| Claws are a very important part of feline life. | | | | scratch anyone, or ruin rugs. However, if a |
| They allow the cat to balance when running to | | | | declawed cat is threatened, it will sometimes |
| and fro, jump and grab onto a surface, and | | | | compensate by biting instead of clawing, and this |
| protect themselves from predators, other cats, | | | | poses an even more serious risk of infection than |
| and catch prey. Claws also help a cat to stretch, | | | | a cat claw.In fact, due to the traumatic nature of |
| which keeps their joints relaxed, as well as | | | | this operation, many vets will not perform it |
| provide them with a source of relaxation and | | | | unless there is a medical necessity. For example, |
| comfort when they stretch. Also, cat claws can | | | | an AIDS patient in the latter portion of the |
| be used to dig up dirt or clay and bury their mess | | | | disease may not be able to heal any wound or |
| once they use their toilet.Cats are territorial | | | | scratch that they get, so a cat scratch could be |
| animals, and they mark their territory. Sometimes, | | | | deadly. If the cat is a well loved family pet, the |
| people have their cats fixed before he develops | | | | only option may be to give it away, or declaw it. |
| the ability to spray an area, but this is not his only | | | | In this case, a vet may perform the operation. |
| method of marking. They also release a chemical | | | | But, this is the exception, and really should be the |
| in their paws that allows them to mark their area | | | | only time declawing is considered.Furthermore, the |
| when they scratch the surface. We can't detect | | | | trauma that declawing can cause may change a |
| it, but other cats can, and this is very important | | | | cats behavior dramatically. Some cats never |
| for a cat to be able to mark the area.Most | | | | adjust to life without their claws, and it can also |
| importantly, the claws of a cat are actually the | | | | be painful. Remember, this is an amputation, so it |
| last digit of the cats paw. When a cat is declawed, | | | | is expected that some will not recover |
| the vet actually removes the entire claw, including | | | | emotionally from this procedure. Also, a cat that |
| muscle and the tip of the bone. To make an | | | | is used to jumping on furniture may find that it |
| analogy to human hands, it would be like | | | | cannot do so anymore. Nor will it be able to claw |
| amputating the tip of the finger up to the base of | | | | at any cat toys, and this can cause depression or |
| the finger nail.Now, the advantages to declawing | | | | even aggressive behavior in a cat.Training your |
| are obvious. It will keep your furniture free of | | | | cat is the best alternative to declawing. |
| claw marks, and your cat won't be able to | | | | |