| declawing a cat, they will never be able to fully | | | | of the other options available. The primary |
| stretch out their body. Some Vets feel that feline | | | | problem we have with people who are so |
| declawing is an ethically controversial procedure; | | | | opposed to declawing is that their opinions are |
| however, there is no scientific evidence that | | | | often based on secondhand information. They |
| declawing leads to behavioral abnormalities. There | | | | have never seen a cat that has been declawed. |
| is scientific data that shows that cats who have | | | | The reason most people opt for declawing their |
| undesired claw behavior are more likely to be | | | | cats is that they want to protect their furniture if |
| abandoned, thereby contributing to the homeless | | | | the cat never learns that it can have someplace |
| cat population. The standard declawing procedure | | | | else to scratch, such as a sturdy scratching post |
| calls for the removal of the claw and the first | | | | or scratch pad. The issue of declawing is a hot |
| bone of the toe. The operation is usually | | | | topic in pet lover and vet circles. It is a surgery |
| performed on the front feet, and is actually an | | | | that is banned in some countries. Declawing (more |
| amputation comparable to the removal of human | | | | accurately described as |
| fingertips at the first knuckle. | | | | “de-toeing”), is the amputation of |
| A lot of humans who care about cats know that | | | | each front toe at the first joint. Take note that |
| declawing is wrong. They will tell you about how | | | | the cat is sedated during the operation. |
| cruel and painful the operation is and all the | | | | Many of the countries leading veterinary |
| problems that declawing can cause. Declawing is | | | | behaviorists agree that declawing should not even |
| an irreversible surgical procedure performed by a | | | | be considered until all other options, including |
| veterinarian, while the cat is under general | | | | training, have been tried and failed. Soft, carpeted |
| anesthesia. Your cat may be hospitalized for one | | | | scratching posts usually don't work because cats |
| to two days. Trying to keep a destructive cat | | | | often don't like them. Sisal post offer a texture |
| from harming others, or perhaps the damage that | | | | that cats seems to enjoy. If you use carpet, |
| the cat is doing to the furniture may lead to the | | | | secure it to the posts with the rough backing on |
| motivation to have your vet perform this | | | | the outside. It seems that the soft carpeting will |
| procedure. | | | | not satisfy a cat's need to claw. At issue here is |
| Contrary to some opinions, declawing is not likely | | | | whether the scratching is serious enough to |
| to drastically change the disposition of your | | | | warrant the operation because it is very costly |
| kitten’s behavior or personality. It | | | | and the owner might no longer be able to, or |
| doesn’t necessarily stop them from | | | | even want to keep the pet, and whether there |
| having other types of behavioral problems. | | | | are other equally practical alternatives. |
| However it can be a painful ordeal for your kitty | | | | NOTE: This article is for information only. See your |
| and we suggest that declawing only be the last | | | | veterinarian for medical advice. |
| step to be considered after being fully told of all | | | | |