Many people believe that they need to declaw their cat to solve scratching problems. What they may not realize is that declawing is harmful both in the short term and long term of your cat’s life, and it is illegal in some 25 countries.

In England declawing is termed "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation." In many European countries it is illegal. Declawing is an American policy that people do because they don’t want to take the time train their cat through behavior modification. But before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. During the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat will still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing.

A cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors.

What are other solutions for keeping your home (and arms) scratch free?

You can teach your cat to use a scratching post. You can also trim the front claws or employ aversion methods. A good solution is are vinyl nail caps that you glue on the cat's front claws. They're great for households with small children and are extremely useful for people who are away from home all day and can't exercise the watchfulness necessary to train a cat to use a scratching post. Keep in mind that the caps and nail trimming should only be used on indoor cats who will not be vulnerable to the dangers of the outdoors. Outdoor cats need their claws for defense!

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