Get Informed Before Choosing to Get Your Cat De-clawed
Should you get your cat de-clawed? This is a question that cat owners may find themselves mulling over. Although you may love your feline friend you don’t relish having your furniture at the mercy of your cat’s claws. It is only natural that cat owners become frustrated when feline scratching is ruining carpets, furniture, wood floors or surfaces and other household items. Although providing the kitty with a scratching post may lessen the problem it might not eliminate the undesirable behavior.
Cat owners may come to the conclusion that de-clawing their cat is the best solution. It is not. Many people are totally against such action. Personally, I agree that to de-claw a cat is not an option to be considered. Often people that are thinking of de-clawing are not as informed as they should be. People may have the misguided perception that de-clawing a cat is a simple and relatively painless procedure. It is not. It is a painful amputation. Imagine having a joint removed from your fingers. De-clawing can affect a cat’s balance and leave them defenseless.
You may feel that your cat doesn’t need to defend itself if it is an indoor pet but anything can happen and your cat may suddenly find itself outdoors with no claws for defense. A window or door may accidentally be left open and the cat may wander outside. Even cats that have never been outside before, show no interest or seem to fear the outdoors have been known to investigate from time to time. The sight of a bird or the sound of another cat could be the bait that lures your feline beyond the safety of its indoor surroundings.
Cats that have been de-clawed may begin to exhibit behavioral changes. Otherwise outgoing, friendly cats may become extremely timid or shy. Some may become more aggressive and start to bite. It must also be understood that there can always be complications with surgery although it may be rare. Infection could set in, requiring extended treatment; there is the possibility of hemorrhage or even an allergic reaction to the anesthesia used. Even if all goes well, the recovery is painful.
When we decide to take on the responsibility to accept a feline companion into our homes we have to keep in mind that it is part of a cat’s natural instinct to scratch. We can bring them into our homes, train them and care for them but their natural instincts will remain. Some veterinarians will not perform the de-clawing procedure. The fact is that de-clawing is inhumane. Don’t make the decision lightly. In fact, choose not to make the decision to de-claw at all.
Copyright © 2005 Ian White
Cat owners may come to the conclusion that de-clawing their cat is the best solution. It is not. Many people are totally against such action. Personally, I agree that to de-claw a cat is not an option to be considered. Often people that are thinking of de-clawing are not as informed as they should be. People may have the misguided perception that de-clawing a cat is a simple and relatively painless procedure. It is not. It is a painful amputation. Imagine having a joint removed from your fingers. De-clawing can affect a cat’s balance and leave them defenseless.
You may feel that your cat doesn’t need to defend itself if it is an indoor pet but anything can happen and your cat may suddenly find itself outdoors with no claws for defense. A window or door may accidentally be left open and the cat may wander outside. Even cats that have never been outside before, show no interest or seem to fear the outdoors have been known to investigate from time to time. The sight of a bird or the sound of another cat could be the bait that lures your feline beyond the safety of its indoor surroundings.
Cats that have been de-clawed may begin to exhibit behavioral changes. Otherwise outgoing, friendly cats may become extremely timid or shy. Some may become more aggressive and start to bite. It must also be understood that there can always be complications with surgery although it may be rare. Infection could set in, requiring extended treatment; there is the possibility of hemorrhage or even an allergic reaction to the anesthesia used. Even if all goes well, the recovery is painful.
When we decide to take on the responsibility to accept a feline companion into our homes we have to keep in mind that it is part of a cat’s natural instinct to scratch. We can bring them into our homes, train them and care for them but their natural instincts will remain. Some veterinarians will not perform the de-clawing procedure. The fact is that de-clawing is inhumane. Don’t make the decision lightly. In fact, choose not to make the decision to de-claw at all.
Copyright © 2005 Ian White
posted by Ian White, Housecarers | 6:21 PM
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