The process of declawing in a cat is known as amputation. Typically, people go for declawing either the entire joint or some part of it. On the contrary, this could be a result of an accident resulting in amputation. No matter, what the cause of declawing remains, people have a reservation in adopting a declawed cat.
Confusion with Adopting declawed cat
Although declawing is never a recommended procedure yet, many declawed cats show up as an option for cat adoption. This kind of frizzles people, and a plethora of questions consume up to their minds. The case of declawing brings up a cat with two paws or four paws declawed. Many people might think it is unusual and may not prefer picking up a cat expecting pain issues with such a cat.
Reasons for getting a cat declawed
One lot of cat owners, going for intentional declawing thinks that this could help them stop cat from scratching around the house. But it is essential to understand this is a behavioral thing and has nothing to do with declawing. Thus it would rarely prevent the cat from scratching and throwing around. Besides this, intentional amputation can surface other issues like pain, mood swings, tendency to bite, and even littering issues. A wise person would never recommend declawing a cat out of choice except when rendered mandatory due to some medical point.
The issue with a declawed cat
A person aiming at cat adoption might not understand it or cater to it as any issue at all. Yet, in the feline world, a declawed cat is quite a deal. The loss of paw invites an attack of chronic pain, which gives rise to behavioral changes, mood swings, and various related health complications and complaints. It mandates understanding few facts about them before deciding their fate and finally adopting a declawed cat.
Understanding temperament issues
Behavioral changes with either harsh mood could be a possible trait of a declawed cat. Before adopting a declawed cat, one might think if it is the right thing to do. A little patience and understanding of the root cause of these tantrums, puts you in a better potion in handling them.
They might be in a state of constant pain or suffering from chronic pain. Their helplessness in defending themselves and not playing with mud might add to the cat’s frustration. In turn, it affects the behavior, making it less pleasing for the cat owner. Being straightforward and calm about it allows your cat to have faith in you, end anxiousness turned into anger. This takes time and by dealing the process patiently.
Outdoor behavior of cats
It is essential to understand that claw is quite a tool of defense for the cats. One without a foot shall face issues with its protection when entering into a neighboring cat’s fight. Not fighting back leaves the cat in a state of helplessness.
When in park or out for a walk, such episodes may happen. But the owner might not be available every time to save the cat so the best option is to leave the cat indoors.
Other animals, be it cats, dogs, or any in the surrounding, would be a threat to your cat if left unsupervised, especially outdoors.
Having Other Pets
If the declawed cat is not your first pet, you should add the new member by introducing it to the old members. However, it is essential to take the process slow and keep it growing at a gradual pace. Make sure in doing so you observe the pets closely for their behaviors and interaction.
In case of a pleasant interaction, treat your pets with some food delight. However, get away if you sense some tension. But don’t give up on their interaction; keep going with it every while. Keep barriers amongst them at the start but let them down slowly until they mix well.
Training cats for Litter Box
The lately declawed cats come up with a problem of littering. Usually, a cat with paws can dig a hole and make a liter hole. But the one declawed, failing to do any such thing, ends up littering on your rugs or any suitable area, not appreciable, though.
Under such conditions, worrying around won’t help. It is quite an issue demanding your patience and a bit of help. One needs to train the cat for defecating at the right place. It would help if you took the cat to the bathroom, a secure site dedicated to this activity. It could also be a box or litter tray or some soft stuff like a rug, where it’s easier to collect the litter.
You can leave the cat with food, water, and a quiet place like the rug to eliminate the stuff. A couple of days of enforcement or keeping them intact in a room would make it a habit out of them. Later replacing it with a litter box will be the right thing, helping you save time from clearing the mess.
The re-growth of claw
If the declawing surgery for some unknown reason goes wrong, the cat can experience re-growth. It is not something normal, and the claw growing back is neither standard. The feline adopted with recent declawing can experience pain due to the re-growth with some irritation in the mood. Adopting declawed cat, one who had plans should watch out for the cat to complain about any sign of pain. Looking at the veterinarian advice is the only wise solution to this. He might present his expert opinion as per the case.
Special needs
Your newly adopted declawed kitty has a particular need as care and home and managing it all across. In addition to this, the cat may have arthritis. In turn, it will bring up the case of pain. The behavior of the cat translates that. A separate home, a unique setup will be needed and taken care of, rather than letting them away in a random shelter home.
Remember, a declawed cat has special needs, demanding special attention. It may not adjust to abrupt changes or get along with the norm, in contrast to an average cat.
Food requirements for declawed cats
The cat may have specific dietary needs. One needs to think of it, especially when adopting a declawed cat.
- In this matter, the vet should be referred and while switching the cat to a suitable diet as per his recommendations. So is the case with the medication and physical activities allowed for the cat especially for an old cat’s diet take good care of it.
