WhipStaff Rescue does NOT allow our rescue cats to
be declawed. Why?
Claws Are Important To A Cat
A cat's remarkable grace and agility and its faultless sense of balance are due to a great extent
to its retractable claws, which allow it to establish footing for walking, running, springing, climbing,
or stretching. A cat's claws are also its best defense mechanism.
The Need To Scratch
When a cat scratches, it pulls off the old outer nail sheath and exposes sharp, smooth claws.
Scratching is also a way of fulfilling the cat's strong instinctive need to mark its territory. Not only
does a cat mark an object visibly by scratching it, but the scratching deposits secretions from
glands in the feet that can be smelled by other cats. Scratching may also serve psychological
and physiological needs by providing comfort and expression by kneading and allowing valuable
stretching and foot-muscle exercise.
Declawing Operation
The standard declawing procedure calls for the removal of the claw, and the last bone of the toe.
The operation is usually performed on the front feet. It is actually an amputation comparable to
the removal of the fingers of the human hand at the last knuckle. The cat experiences
considerable pain in the recovery and healing process.
THE RISKS
Medical: As with any surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia there are risks.
Complications from anesthesia and/or the surgical procedure are possible. The use of advanced
anesthetics, proper monitoring of the anesthetized patient and surgery performed by a qualified
veterinarian should limit the risks substantially.
Behavioral: Although no definitive studies have been conducted on the effects of declawing,
owners and veterinarians have noticed personality changes in some declawed cats. Formerly
lively, friendly animals have become withdrawn and introverted. Others, deprived of their primary
form of defense, become nervous, fearful, and/or aggressive, often using their only remaining
defense, their teeth. The constant state of stress caused by a feeling of defenselessness may
make some declawed cats more prone to disease or to inappropriate elimination outside the
litterbox.
Safety: A declawed cat must never be allowed outdoors; its ability to defend itself or escape from
danger has been seriously impaired. Even indoors, a cat without claws faces dangers. One
physical effect of declawing is a gradual weakening of the muscles of the legs, shoulders and
back; balance is impaired. This, combined with the fact that despite its grace, a cat's
surefootedness depends on its ability to grasp quickly with its claws, means that a declawed
animal can more easily be injured in a fall.
INSTEAD OF DECLAWING
Introduce A Scratching Post: Buy or make a scratching post that is tall enough so the cat can
stretch completely when scratching, and stable enough so it won't wobble when being used. It
should be covered with a heavy, rough fiber like sisal or the back side of carpeting. Place the
post in an accessible area. If you are trying to discourage the cat from scratching a particular
piece of furniture, try placing the post in front of it, gradually moving the post aside as the cat
begins to use it regularly.
Train with a dual approach: discourage the cat from clawing the wrong things, encourage the cat
to claw the right things. If the cat begins to scratch the furniture, call him by name, firmly telling
him "no", and entice him over to the scratching post with a ribbon or fresh catnip. Each time he
goes on his own, praise him, pet him, and spend a minute playing at the post. Make it a fun place
to be. At the same time, the favorite furniture scratching area can be made less attractive by
contact paper sticky side out (held on with upholstery screws). Put inexpensive cardboard
scratch pads or posts near all the cat's favorite furniture.
Keep The Cat's Nails Trimmed: cutting the nails regularly may help a cat from scratching the
furniture, or at least reduce the damage done by his scratching. Get your kitten used to having
his nails clipped while he's young. With an older cat, it may help to begin by handling the cat's
feet under pleasurable circumstances. Then begin to introduce the clipping procedure by
approaching the cat while he's relaxed or even napping and clip only a few nails per session.
Praise your cat while you clip the nail and reward him with a treat.
If you're in doubt about what the proper nail length looks like, have your veterinarian trim the
nails once. The only equipment necessary is a good pair of feline nail scissors. Before cutting,
look for the pink "quick" that runs down the center of the nail. The scissors should cut about an
eighth of an inch forward of the quick. Be extremely careful not to cut into the quick. If this
happens, the cat will experience pain, and bleeding is likely. The bleeding may stop without
assistance, or you may need to hold a soft cloth on the nail or apply a little styptic powder. If you
trim a small amount of nail on a regular basis, the quick will actually tend to recede.
Is Your Cat Scratching You?
It is not uncommon to get scratched by your kitten or adolescent cat. It is during these growth
stages that predatory play is at its highest. To avoid being seen as "prey" by your cat, direct play
onto such interactive toys as a catnip mouse on a string or commercially available toys like the
Cat Dancer or Kitty Tease. If your cat is still pouncing on fingers and toes, reprimand it with a
loud open-mouthed hiss or a puff of air blown in the face.
We hope that you will give careful consideration to the decision to declaw or not to
declaw your cat. It is a painful procedure that can have serious physical and behavioral
consequences for your pet. If you have questions about declawing or about training
your cat, don't hesitate to call us. We'll do our best to help you establish and maintain a
happy relationship with your feline friend, while keeping both your furnishings and
your pet in one piece.
be declawed. Why?
