Cat declawing used to be a widely accepted method for controlling . Alternatives to cat declawing are now considered humane solutions to destructive cat scratching.

Cat declawing is a major surgery which involves the surgical removal of the last digit of the cat toes. Instead of the surgical removal of the last portion of the toe, the veterinarian may deal what is called a tendonectomy and cut the tendon to the claw.

The main reason that cat owners elect to get their cat’s declawed is to stop or prevent destructive cat scratching. Some cat owners believe that they must have their cat’s declawed to save their furniture and even themselves from getting scratched. A cat owner who gets the cat declawing to stop cat scratching during play may be disappointed when the declawed cat bites since they can no longer use its claws to defend itself.

Cat declawing can cause dangerous complications and behavior problems such as infection and the decline in litter box usage. Cat declawing can cause a cat to walk differently than its natural gait which can cause long-term skeletal and joint problems. If a declawed cat becomes a stray the cat is defenseless to protect itself.

Decline can cause litter box problems. When a cat experiences pain from declawing, the pain may be worse when the cat digs in litter box. The cat may associate pain with the litter box and avoid the litter box.

The Humane Society and other organizations that promote the humane treatment of animals are opposed to cat declawing. There are several humane alternatives to cat declawing. A cat owner can simply trim the tips of the cat’s claws regularly.

A cat’s claws can be trimmed with a regular fingernail clippers. That cat owner can extend the claws by gently pressing on the cat’s paw. The pink part of the nail, called the quick, should be avoided as they will bleed of cut. Only the very tips of the claws need to be cut.

Scratching post can be an effective alternative to cat declawing. If a cat refuses to use his scratching posts, the cat owner may encourage use by rubbing the scratching post with catnip and placing it near where any destructive scratching has occurred.

Vinyl claw covers are tiny plastic nail caps that glue onto a cat claws. Vinyl nail caps typically stay in place for about five weeks.