats.

Declawing your cat is not something that you should do lightly. In most cases it’s better to avoid. There are alternatives to the painful procedure, and you can enjoy your cat for many years if you take the time to train it.