Cats are awesome. They're cute, they're cuddly, and they make great companions. But there's one thing about cats that many people don't realize: declawing them is cruel and hurts.
The reasons why people declaw a cat are usually selfish. Because they want to "keep their furniture from being scratched," to keep themselves from being scratched, and for other reasons, some cities have banned it because it is considered inhumane.
Declawing is a surgical procedure in which the last joint of each toe is amputated. It's a painful and traumatic experience for cats, and it can lead to long-term problems such as chronic pain, lameness, and behavioral issues. In addition to being cruel, declawing is also unnecessary. So before you consider declawing your cat, please consider the long-term consequences of this brutal procedure. There are plenty of other ways to keep your cat's nails trimmed and controlled.
Declawing Your Cat is Like Cutting Off Your Fingers
Some people think that declawing a cat is like trimming their nails. But it's not. It's a major surgery that involves cutting through bone, tendons, and nerves. Declawing consists in cutting off the last joint of each toe. This method excruciates the cat and can lead to long-term health problems, such as nerve damage, infection, and lameness. It's painful, and it takes a long time to heal. Nerve damage makes it difficult for your cat to walk properly and use litter boxes. Some people have reported that declawed cats refuse to use the litter box and begin to soil the house.
Why Cats Like To Scratch
Cats scratch furniture for many reasons: to mark their territory, to stretch their muscles, to remove the dead outer layer of their claws, and because they enjoy it. If you provide your cat with a scratching post or pad, she'll be much less likely to scratch your furniture. You can also trim her nails regularly to help.
Several Ways to Train Your Cat Not To Scratch Furniture
Please provide them with a scratching post or other approved scratching surface.
Applying double-sided tape or plastic wrap to areas where they like to scratch
Use a spray bottle filled with water to deter them from scratching
Reward them when they use a scratching post or other approved surface
Find an expert animal cat behavioralist
Exercise them with toys to expel extra energy
Declawed Cats are Disadvantaged When Defending Themselves
Declawed cats cannot use their claws to escape or fight back. Not having their nails makes them easy prey for predators and can lead to them being killed or seriously injured. Additionally, declawing is not natural and is not necessary in most cases. There are many alternative methods of dealing with problem scratching that does not involve mutilating the cat's paws.
Alternatives For Declawing Cats
The following tips can address the issue without causing harm to your cat.
Nail trimming – you can do this at home with a pair of cat nail trimmers or by taking your cat to a groomer or vet.
Soft paws – these are vinyl or silicone covers that fit over your cat's nails. They dull the sharpness of the claws and last for several weeks before needing to be replaced.
Behavior training -involves teaching your cat what is acceptable scratching behavior and providing positive reinforcement when they scratch appropriately.
No matter what method you choose, it is crucial to understand that cats need to scratch, which is a natural behavior. Declawing should only be considered a last resort after all other options have been exhausted.
Conclusion
If you are pondering the idea of declawing your cat, please research the alternatives first and try them. Several cities have already banned declawing, and other jurisdictions should follow suit. Your cat with thank you for it.
Cities in the USA that have banned declawing cats:
-San Francisco
-Berkeley
-Los Angeles
-Santa Monica
-West Hollywood
-Beverly Hills
-Burlington, Vermont
-Denver, Colorado
-Norfolk, Virginia
-Boulder, Colorado.
Declawing cats is cruel, inhumane, and unnecessary. Declawing should only be considered a last resort; even then, it should never be done unless it is a life or death sentence. Please don't declaw your cat. Cats are amazing creatures, and they deserve our respect and compassion. It's time to put an end to this barbaric practice.
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