Declawing:
Do You Really Understand
What This Means?
Enya
Declawing:
What is it, and what are the Consquences?
Before you do this, please read these links. Educate yourself and help educate others. Understand what this procedure entails and why it is now illegal in Great Britain and many other European countries.
There is absolutely no health benefit to the cat from having this done. This is a cosmetic, skeletal alteration of the cat done solely for the convenience of its owner.
A PICTURE'S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
These photos were taken by a vet tech during an actual declaw procedure.
Declawing! What You Need To Know - A detailed description of what this procedure is. If you are considering doing this, you owe it to your cat to understand exactly what will be done to him.
The Facts About Declawing - from Max's House. Read the section on Psychological & Behavioral problems
You Can't Declaw With Love - By Paul Rowen, D. V M.
Declaw: A Discussion - A very well thought out article that discusses the moral obligation we have as Guardians of a life.
Declawing: An Extreme Solution - From the American Veterinarians for Animal Rights
Countries That Ban Declawing - 20 Countries have already made this procedure illegal or consider it unethical
Clawed For Life - Seventy percent (70%) of cats turned into pounds and shelters for behavioral problems are declawed cats. Twenty-five percent (25%) of cats turned into pounds and shelters are purebred
Declawing: A Veterinarian's Point of View - by Dr. Christianne Schelling, DVM. Site includes a list of countries where declawing is illegal or considered inhumane and not done.
What You Need to Know about Declawing - From the Wisconsin Cat Club
CFA Health Committee Declawing of Cats - The Cat Fancier's Association Statement of Guidance - The official stance of the American Cat Fancier's Association
Declawing: A Policy Statement on Cosmetic Alteration - From the Humane Society of the United States
Declawing: More Than Just a Manicure - From the Humane Society of the United States
Amby's Declaw Page - An exceptional site. Do you know someone who needs to be convinced that this is not a good idea? Read this page!
The Declaw Information Site
Some links to help you find alternatives to having this procedure done on your cat.
Soft Paws: An Alternative to Declawing - Plastic nail caps attached to the claws prevent scratching
Sticky Paws! - Double sided clear tape to discourage furniture sratching (cats don't like the sticky texture on their paws!). Excellent FAQ's and on-line ordering
Tips on Preventing Furniture Damage & Scratching
How to Stop You Cat From Scratching on Furniture - Excellent article by veterinarian Dr. Christianne Schelling
Tips on Preventing Biting & Scratching
Training Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post
Biting & Scratching - From the ASPCA
Teaching Your Cat Not To Bite or Scratch - From Little Shelter
Tooth & Nail - More tips on overcoming Biting & Scratching.
Biting & Scratching - Understanding this behavior and ways to correct it
Making a Furniture Friendly Cat - From Little Shelter
Tip: Clear contact paper can be wrapped around furniture corners and secured with tape or upholstery screws. Leave in place until the cats have learned to avoid the furniture, then remove.
Step by Step Instructions on Clipping Those Claws
Trimming Your Cat's Claws - A step by step guide on how to trim your cat's claws.
Clipping Those Claws - With step by step photos. Excellent information from the Washington State Veterinary School
How To Trim Your Cat's Claws - from the Humane Society of the United States
How Can Feliway Help?
Cats also scratch to mark their territory. There are scent glands in the paw pads. Thats why even declawed cats continue to scratch. A product called Feliway mimics this scent and reassures the cat that it's already marked the area as his. It "tricks" the cat into thinking it has already marked the area - so there's no need to do it again! Here are some links that will explain this further:
What Is Feliway - And how does it work?
Directions for Using Feliway
Feliway: A New Method to Discourage Spraying - A new product available from your vet. We've used it, and it really does seem to work. It lowers their anxiety level. I also spray some on a washcloth and put it inside the cat carrier when we go to the vet. It's available from this link or through your vet (about $34/bottle), but it's cheaper from Valley Vet Supply ($20/bottle)at 1-800-360-4838.
Feliway - Dr. Mike Richards, DVM
Feliway FAQ's - Good article from Catfaeries On Line
Feliway
Lisaviolet's Comments on Feliway
The Importance of a Good Scratching Post:
Scratching posts are a MUST to avoid furniture destruction. The puny 3 foot tall trees at most pet stores do little. They are easily toppled over, don't bear the full weight of the cat and aren't tall enough to allow them to fully stretch upwards to scratch. A sturdy 5 foot tree with perches is ideal. We've found that the combination of sisal rope and carpet work better than all carpeted trees. Rub catnip on the sisal and stand the cat up on it's hind legs working his paws against the sisal to give him the idea. If the taller trees are unavailable at your local pet store, they can be ordered on-line at the websites below and assembled in your home.
If your cat is a vertical scratcher (scratching carpet and vertical surfaces) consider using a turboscratcher, sisal mats or carpet samples. Some cats prefer soft wood. Tree stumps and raw cedar boards can provide alternatives to scratching posts.
Cat Trees from Drs. Foster & Smith - We love these. The tower is great.
Angelicalcat Cat Trees - Great on-line resource for some terrific cat trees!
Pendleton Cat Furniture
Me-Ow-Trageous Cat Furniture - as featured in Cats Magazine. The Rolls Royce of Cat Trees!
Noofies Most Excellent Cat Tree Page - A great page full of links to more cat tree manufacturers and build it yourself cat tree plans.
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