Cat Declawing Alternatives

Cats make great pets. They are very independent, which makes them a great pet for busy people. Unfortunately, there is a downside to having a cat. Cats love to scratch walls, doors, and furniture. Your kitten or cat will scratch for a few reasons. These include:

• Remove dead skin from the outer lawyer of their claws
• Sharpen their claws
• Leaving their scent to mark their territory
• To relieve stress
• To stretch their feet and bodies

Even though your cat is scratching for good reasons, it can still be frustrating. When your cats scratch, they can cause damage to your furniture and the structure of your home. Years ago, cat owners would consider declawing to prevent them from scratching. This is no longer considered a good idea. Declawing is very painful, and if your cats get outside, they won't have the claws they need to defend themselves against predators. Fortunately, there are alternatives to declawing. Our team at Glastonbury Animal Hospital can help you come up with humane alternatives to declawing.

Frequent Nail Trims

If your cat is going to scratch things in your home, it will do less damage if the claws aren't long or sharp. If you want to keep your cat from causing damage to your home, you need to take it to our veterinarians or a groomer regularly for claw trimming.

Scratching Posts or Pads

Scratching posts are designed to withstand frequent cat scratching. If your cat has access to a scratching post, it won't scratch things that it shouldn't. The scratching post location must be in a main area of the house where your cat can gain easy access. You can also buy scratch pads that hang on the wall. If your cat has one special area of the home that it likes to scratch, you can hang the scratching pad there.

More Tips and Veterinary Care in Glastonbury, CT

If you have questions regarding declawing alternatives, call our team at Glastonbury Animal Hospital today at 860-633-8394 to learn more. We provide quality veterinary care for the pet community in and around Glastonbury, CT.