Through education, declawing cats has fallen out of favor with many enlightened cat caregivers. However, as long as many veterinarians offer declaw at the same time as neutering, uneducated cat owners will continue to have their cats declawed. The problem lies in the fact that the vets do not offer humane alternatives at the same time.
If you have any thoughts at all about the possibility of having your cat declawed, please consider these alternatives first. They really work to help prevent clawing damage to your possessions, as well as painful scratches.1. Trimming Cats' Claws
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy
2. Provide Ample Scratching Posts
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy
3. Apply Soft Claws Vinyl Claw Covers
Photo Credit: © Soft Paws, inc.
Soft Claws, also sold as Soft Paws, were developed by a veterinarian, and are vinyl nail caps which glue right over a cat's claws. They come in clear or colors, which can look quite fancy, and also are easy to locate if one should come off. The caps grow out with the natural growth of your cats nails, and are said to last four to six weeks, on average. Soft Claws may be found in veterinary clinics and many cat supply stores.
Be sure to read my review of Soft Claws.
4. Try Feliway Spray or Feliway Comfort Zone Plugin
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Feliway is a "friendly pheromone" which mimics the scent of cats' facial glands. It has been found to be useful in combating cats' urine marking tendencies, as it is thought that cats will not mark with urine where they have previously marked with facial glands. Although Feliway is not marketed for this purpose, some behaviorists believe it may be useful to curb undesirable scratching.
Feliway spray can be used to apply directly to the areas of your cat's "illegal scratching." The plugin diffuser may be used to treat an entire small room.
