The day has come to pick up your new kitten. You're really excited and you've made a list of things to buy for him. You've also added your vet to the list. You are worried about your kitten clawing up your furniture so you've decided to get him declawed at the same time you get him neutered.
You've heard in the media that declawing may not be allowed anymore, so now you're asking yourself, why is it cruel to declaw a cat?
Most veterinarians don't tell you the risks and psychological damage done to a declawed cat. Maybe they just don't realize it, but it's your cat and you must make the best decision for him. When a cat is declawed, not only is his claws completely removed, but all his toes are amputated up to the first joint. All vets know this because they are doing the surgery, but most will not tell their clients about the procedure.
If they tell you otherwise, they are not being truthful with you. It's like us getting our fingers or toes amputated to the first joint. Think about what you do with your fingers and toes. Now ask yourself, why is it cruel to declaw a cat?
The kitty experiences pain after being declawed and some cats even walk on the back of their feet. Nature intended for cats to have claws because they need them for survival, balance and speed. There are things you can do to keep your cat from shredding your furniture. By offering him a scratching post, cat tree or condo, he will go to it.
If he is an older cat, you may need to train him. Just be patient and give him time. Cats tend to go to the ends of the couch or chair to do their scratching and some cats like to scratch on wood. It is expensive buying scratching posts, condos and cat trees, but you can make your own very cheap. Your own is made better than the ones at the pet stores.
You can get most of the materials for free. Go to BestCatTrees and check out all the different designs. It's a step by step E-book with illustrations and it is very easy to read. You can make scratching posts, condos and cat trees.
If you don't want to make your own and can't afford to buy one, you can go to the carpet store. They dump really good carpet in the back of their store. Roll it up and put it in the corner of the wall. Your cat will love it just as much. You can also get the small carpeted floor mats which make ideal scratching posts for the ends of the couch and chair.
Get some cardboard and roll it and place it in between the carpeted mats and wrap a piece of tape around it. My cats have never bothered the tape.....Please let your kitty keep his claws and get him a few scratching posts.
You can clip his nails easily by starting when he is a kitten, that way he is used to it. It takes a little practice, but you will be a pro in no time. Be sure not to trim them to short or he will bleed. If that happens, use a little baby powder. PetSmart carries a product for that purpose.
Declawing your cat is cruel to him and he will pay the price for the rest of his life.
