Pets & Animal Pets Cats

Protecting Your Furniture From Your Cat"s Claws

Most cat owners are tired of their scratched furnishings and carpets.
Before they decide to declaw your pet, there are some things that may be useful.
Some people believe that declawing is not serious and painful procedure.
They believe their cat will quickly recover and their furniture will be saved.
But it's not as simple as that.
The truth is cold and hard.
Actually, declawing is illegal in many countries around the world and there are a lot of reasons about that.
Cat claws are not like human nails, not matter that this is a very popular belief.
Claws are adhered to the bone and declawing includes the removal of the last bone.
This is actually amputation of the last joint of the toe.
Well, this doesn't sound like a simple procedure, does it? This is quite a painful surgery and a long recovery period.
Don't forget that the cat will have to use the feet to walk and to scratch in the litter box.
This is an instinct and the cat will do it no matter how painful it will be.
Declawing is also a psychological problem - the cat won't be able to defend because the claws, which are the main protection of the animal, are removed.
You probably wonder why the cat needs to defend herself when she lives indoor and doesn't have to worry about anything.
Instincts don't disappear when the cat lives indoor.
Declawing will make the cat fearful, she will start hissing and hiding when she sees unfamiliar people.
In many cases, declawed cats stop using their litter boxes because after the procedure digging in the box is very painful.
Then how can cat owners save their cat furniture and carpets? Here are some helpful ideas you may use: • Scratching posts - they are durable, have good scratching surface and can be treated with catnip to attract your cat.
Your pet can use it to sharpen her claws without destroying your furniture.
• Claw caps - these are soft plastic caps that are glued to the claws of the cat.
The pet will be comfortable with them and they won't interfere with the natural behavior of the animal.
Claw caps are available in different sizes.
• Cat Claw Scissors - if you clip the claws of your cat regularly they won't get too sharp and long.
Don't use this idea for cats that live outdoor.
The scissors are available in different sizes and styles.
In case these ideas don't help you for the protection of your furniture, consult your vet what other alternatives are available.
Your cat will be really grateful if you don't declaw her.
Thinking of other cat furniture, cat trees is also a great solution, having in mind that most of them are a combination of more than one element - form scratching post to gym.


Leave a reply