A cat's claw is the anatomic equal of the last bone or digit of the human finger or toe. Therefore, declawing is the equivalent to amputating the entire tip of your finger!  My thoughts on declawing are that if someone doesn’t like the fact that a cat is naturally inclined to scratch things, then maybe they shouldn’t have a cat as a pet! Declawing your pet is an unnecessary evil and I can go on and on about how cruel and inhumane it is for anyone to declaw their pets.  My best suggestion to anyone considering declawing is to find more humane ways to control a cat’s inclination to scratch up the couch such as the brilliant new invention-Soft Paws®!

Orangina Relaxing

I adopted a cat named Kit Kat whose previous owners had him declawed and I can see firsthand how it affects Kit Kat on a daily basis.  The poor guy has nervous habits like eating the fur off his back, refusal and fear to be picked up by humans and a tendency to bite cords and chew up paper to pieces.  When I see Kit Kat next to my other cats who haven’t been declawed, I can see first hand what declawing does mentally and physically to a cat.     

Soft Paws Make Rough Play Safe Between Cats

Here are some of the detrimental effects that de-clawing can have on a cat: 1-Litter Box Avoidance: A declawed cat's toe stubs will be severely painful for days or weeks after the surgery, and "phantom limb pain" may be a lifelong legacy. Some litter box substrates are very painful to the cat's tender paws, and he may avoid the litter box entirely because of its association with pain. Owners can help by using a softer substrate such as one of the paper-based litters.  2- Biting and Aggression: A cat's claws are his primary defense against other cats, dogs, or humans who would harm him.  Lacking his claws, he may turn to biting, either in defense, or as a "warning" to humans who can't read his "body language."  Other cats may choose "flight" instead of "fight," and become withdrawn and depressed.  3-Arthritis and Crippling: Cats are "digitigrades," which means they walk on their toes. Pain in the toes can cause changes to their normal gait, which eventually can cause stiffness and pain in their legs, hips, and spine.  Anyone who has ever experienced prolonged foot pain will understand this. 

Tangerine Loves His Soft Paws

So if you are thinking about declawing your cat please think twice and look into Soft Paws®. Soft Paws® are an excellent alternative to de-clawing. They are easy to apply at home and cats and their owners love them. They are completely safe and humane and can be used on cats of all ages. Soft Paws® are vinyl nail caps that are glued on to your cat's existing nails. They look like a cat's nail, only hollow. They are easy to apply and cats tolerate them extremely well.  Soft Paws® are easy to apply. Simply fill the nail cap with the adhesive provided and slide it on over your cat's claw. The glue dries very fast.  Once the nail caps are applied they remain in place for approximately 4-6 weeks. They will fall off with the natural growth of your cat's nails. We recommend that you check your cat's nails periodically because usually just one or two fall off at a time and these can be easily reapplied.  Each kit contains 40 nail caps and will last approximately 4-6 months per cat.  

Applying Soft Paws

Mini Watching TV

Kit Kat Looking Very Serious

Mini's Soft Paws Match her Green Eyes

Copyright © 2003 - 2008 Splash Magazines Worldwide. All rights reserved.

Top of Page