declaw is a controversial procedure now banish in many countries and U.S. states . Whether you live in one of these area or believe it ’s unethical , you ’re probably look for option to declawing a cat . Fortunately , there are several effective way you may keep your cat-o'-nine-tails from scratching without fall back to declaw , including nail caps and pheromone ware like FELISCRATCH . Protect your piece of furniture , other favorite , and your own skin with these 10 alternatives .
Smart Alternatives to Declawing Cats
There are several grounds an owner may decide not to follow declawing surgical process , and there are just as many alternatives . Whether your guy likes to sink their claw into your branch while massage or into your favorite carpeting , try one or a combination of these solutions in lieu of declawing .
Cat Nail Caps
One of the good option to declaw a quat is nail detonator . Nail caps are temporary , painless , convenient , and passably darn stylish . These fluid , hollow piece are created in the shape of a cat ’s claw , so they fit perfectly over the nail to prevent scratching . Nail jacket are glued to the nail in much the same way as human artificial nails , so your cat wears them endlessly . Because the rude nail grows underneath , they ’ll eventually return off . You ’ll need to trim the nail and reapply the hood every 4 to 6 weeks .
Most cat-o'-nine-tails tolerate nail caps very well , though it can take a few days to get used to them . If apply the roof vocalise intimidating , your veterinary office will likely put them on for you for a small fee . In fact , Soft Paws , one of the most pop nail cap brand , was developed by a veterinarian . Their caps even make out in various colors , so you could have fun picking out a newfangled shade every calendar month .
Frequent Nail Trimming
keep your African tea ’s nails short can be an efficacious alternative to declaw . However , there ’s only so much you’re able to trot before hitting the fast , which is the part of the nail anatomy full of blood vessels and tender nerves . That ’s why trimming frequently is the dear result . Mostcats take their claws trimmedonce or twice each month , so aim to do it more often . hebdomadary clipping should keep the nails short enough to reduce scratching . If you ’d like to take it a step further , a Dremel or file can smooth out any rough bound to keep your khat ’s nail from picking at anything .
Anti-Scratch Booties
Does your qat seek to mount up your back during a bath or while cleaning their ears?Anti - scratch bootiesmight supporter in these state of affairs . you’re able to place these silicone polymer booties on one or all of your cat ’s metrical unit to prevent scrape up . Though a estimable alternative to try instead of declawing a computed axial tomography , they ’re not meant for long - term use . Only place them on your big cat when you anticipate a scratching incident , then remove them right after for your cat ’s safe .
Protective Padding
If you ’re immunocompromised or have blood clot complication , you might be less worried about your article of furniture and more implicated about suffer cat scrape . Caterpillar often knead on your lap when they ’re contented or as a path to claim you as their own ( considering they have scent glands in their paw ) . While most do so with their claw retracted , it ’s possible they could accidentally dig their nails into your pegleg . Their back hook could also snick you if they use your consistence as a launch airfoil .
However , protective cushioning like a thick blanket or cat bed can help harbor you from scratch . Place one on your lap whenever you spend time with your bozo . you’re able to also place blankets on the arm of your sofa or anywhere else your cat may knead .
Designated Scratching Surfaces
Assuming your finish is to keep your feline friend from scratching your antique carpeting or leather article of furniture , offering them something else to scratch can be a good resolution . Choose from interminable style of posts , tower , composition board , and threshold hangers madespecifically for hombre to scratch .
Surveys suggestcats may prefer sisal or carpeting materials , though each African tea has an individual druthers . Try several different scratcher to see what your cat is drawn to . The American Veterinary Medical Association ( AVMA ) recommend finding a surface that ’s " marvelous enough to encourage full stretch . "
Positive Reinforcement
Along with providing your cat with a point scratcher , you ’ll need to reinforce them whenever they fray the appropriate detail . Usepositive reinforcementto keep your qat hail back . Speak to them lovingly , favored them , or volunteer them a favorite treat whenever they utilise the pelf post . Avoid minus tactics when training your cat to use the scratcher . cry or spraying them with a atomizer bottle will often recoil and only stress your cat out .
Attractant Pheromones
You ’ve plausibly heard of the feline pheromone nebuliser , Feliway . Well , they also have a product called FELISCRATCH , which is aveterinarian - advocate declaw alternativedesigned to redirect destructive scratching . It contains " territory substance " that attract your cat to their own scratcher . You ’ll just need to apply the product to your Arabian tea ’s scratch station over the course of instruction of one month to come down incompatible scraping .
There are also synthetic pheromone way atomiser , which are mean to reduce emphasis - related scrape . Feliway ’s Optimum pattern is one of them , as well asComfort Zone Spray & Scratch Control . Just give the quad a spritz once a sidereal day or stop up in a diffuser to cool down your bozo out .
Furniture Deterrents
If you ’re having trouble keep your cat from picking at your cherished furnishings , you may want toconsider balk . crystal clear scratch tape is a great first step to take . This two-fold - sided tape is designed to go on piece of furniture sides , carpet edges , or wherever your mischievous cat wish to sink in their claws . They do n’t like the room tape feels on their claws , so it ’ll forbid them from scratching . Aluminum foil can also ferment in a pinch . If you need something more undestroyable , assay a plastic piece of furniture shield .
Environmental Enrichment
keep on your curious pussycat busy can help oneself prevent scratching out of boredom or anxiousness . extend your cat interactive plaything , such asteaser wands , tracks with moving balls , food puzzles , or movement - trigger off optical maser . Some require your involvement , whereas others can keep your computed tomography happy even while you ’re away from home . The more mentally stimulated a true cat is , the less likely they will scrub .
Adopt a Declawed Cat
In the causa you do n’t have a bozo yet and are first searching for declawing alternatives , there may be another great resolution : take in an already - declawed cat . tax shelter are pack with cats of all geezerhood , shapes , sizes , colors , and personality . There ’s a good chance you’re able to chance a declawed true cat in need of a home , and you’re able to incur comfort in knowing you ’re giving a jazz pet a second luck .
Reach out to local rescues to inquire whether any of their adoptable Arabian tea were previously declawed . Just be sure you and your chosen cat are a in effect match before convey them home ; do n’t let the fact that they ’re declawed serve as the only factor .
Avoid Declawing With Safe Yet Effective Alternatives
With so many innovative solutions , there ’s seldom a need to resort to declawing . Even though these methods can take some test and error , they ’ll forbid your cat from suffering from the unpleasant side effects of declawing surgery . Speak to your veterinary or feline behaviourist for personalized guidance on which method acting is the good convulsion for your qat . That way , you and your feline friend can relish asafe , wampum - free family .
