Cat Declawing: Effects and Alternatives

As feline aficionados, one issue often weighs heavily on our minds – that of cat declawing. Cat declawing has long been a controversial subject in the cat community. In our endeavor to create a harmonious environment for ourselves and our furry friends, we should not neglect the long-term health and happiness of our beloved pets.

In understanding this procedure, it is essential to know that declawing a cat is not merely trimming its nails, but rather amputating the last bone of each toe. Imagine having the last bone of each of your fingers chopped off at the knuckle. It is that extreme. Let's delve into the adverse effects this invasive surgery has on cats. Physical Consequences: The most direct and immediate side effects of declawing include pain and potential complications like infection, tissue necrosis, lameness, and back pain. Despite these health risks, the suffering cats experience often extends well beyond the physical pain. Behavioral Consequences: When cats are declawed, they can become anxious, fearful, or aggressive due to the loss of their primary defense mechanism. They might also resort to biting as a means of self-defense. Declawed cats often develop adverse behavioral changes, including inappropriate elimination (refusal to use the litter box) due to pain associated with scratching in the litter. There is a good reason many countries (including much of Europe and Australia) and even some cities in North America have made cat declawing illegal. Alternatives to Declawing: 1. Regular Nail Trimming: A lot of the damage cats do can be controlled by keeping their nails short. 2. Use Soft Paws: Soft Paws are vinyl nail caps that can be glued to your cat's existing nails. 3. Provide Scratching Posts: Offering multiple, well-located scratching posts can satisfy your cat's need to scratch. 4. Train Your Cat: Invest time in teaching your cat where they can and cannot scratch. Use positive reinforcement such as treats and praise when your cat uses the scratching post. 5. Feliway Spray: This is a synthetic pheromone that simulates the 'feel-good' factor cats get when they rub their faces on furniture, encouraging them to scratch less. 6. Use of deterrents: Sticky tape, aluminum foil, or sprays can make surfaces less appealing for cats to scratch. In the pursuit of cohabiting with our purr-fect companions, let's endeavor to find non-harming alternatives, consider the consequences, and place our cat’s welfare at the forefront of our decision-making.

Comments

Why Cats Sleep So Much

Cats are known for their love of lounging around and catching some shut-eye. Averaging around 15 hours of sleep per day, some cats can even sleep up to 20 hours within a 24-hour period. The reason for this stems from their predatory nature. Cats are natural predators and in the wild, the hunt for prey is an intense activity which requires high energy. Sleeping for long periods of time helps cats conserve their energy. Domestic cats sleep a lot due to lack of necessary activity, unlike their wild counterparts. The typical behavior of hunting, chasing and exploring aren't usually required of house cats, which results in the tendency to sleep more. Additionally, cats sleep in short bursts, usually for about 15-20 minutes at a time. Their sleep consists of both REM sleep (where dreaming occurs) and non-REM sleep. During REM sleep, a cat's brain activity is nearly as active as when it's awake. In senior cats, health issues can cause an increase in sleep. Issues such as art...

Wet Cat Food vs dry Cat Food Which Is Better?

There’s an ongoing debate amongst cat owners on which type of food is better for their pets - wet or dry? Many cat owners will usually go with what their feline friend seems to like the most, but it is always wise to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both types before making a decision. Advantages of Wet Cat Food 1. Hydration: Wet cat food consists of about 70% to 80% moisture which can be very beneficial for cats. This is particularly important if your cat doesn't drink a lot of water, helping prevent urinary tract problems. 2. Palatability : Some cats might find wet food more appealing due to its texture and smell. 3. Lower carbohydrates: Wet cat food generally has fewer carbohydrates compared to dry food. Disadvantages of Wet Cat Food 1. Dental health: Some veterinary professionals argue that wet food doesn’t provide the same tooth-cleaning benefits that kibble does, which might increase the chances of your cat developing dental diseases. 2. Price : Wet ...

Understanding your cat is to understand their body language and what it means.

Understanding the language of our furry feline friends can sometimes feel like trying to decode an alien message. They can be as elusive and cryptic as they are cute and cuddly. Nevertheless, cat lovers around the world know that this very mystery makes these adorable creatures even more fascinating and irresistible. Our cats are communicating with us constantly - it's up to us to learn their language. And a major part of their communication involves their body language. Unlike dogs, which have a myriad of vocal ways to express their thoughts and feelings, cats primarily use body language to converse with us and other animals. 1. Tail Movement Cats use their tail for communication. A tail held high indicates happiness and confidence, while a low or tucked tail could indicate fear or submission. If a cat's tail is puffed up, it is generally a sign of anger, fear or excitement. 2. Ear Position A cat's ear position can be very telling of their mood. Ears pointing for...

Cat Lovers Blog

Search This Blog