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Cat care FAQs > Should I de-claw my cat?
Should I de-claw my cat?
 You
may want to de-claw your cat if the cat will certainly be an indoor
cat. If the cat will be outdoors at all, however, it may need its
claws for protection and is therefore not recommended.
The surgical de-clawing procedure is actually an amputation. The
Veterinarian will remove the last piece of bone off of each toe.
Remember as well that surgical recovery is much more painful for
older and heavier cats than it is for smaller cats or kittens
There are other options available if you are intimidated by having
the surgery.
Here are two other ways:
1) There are things often referred to as “soft paws”
in this case, a vinyl covering is glued over the claws. This method
prevents the cat from causing damage to your home and furniture
because the ends of the claws are now rounded. This method lasts
four to six weeks before needing replacement.
2) The method I use is nail trimming once to twice a month. If
you decide to use this alternative make sure that you have very
sharp nail clippers, and that you only trim the claw itself. There
will be a pink stripe that colors the inside of every claw, be sure
to cut above the pink and NEVER below—or the cat will be injured
from the clipping.
Other frequently asked questions:
How
do I train my cat?
What
kind of nurser should I use for my newborn kitten?
When
is my kitten old enough to use the litter on his/her own?
How
will my new baby kitten get along with the pets I already own? |
