Many cat owners, have no idea what declawing means to their animals.
Declawing means far more than leaving your pet defenseless against an attack
outdoors.
It means you, as a cat owner, have renounced the responsibility you
assumed when you fell in love with that kitten or cat.
How important are a cat's claws?
Dr. Louis J. Camuti, a practicing veterinarian for 58 years, puts it
this way:
"I wouldn't declaw a cat if you paid me $1,000 per nail!"
Have you often wondered at a cat's remarkable grace and agility, its
faultless sense of balance? To a great extent, this is due to its ingeniously designed retractable
claws that allow it to establish footing for walking, running,
springing, climbing or stretching.
What happens to a cat when it is declawed?
First, it awakens from anesthesia, with its feet throbbing under the
bandages; next, it has pain and then it finds it has trouble walking.
The physical effect of declawing is gradual weakening of the muscles
of the legs, shoulders and back. Balance is impaired. Emotionally cats
feel defenseless and thus live in a constant state of stress, making
them more prone to disease.
Despite its grace, a cat is not sure-footed. Without the lightning
quick ability to grasp with its claws, it can easily be injured in a
fall.
Deprived of its claws, a cat may turn to its only other form of
defense -- its teeth. It is fairly common for a declawed cat to become a
biter. They do this out of fear and frustration.
Why do people make their animals suffer the physical pain and emotional
disorientation of declawing?
"To protect the furniture," is the most common reason.
"To keep my cat from scratching us when we try to play with
him," is another.
Scratching is a normal characteristic of a healthy cat. It exercises
the foot muscles and removes dead tissue from the nails. It also has a
soothing, comforting effect that creates a tranquil disposition.
WHAT CAN YOU AS A PET OWNER DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FURNITURE
WITHOUT HARMING YOUR CAT?
Give your cat a manicure.
It's best to start when it's a kitten. Take your pet to a professional
groomer, or you can do it yourself. Use a pair of clippers made
especially for cats. There are generally instructions packaged with the
instrument on how and where to trim the nails so as to avoid cutting
into the quick (pink area) inside the nails.
Provide your cat with his own furniture.
Your cat should be fluffy -- the scratching post should be rough and
coarse. Buy a sisal (a harsh, scratchy hemp product) scratching post or
make your own inexpensively. Just nail a piece of 2 x 4 board to an
inch-thick square base and cover both pieces with a carpet remnant
(tightly woven pile is best). You can even use a tree branch or a board
angled against a wall and secured so it won't fall over.
Train your cat.
When a kitten starts to scratch furniture, gently pull it off and
place its front paws on the scratching post. Keep the post in an easily
accessible place so the cat becomes accustomed to using it.
If an older cat persists in scratching furniture, give it a squirt of
luke-warm water from a child's water gun. Spray it any place but in the
face. At the same time, say a sharp (not loud) "No".
Then take
it back to its scratching post.
Shake a small amount of pleasantly scented bath oil on a piece of
cotton. Attach the cotton to the part of the furniture that the cat
scratches. It will repel the cat as long as the aroma remains.
Your cat gives you love and loyalty. It's the most it can give.
You
owe it the same love and loyalty. But you owe it one thing more --
to
leave its paws with claws.
