Too often, people who adopt a cat believe one of the first trips to the veterinarian should include declawing. Evidence shows that declawing can cause cats pain months and even years after surgery; many animals lovers consider the surgery inhumane. It is especially traumatic for older cats, but whatever the age of your cat, you might consider an alternative...

Training

By their nature, cats will scratch, but many cats can be trained to scratch only owner-approved objects. Cat posts made of burlap or rope materials not carpet or upholstery are recommended. The scratch post offers a positive alternative for the cat to scratch instead of furniture. Another option that cats seem to like is a piece of treated cedar fence post. While training your cat, praise him when he is scratching the post instead of the furniture. If your cat scratches the furniture, use a water bottle or squirt gun to spray the cat when his paws reach up to scratch. This will discourage the cat from continuing the undesired behavior. Noise also can be used to deter scratching, such as shaking a can with a few coins in it. When your cat begins to scratch, roll the can in the direction of the cat. The noise will be associated with the behavior, and the cat should stop scratching. If your cat is going to respond to these techniques, scratching will decrease by 50% within three weeks. The training must be consistent and on-going in order for the cat to learn.

New Surgery

If training and regular nail trimming will not control a cat's destructive tendencies, declawing your cat is not the only answer. A fairly new but proven surgery, "posterior digital tendonectomy," is a viable alternative. This procedure removes a small tendon behind each pad, making the cat unable to extend his claws to scratch. The cat experiences only minimal pain and discomfort for a few days. Cats are sent home the same day of the surgery. The cat's nails must be trimmed every six to eight weeks to maintain a proper nail length. Therefore, this surgery is not recommended for every cat, since nail trims can be traumatic and nearly impossible for some. If a cat owner is not prepared or willing to deal with nail trimming, especially this often, he or she should dismiss this surgery as an option and consider declawing instead (again, if training is unsuccessful).

Ask Your Veterinarian for More Information on These Alternatives to Declawing Your Cat.