- In addition to this, one may need to feed the cat with some supplements to meet special health needs. Also, this will help them fight out the pain due to arthritis or declawed joints. Make sure you have your vet’s recommendation before having any supplement added.
- Cat’s diet should have glucosamine and omega 3. The former helps them have better joints, especially when dealing with arthritis, while the latter helps to wither away the pain. It helps lower the pain and increasing the quality of life.
Questions catered when adopting a declawed cat
Is it OK to have the cat declawed?
If one is plans of having the cat declawed to keep it from scratching around the house, it vicious and abhorred. By doing so, one removes the joint, affecting its mobility and adding a permanent cause of pain to the cat’s life. Thus, if not medically required, never opt for this option.
Why people get cat declawed?
Some people think that this keeps the cat from being destructive. They can prevent the cat from throwing around, scratching stuff, and being a constant source of repair at home. However, it has nothing to do with cat behavior, thus rarely helps.
Is adopting a declawed cat a wise option?
Keeping them in a shelter home may not be the best choice to save the declawed cat of pain and suffering. Many people are a bit reluctant to adopt a cat owing to the unique needs of the cat. On the other hand, many people are sensitive enough to provide them extraordinary care by taking them home instead of leaving them to a shelter house.
How can I keep a declawed cat happy?
Different cats can have different experiences and responses to the amputation. Many become short-tempered and in a constant state of pain. While others get happier for having them out of a continuous state of defense and fight. Treating them with love and care will help.
Do declawed cats suffer from pain?
Yes, this takes in the process of amputation, which is an invasive surgery. Thus, this brings in inherent pain associated with surgery. A vet can prescribe medicine like a pain killer and others to fight down infection and swelling, accompanying amputation.
Do cats change after the declawing experience?
Scientifically there is no co-relation in declawing and changes in the personality. However, this could have a traumatic effect with a painful lifetime experience for the cat. It can bring in some behavioral changes in the cat if compared to a healthy cat.
What are cat litter options available for a declawed cat?
The declawed cat might be spotted littering outside the litter box. It is inherently due to pain associated with the affected paws. Thus, sensitivity makes it leave the litter box and opt for more comfortable options. One can, however, bring in softer alternatives with a rug-like feel when the cat steps on. Some of the available options are: wood and the other being natural wheat cat litter. Timber and wheat are popular, safer, and affordable than conventional clay litters.
Is it human to declaw a cat?
Declawing act accounts for an insensitive attitude towards the cats. And getting them declawed is entirely inhumane.
Is it legal to declaw a cat?
The act of declawing the cat is callous. People tend to do that to avert cats from scratching around in the house. Many others might be surprised on this intentional amputation and consider it to be an outcome of some accident. Declawing is not about removing the nail but having the joints removed.
In turn, it causes many health issues in the cat and is banned in many countries.
What does declawing do to cats?
Declawing is removing the joint of the cat affecting its paw, thus, its ability to move. It is equaling to having the toes removed and causing trouble with mobility. It also adds a state of constant pain in the cat’s life and the threat of early onset of lifetime arthritis. Thus cat faces discomfort, which can lead to further complications.
How to keep a declawed cat relaxed?
If you plan to adopt a declawed cat, here are few things you should learn to practice
Keep a check on the paw.
Poor declawing surgery may lead to re-growth of paw, resulting in an ingrown toenail. One should be careful with any growth below the skin. In addition to this, one can gently tap the toe. It will relax the cat and make it feel loved.
Keep a check on the cat’s weight.
A declawed cat can be found lazy and lying all day around. Probably putting weight on legs heightens the complaint of arthritis and pain. It keeps the cat from physical activity. But this might add to the mass, bringing in trouble with obesity and other related health predicaments. A point to note here is that obesity can be troubling in the long run as it adds to pressure on the joints.
Briefly, a cat having compromised mobility might gain weight. Keeping a standard measure of a cat’s weight is possible by feeding it right and having some safe physical activities.
Fetch some toys to the cat
Cats usually, when play, tend to have a frequent utility of the toes and paws. On the other hand, a declawed cat would have issues playing with toys that involve the use of toes, so don’t get surprised when a cat sits on its toys. But to keep them healthy and delighted, one needs to come up with alternatives to the conventional choices. Some of the options available in this lot are stuffed toys and toys with strings attached. With these options, you can have the cat bite the stuff. It encourages the cat to play more, enjoy more, and stress less on its loss.
In short, healthy cats grip their toys from toes which might be challenging for a declawed one. Bringing them stuffed will keep them healthy and gay. Also, with little practice, you can make it grip toys. It makes them comfortable with declawing and having a good life.
Mark a scratch spot on the carpet
It might appear funny at first read, but as a matter of fact, this will be an excellent exercise for the cat. It helps them stretch, have a playful feel, and enable develop better grip. One thing to be careful about this is to have a softer spot. A rough surface can be problematic and may cause injury to them.
Hopefully, all the points in the article serve as guiding light when adopting a declawed cat.
