Things to considering before declawing cats
Q. The cats I have adopted in the past were declawed when I got them, but my cats have since passed away and now I have a kitten, should I declaw him?
- Robert Daniels, Bloomingdale
A. There is great debate when it comes to declawing pet cats. Let me see if I can cover the basics so you may make an informed choice. With any new pet there will be a lot of do's and don'ts that your pet will need to learn. Do use the litter box which you will put in a secluded accessible area. Next will be to put the same thought into where the best locations are to place scratching posts.
Most cats like to wake up and stretch and scratch. A type of scratching post liked by many cats is made with thistle. A few of these strategically placed throughout your house should begin good scratching behavior. You may at this time need to protect your furniture until your cat gets the idea that furniture is not the place to do their stretching and scratching. Most cats dislike slippery or sticky surfaces so that should help when determining the best deterring coverage until your kitten gets the idea. A spray bottle with room temperature water is also a humane deterrent to your kitten scratching in unauthorized areas.
If the decision is to declaw after other attempts have failed. There are two types of declawing, one is called onychectomy which will remove the first claw and the first knuckle, the second type is a tendonectomy which severs the tendon so your kitten cannot extend its claws, but with this procedure the claws continue to grow so you will have to trim the claws every 4 to 6 weeks.
When making this decision to declaw remember that your cat no longer has its most keen of defenses and should never be let outside. It may also take time to figure out which litter to use that feels good underneath their paws. And remember that without claws your cat's first line of defense is gone; your cat may be prone to use his or her teeth if threatened or irritated.
Declawing should be a last resort if all other deterrents have failed. If it boils down to surrendering your beloved cat due to destruction that hasn't been deterred even with your best efforts, or declawing, I think your cat would rather have a loved life with you as opposed to being surrendered.
• Kerry Vinkler is director of DuPage County Animal Care and Control. To submit a question, e-mail animalcontrol@Dupageco.org; send a letter to 120 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187; visit www.dupageco.org/animalcontrol; or call (630) 407-2800.