A cat’s scratching serves specific purposes for the animal, including removing broken and dead husks from claws, marking territory, and helping them stretch their muscles. Although it is normal cat behavior, scratching can challenge many pet parents.
Many pet parents falsely believe that declawing their cats can prevent them from scratching. Declawing is a major surgery that involves removing the last bone of each tow to inhibit the claws’ regrowth. The human equivalent would be the amputation of all 10 human fingertips up to the last knuckle.
The risks of declawing surgery include infection and tissue necrosis. Additionally, the animal may suffer long-term effects such as nerve damage. Because the surgery changes the way a cat’s paw hits the ground when it walks, declawing can also result in back pain, lameness, and bone spurs.
In addition to the potential physical complications of declawing surgery, cats may exhibit behavioral problems. Their claws provide their primary means of defense. When the claws are gone, cats may adopt other methods, such as biting when threatened. A bite from a cat generally causes more complications than a scratch.
The prevailing opinion on declawing has shifted, and many veterinarians refuse to perform the procedure. Many animal welfare organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing except in extreme cases of medical necessity (for example, to facilitate the removal of a cancerous tumor in the nail bed).
Instead of declawing, pet parents may implement several humane and inexpensive strategies. First, they should remove or cover valuable objects. For example, they can cover a chair with a sheet and turn speakers to the wall as a simple, cheap way of protecting them against scratching. Pet parents should also trim their cats’ nails regularly. If the cat does not allow this, they might take them to a groomer or veterinarian with experience working with reluctant animals.
Cat parents should offer stable scratching surfaces throughout the house. These might include a scratching post or a cardboard scratcher. Cats appreciate a wide variety of textures, including carpet, sisal, and wood, as well as surfaces with both horizontal and vertical orientations. Sprinkling catnip on each surface will encourage the cat to scratch.
Pet parents can choose from various products to prevent scratching on unwanted surfaces. Some sprays use essential oils or other natural scents can deter cats from scratching furniture, carpet, or drapes. Pet parents should apply these sprays every 24 hours until the scratching habit is broken.
Alternatively, double-sided tape such as Sticky Paws® will stick to surfaces and discourage scratching, while temporary glue or caps on a cat’s nails can make the cat’s claws unable to damage surfaces by scratching. These special caps attach to claws with an adhesive and last 4 to 6 weeks.
Behavioral training with an applied animal behaviorist or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist is also an effective way to stop scratching behaviors without resorting to declawing.
Many pet parents falsely believe that declawing their cats can prevent them from scratching. Declawing is a major surgery that involves removing the last bone of each tow to inhibit the claws’ regrowth. The human equivalent would be the amputation of all 10 human fingertips up to the last knuckle.
The risks of declawing surgery include infection and tissue necrosis. Additionally, the animal may suffer long-term effects such as nerve damage. Because the surgery changes the way a cat’s paw hits the ground when it walks, declawing can also result in back pain, lameness, and bone spurs.
In addition to the potential physical complications of declawing surgery, cats may exhibit behavioral problems. Their claws provide their primary means of defense. When the claws are gone, cats may adopt other methods, such as biting when threatened. A bite from a cat generally causes more complications than a scratch.
The prevailing opinion on declawing has shifted, and many veterinarians refuse to perform the procedure. Many animal welfare organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing except in extreme cases of medical necessity (for example, to facilitate the removal of a cancerous tumor in the nail bed).
Instead of declawing, pet parents may implement several humane and inexpensive strategies. First, they should remove or cover valuable objects. For example, they can cover a chair with a sheet and turn speakers to the wall as a simple, cheap way of protecting them against scratching. Pet parents should also trim their cats’ nails regularly. If the cat does not allow this, they might take them to a groomer or veterinarian with experience working with reluctant animals.
Cat parents should offer stable scratching surfaces throughout the house. These might include a scratching post or a cardboard scratcher. Cats appreciate a wide variety of textures, including carpet, sisal, and wood, as well as surfaces with both horizontal and vertical orientations. Sprinkling catnip on each surface will encourage the cat to scratch.
Pet parents can choose from various products to prevent scratching on unwanted surfaces. Some sprays use essential oils or other natural scents can deter cats from scratching furniture, carpet, or drapes. Pet parents should apply these sprays every 24 hours until the scratching habit is broken.
Alternatively, double-sided tape such as Sticky Paws® will stick to surfaces and discourage scratching, while temporary glue or caps on a cat’s nails can make the cat’s claws unable to damage surfaces by scratching. These special caps attach to claws with an adhesive and last 4 to 6 weeks.
Behavioral training with an applied animal behaviorist or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist is also an effective way to stop scratching behaviors without resorting to declawing.
