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All things Cat
Should a cat be declawed?
I've been asked this question a number of times. My personal response...
Is your cat an outdoor cat? What if it gets lost, do you want it to be defenseless?
My cats are totally indoor cats and what if something happened and they inadvertently got outdoors, I do not want them
to be defenseless. Declawing is like removing a joint from a human finger. I would not do this just to protect
furniture, draperies, etc. I would prefer to close the door to a room so that the cat could not enter and possibly damage
something.
However, claws can scratch and hurt. So, I trim their claws when they are tired and sleepy. Until I learned
how, I took them to the vet and it was done for $7.00.
Cats are precious animals that need our love, protection and care, just as any other pet. Pet ownership is a responsibility
and should only be undertaken if one truly "wants" to share their environment, time and money.
I have indicated below how a cat's claws should properly be trimmed. Do it when you are not rushed, have some quiet
time and the cat is "sleepy."
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| How To Trim Your Cat's Claws |
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Press gently with thumb on the top of the pad area to extend claws.
| Trimming your
cat's claws is the humane answer to declawing. Start with a relaxed, sleepy cat, sharp clippers and a good light source, for
best results. Regular human toenail or fingernail clippers work well, as well as guillotine-type cat clippers.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 5 minutes
Here's How:
- Support your cat securely in your arm left arm with his front paw in your left hand. It may be easier at first to wrap
him in a towel with only the paw extended. I find it very easy to do while my cat is just relaxing on my lap
- Press gently but firmly on the pad area to extend a claw. It isn't necessary to squeeze hard. (You may want to practice
steps one and two a few days in advance of the actual trimming, to be sure he's comfortable with your handling his paws.)
- Examine the claw closely under light to find the pink area in the center called the 'quick.' This is a blood vessel, and
will bleed if nicked.
- Holding the clippers parallel to the flat part of the claw, quickly snip off the tip, being careful not to cut into the
quick.
- Give kitty a treat and a few kind words for being such a good cat. The more relaxed you and he both are, the easier the
process will be.
- Repeat the previous five steps until you have finished the first paw.
- If your cat is comfortable and compliant, continue until the nails on both front feet have been clipped. Usually, trimming
the back toenails is unnecessary, and undesirable, if the cat is allowed outdoors.
Tips:
- Keep a barber's styptic pen or styptic powder handy in case you accidently cut into the quick. If this should happen,
apply the powder to the nail to stop the bleeding, and call it a day.
- It may be easier if you have a second person holding the cat. Above all, it's important that you and your cat both be
relaxed.
- If at any time your cat becomes anxious, stop immediately. You can do one claw every day, if necessary.
- If all else fails, ask your veterinarian to demonstrate the procedure for you, or schedule your cat for regular nail clips
by a veterinarian or groomer. Most vets will perform this service for a minimal charge, call and ask.
What You Need:
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- Nail clippers
- Styptic powder/pencil
- Towel
- Reward treat
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