Scratching is a normal behavior that conditions the claws, serves as
a visual and scent mark, and is a means of stretching. However, when
scratching is directed at furniture or members of the family, it is
unacceptable. In most cases scratching can be prevented with environmental
and behavioral management. Inappropriate scratching can be prevented
by keeping the cat away from problem areas and trimming the nails regularly,
while acceptable scratching can be allowed and encouraged by providing
a proper scratching post. Should the cat continue to scratch in an inappropriate
area, the post could be moved to that area, and/or the scratched furniture
can be covered with a less appealing material (plastic, a loosely draped
piece of material). Remote punishment (e.g. water rifle) and environmental
punishment (sticky tape, motion detectors, Scat Mats®) can be used to
deter further scratching of an area. Some owners may want to consider
plastic nail coverings (Soft Paws®) which can be glued over the claws
monthly. The AAHA pamphlet on destructive cats or the client handout
that can be printed from the Information by Prescription Lifelearn diskette
on behavior provide owners with information on scratching post training
and declawing. (See behavior resource list for details).
For those owners with destructive cats who cannot train them to use
a scratching post, declawing and digital flexor tendenectomies are other
options. Although the tendonectomy is a less invasive precedure, it
is not a practical option unless the owners are willing and capable
of caring for the nails (i.e. trimming) which will continue to grow
(and no longer able to be shed and conditioned by scratching). The primary
reasons for declawing are property damage or the risk of injury to people
or other pets.1,2 Occasionally, the welfare of a family member
may be best protected by declawing the family cat (e.g. humans with
compromised immune status due to HIV, immunosuppressive therapy, etc.).
Declawing allows the family to keep the cat and enjoy the rewards of
pet ownership. Declawing means that fewer cats need to be rehomed or
destroyed and that more cats can be placed.
In numerous studies to date, declawing has been shown to cause no increase
in behavior problems.1,2,3,4,5,6 In fact, many cats continue
to scratch furniture after declawing, but caused no significant damage.
In a study of over 850 cats, declawed cats were no more likely to bite,
than clawed cats.4 In a study of 276 cat owners, declawing
successfully met or surpassed the owner’s expectations in all cases.1
There was 96% owner satisfaction at the time of the study (up from 81%
prior to surgery) and over 70% of cat owners indicated that there was
an improvement in the cat-owner relationship.1 In a study
of veterinarians in Ontario, it was estimated that over 50% of owners
of declawed cats would not have owned or kept their cats, had they not
been declawed.2 This is consistent with studies that have
examined the factors associated with the reasons for surrendering a
cat to an animal shelter , in which behavior problems (including scratching)
were a major reason for surrender,7 while being declawed
decreased the risk of relinquishment.6
1. Landsberg G. Cat owners’ attitudes toward declawing. Anthrozoos,
4:3, p. 192, 1991
2. Landsberg G. Declawing is controversial but still saves pets, a
veterinarian survey. Veterinary Forum, September 1991
3. Bennett M, Houpt KA, Erb HN: Effects of declawing on feline behavior.
Comp Animal Pract 2:7, 1988
4. Borchelt PL, Voith VL. Aggressive behavior in cats. Compend Contin
Educ Vet Pract 1;9, p. 49, 1987
5. Morgan M, Houpt KA. Feline behavior problems. The influence of declawing.
Anthrozoos, 3:1, p. 50, 1989
6. Patronek GJ, Glickman LT, Beck AM, et al. Risk factors for relinquishment
of cats to an animal shelter. J Am Vet Med Assoc, vol. 209, 3, 582-588,
1996
7. Miller DD, Staats SR, Partlo C, Rada K. Factors associated with
the decision to surrender a pet to an surrender a pet to an animal shelter.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 209, 4, 738-742, 1996