Cat Scratching prevention and Learn About Declawing Cats
Filed Under Pets | Posted on May 28, 2008
Declawing Cats is a decision all Cat and Kitten owners have
to make. Cat Scratching and Cat Declawing go hand in hand.
It is necessary for a person to think very carefully
before putting a house cat indoors. This is because cats habitually scratch
household furniture. Scratching is a standard feline behavior.
Cats living outside do not face this problem, since they
hone their claws on trees and so on. The most important reason for cat
scratching is that by doing so they mark their territory. They exercise
themselves and remove dead nails by doing so. Scratching also makes them feel
good.
Methods To Prevent Cat Scratching:
It is unreasonable and wrong to expect cats to end
scratching. To prevent scratching, one needs to build or design a scratching
post, provide suitable play toys and so on.
It will be beneficial to build scratching posts in areas
where the cat spends most of its time, with one near the cat’s resting area.
The height of the post needs to be such that the cat is able to scratch it,
while on its hind legs with extended forelegs.
The post also has to be very sturdy to prevent it from
toppling. A scratching post having a corner is preferable so that the cats can
scratch on both the sides. Some cats also like a horizontal scratching post.
Give special thought to the surface quality of the
scratching post. Firmly woven fabrics often covers commercial scratching posts
for permanence, but a cat generally like a slackly woven fabric, since its
claws clasp and rip while scratching. A carpet covering is acceptable. It is necessary
to ensure that no taut loops are present in it. Many cats favor sisal, a part
of an old chair and even bare lumber for scratching. It is advisory to use a
material that a cat prefers.
If this consumes a
lot of time, then soft claws are another beneficial alternative. Individuals
can apply these light vinyl caps over a cat’s claw. These caps have curved ends
and thus the scratching of a cat does not destroy one’s home and fittings.
It is possible to prevent a cat’s destructive scratching
by cautiously trimming the sharp tips of the cat’s claw. Two people can easily
accomplish this task. One person holds the cat, while the other cuts its nails.
Declawing:
Another solution to prevent cat scratching is declawing.
This is however a very severe action and will harm the cat. People need to
think of onychectomy, when the cat suffers a persistent infection, disturbing
wounds or neoplastic disease.
Terms such as
mayhem, mutilation, dismemberment and disjointing aptly define declawing.
Unlike to what people think, the declawing surgery includes severing of the
claws, the entire phalanges, joints, ligaments, bones, nerves and tendons.
Ten separate hurtful amputations involving the third
phalanx and the last joint of every toe is done in the declawing surgery.
Unlike the human fingernail, the cat’s claw is a segment of the final bone in
the toe.
Apart from declawing, other training methods are also
present, which cat owners may try to employ their cats to avoid scratching
indoors. Training is possible for all cats with some time , love and
consideration.
About the author
Go to Cat and Kitten Zone to get your
free ebook on Cats and Kittens.
Cat and Kitten Zone also has a Cat and Kitten Forum, Cat Breeder Information, and a Cat
and Kitten Blog with daily news on Cats. Go to www.catandkittenzone.com to visit
the site.
Tags: cat and kitten, cat scratching, clasp, declawing cats, feline behavior, hind legs, house cat, household furniture, kitten owners, lumber, old chair, permanence, play toys, scratching post, scratching posts, sisal, soft claws, surface quality, vinyl caps, woven fabric
Related Posts
- Cat Declawing, Should I Do It?
- Declawing Your Cat
- Tips On Cat Behavior Training
- What Causes Ear Problems In Cats?
- What Causes Ear Problems In Cats?
Leave a Reply