Sep
15
Why De-clawing A Cat Is Cruel.
Posted by Carol Johnston at 17:57 | Filed In Cat Behavior
A cat’s claws are used for different reasons. The claws mean a lot to cats, since they help a cat to balance himself. If you have ever watched a cat jump and hold onto a high object, most likely you see that he used his claws for getting up. When they climb up a tree, cats typically use their claws to hold onto the limb and climb where they are going.
Cat’s claws are also used to stretch, walk, and run. A cat’s claws are the main way it has to protect itself from harm, from people and from other animals. Nearly all cats have very sharp claws, since a cat’s claws and teeth are generally the only weapons they have. The claws are necessary for taking care of bathroom duties also, since cats use claws to dig and hide their excrement with dirt.
Cats scratch with claws also, and this marks their area. Their claws have glands that secrete. When they put their mark on an object, they leave a secretion on the place where they scratched. The cats can detect this, but people can’t. Occasionally, they will scratch so that an older claw will drop off and the new claw under this will grow out.
As disappointing as it is, many pet owners value their possessions, like costly furniture or carpets, more than their cat. The cat owners are scared that the cat will destroy their furnishing or carpeting, and this is why they make a decision to have their cat de-clawed. Having a cat’s claws taken out is an operation, which consists of the end joint in a cat’s foot being cut off where the nail is connected.
If you have been considering having your cat de-clawed, you should be aware that this could completely alter his personality. After the cat is de-clawed, he will be hurt and confused. It will be difficult, maybe even impossible, for him to jump on the couch, get through the window, or play like he used to. Some cats, following being de-clawed, become mean and use their teeth to bite. In other words, the cat will be very unhappy, which is hard for loving owners to cope with.
People who choose to have cats should be aware that a cat can scratch occasionally. People should not consider owning a cat if they cannot accept that a cat will scratch sometimes. Cats make wonderful pets, however cats have claws and they will use them sometimes. There are many other wonderful pets available if you can’t deal with a cat. If your concern is only your furniture or carpet, there are methods you can use to prevent your cat from scratching your possessions.
Purchasing a scratching post, showing it to your cat, and demonstrating how to use it is one of the first steps you should take to keep him from scratching on other things. You can also buy a rush mat, which will assist your cat with his inclination for scratching. You might have to show your cat how to use the mat or post, but they’ll learn quickly. Your cat will stop scratching on your furniture and carpet once you have demonstrated the way he should use the scratching post or mat.
Many people don’t realize that there are alternatives to getting their cat de-clawed that will still protect their possessions. Having a cat’s claw taken out hurts very much and it is perplexing to the cat, and it might completely alter the way he looks at things. For the sake of your cat, you should consider other available options before pursuing the inhumane treatment of de-clawing your cat.