Claws Are Important To A Cat
A cat's remarkable grace and agility and its faultless sense of balance are due to a great extent
to its retractable claws, which allow it to establish footing for walking, running, springing, climbing,
or stretching. A cat's claws are also its best defense mechanism.
The Need To Scratch
When a cat scratches, it pulls off the old outer nail sheath and exposes sharp, smooth claws.
Scratching is also a way of fulfilling the cat's strong instinctive need to mark its territory. Not only
does a cat mark an object visibly by scratching it, but the scratching deposits secretions from
glands in the feet that can be smelled by other cats. Scratching may also serve psychological
and physiological needs by providing comfort and expression by kneading and allowing valuable
stretching and foot-muscle exercise.
Declawing Operation
The standard declawing procedure calls for the removal of the claw, and the last bone of the toe.
The operation is usually performed on the front feet. It is actually an amputation comparable to
the removal of the fingers of the human hand at the last knuckle. The cat experiences
considerable pain in the recovery and healing process.
THE RISKS
Medical: As with any surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia there are risks.
Complications from anesthesia and/or the surgical procedure are possible. The use of advanced
anesthetics, proper monitoring of the anesthetized patient and surgery performed by a qualified
veterinarian should limit the risks substantially.
Behavioral: Although no definitive studies have been conducted on the effects of declawing,
owners and veterinarians have noticed personality changes in some declawed cats. Formerly
lively, friendly animals have become withdrawn and introverted. Others, deprived of their primary
form of defense, become nervous, fearful, and/or aggressive, often using their only remaining
defense, their teeth. The constant state of stress caused by a feeling of defenselessness may
make some declawed cats more prone to disease or to inappropriate elimination outside the
litterbox.
Safety: A declawed cat must never be allowed outdoors; its ability to defend itself or escape from
danger has been seriously impaired. Even indoors, a cat without claws faces dangers. One
physical effect of declawing is a gradual weakening of the muscles of the legs, shoulders and
back; balance is impaired. This, combined with the fact that despite its grace, a cat's
surefootedness depends on its ability to grasp quickly with its claws, means that a declawed
animal can more easily be injured in a fall.
INSTEAD OF DECLAWING
Introduce A Scratching Post: Buy or make a scratching post that is tall enough so the cat can
stretch completely when scratching, and stable enough so it won't wobble when being used. It
should be covered with a heavy, rough fiber like sisal or the back side of carpeting. Place the
post in an accessible area. If you are trying to discourage the cat from scratching a particular
piece of furniture, try placing the post in front of it, gradually moving the post aside as the cat
begins to use it regularly.
Train with a dual approach: discourage the cat from clawing the wrong things, encourage the cat
to claw the right things. If the cat begins to scratch the furniture, call him by name, firmly telling
him "no", and entice him over to the scratching post with a ribbon or fresh catnip. Each time he
goes on his own, praise him, pet him, and spend a minute playing at the post. Make it a fun place
to be. At the same time, the favorite furniture scratching area can be made less attractive by
contact paper sticky side out (held on with upholstery screws). Put inexpensive cardboard
scratch pads or posts near all the cat's favorite furniture.
Keep The Cat's Nails Trimmed: cutting the nails regularly may help a cat from scratching the
furniture, or at least reduce the damage done by his scratching. Get your kitten used to having
his nails clipped while he's young. With an older cat, it may help to begin by handling the cat's
feet under pleasurable circumstances. Then begin to introduce the clipping procedure by
approaching the cat while he's relaxed or even napping and clip only a few nails per session.
Praise your cat while you clip the nail and reward him with a treat.
If you're in doubt about what the proper nail length looks like, have your veterinarian trim the
nails once. The only equipment necessary is a good pair of feline nail scissors. Before cutting,
look for the pink "quick" that runs down the center of the nail. The scissors should cut about an
eighth of an inch forward of the quick. Be extremely careful not to cut into the quick. If this
happens, the cat will experience pain, and bleeding is likely. The bleeding may stop without
assistance, or you may need to hold a soft cloth on the nail or apply a little styptic powder. If you
trim a small amount of nail on a regular basis, the quick will actually tend to recede.
Is Your Cat Scratching You?
It is not uncommon to get scratched by your kitten or adolescent cat. It is during these growth
stages that predatory play is at its highest. To avoid being seen as "prey" by your cat, direct play
onto such interactive toys as a catnip mouse on a string or commercially available toys like the
Cat Dancer or Kitty Tease. If your cat is still pouncing on fingers and toes, reprimand it with a
loud open-mouthed hiss or a puff of air blown in the face.
We hope that you will give careful consideration to the decision to declaw or not to
declaw your cat. It is a painful procedure that can have serious physical and behavioral
consequences for your pet. If you have questions about declawing or about training
your cat, don't hesitate to call us. We'll do our best to help you establish and maintain a
happy relationship with your feline friend, while keeping both your furnishings and
your pet in one piece.
