Declawing your cat can be a difficult decision. You don't want to cause your cat discomfort but you don't want your home destroyed either, and your cat may not be responding to your training. Your cat's vet will discuss the pros and cons with you so you can decide if declawing is right for your situation. Here are a few things you want to keep in mind if you decide to have the surgery done.
Consider Having The Procedure Done As A Kitten
A cat can be declawed at any time, but kittens seem to recover faster and have an easier time with the surgery. If you're getting a new kitten rather than an adult cat, talk to your vet about the best time to have the declaw surgery. Sooner might be better than later. However, don't let claws keep you from adopting an older cat that needs a home. An older cat can be declawed even if the recovery time is longer.
Change Kitty Litter To A Softer Material
Declawing is a type of surgery that involves removing part of the bones on the ends of your cat's toes. That means a full recovery could take a few weeks. Since your cat will have sore feet until the surgery has healed, you may need to change your kitty litter to a softer material or your cat may start going on the floor. Since cats don't take to change very well, you may need to transition to the softer kitty litter a few weeks before the surgery. Start by mixing in a little of the new litter with the old litter to introduce it gradually. Keep adding more soft litter and less old litter until your cat feels comfortable with the change.
Keep Strays Indoors After Being Declawed
If you're taking in a stray cat, be sure the cat will be happy living indoors the rest of its life before you remove its claws. Claws are your cat's line of defense when attacked by another cat, dog, or raccoon. Your cat could be seriously injured if let outside after being declawed. You may need to take special steps to ensure your cat can't sneak outside when you open the door to your home, especially if the cat has been feral or stray for a long time. You might try a double entry that encloses a porch or patio in screen and a screen door so one door is always shut in case your cat bolts though. At the very least, you may want to train your cat to avoid the door so you don't have to worry about your cat every time you open the door.
Once your cat has been declawed and fully recovered, you should be able to coexist more peacefully since you won't have to worry about your cat ripping up your expensive furniture. Sometimes, declawing is the best choice and the only choice that keeps your cat in a happy and loving home. For more information, contact establishments like Animal House Veterinary Hospital.
Share28 August 2017
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