Checkout 10 Alternatives To Declawing A Cat
The most common alternatives to declawing a cat may include nail trimming. However, there are recommended alternatives to declawing a cat you may not know about. This article will be focused on 10 other alternatives you can go for rather than declawing your cat. Let’s get right into it:
1. Nail Trimming
Nail trimming is the first alternative you should consider if you do not want to declaw your cat.
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When you trim your cat’s nails, you prevent it from using its long nails to scratch surfaces, pieces of furniture, and other stuff in your home. It is also another means to make your cat appear neat and friendly.
For instance, when the nails of your cat are low, you can allow your baby to play with it and it would be completely safe. Also, visitors who are fond of cats can have fun petting your cat because they would not be harmed by its claws. So, nail trimming should be your first option if you wish not to declaw your cat.
2. Provide A Scratcher
For some cats, nail trimming may not always work for them. This is because they would still scratch regardless of the length of their nails. They could go for little things like paper, walls, or something lighter. So, to tackle this problem, providing a scratcher may be the best alternative.
The designated scratcher should always be beside your cat. Within a short time, your cat would get to realize that the scratcher provided is best for its scratching needs. The scratcher may be in the form of carpets, rugs, or something a little tough.
3. Specific Training
Training your cat is also one way to reduce a cat from scratching or damaging objects with its claws. Specific training such as stopping your cat from scratching or distracting your cat when it is about to scratch could help. 
Many cat owners have found it helpful to use words to train their cats. Using words such as “No” when your cat is about to scratch and then stopping it from doing so is one way to reduce scratching. When your cat understands the time when you use the “No” command, it would lose interest in scratching with time.
4. Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is another effective alternative to declawing a cat. Positive reinforcement works alongside the specific training approach.
One way you can do this is by providing a treat for your cat each time you stop it from scratching. By doing this, you distract the cat from its focus, and with time the interest is no longer there.
So, what’s your cat’s favorite food? Could you have one in place to try this hack? It is wise to note that this trick would not yield immediate results, but with time, you would start to see results.
5. Get Your Cat A Toy
For animals such as dogs, a toy could help provide the needed distraction you want. Similarly, cats too also share the same characteristics. A toy such as one which is fluffy or squeaky raises the curiosity of your cat.
So, your cat would be busy trying to play with the toy, and in the next few weeks, the desire to scratch things would gradually decrease.
6. Using Diffusers or Sprays
Diffusers and sprays are other harmless ways to stop your cat from destructively using its nails. An anti-scratch spray is a very effective equipment often used for this operation.
When you get the anti-scratch spray, walk down to the location where your cat often scratches and spray it there. The spray would help repel the cat from going towards that area to scratch. You can get one in any pet store near you.
In discussing alternatives to declawing a cat, we’ve so far considered 6 options you can go for. If after reading this, you still decide that declawing your cat is the best option, then read the next subheading.
Dangers Of Declawing A Cat
Declawing a cat could lead to several consequences. Here are some demerits of declawing your cat:
1. Bone Spurs May Build Up
One danger of declawing your cat is that it could lead to the formation of bone spurs as they grow. Aside from that fact, it would cause pain to the cat for the rest of its life. Is that what you want for your cat?
Your cat may experience pain in those areas in walking which may even affect their survival. That’s not all. When they grow old, they may also be vulnerable to arthritis and other bone-related problems.
2. It May Be Illegal Where You Live
Because of the pain felt by cats during and after this process, many states have passed a bill declaring declawing of cats illegal. This is no joke as you could be prosecuted if you’re found guilty of such action.
In some parts of the USA and Canada, and also in countries such as Brazil and Australia, declawing a cat is illegal. It is taken as an inhumane action and is listed under the animal cruelty section. So, instead of taking such a risk, don’t you think you should apply the alternatives given?
FAQ
Is there an alternative to declawing a cat?
There are 10 well-known alternatives to declawing a cat. They include cat nail trimming, the use of nail caps, and the use of diffusers of spray to mention just a few.
What is better than declawing a cat?
Rather than declawing a cat, it is better to just trim your cat’s nails. If you can’t do that, then getting nail caps for your cat would be best.
What happens if you don’t declaw your cat?
Declawing your cat is bad. Instead of declawing, it is better to try alternatives such as nail trimming, nail caps, etc.
Conclusion
You’ll agree that the alternatives to declawing a cat given in this article are not far-reaching they’re very attainable. Rather than putting your cat at risk by declawing, go for any of the alternatives mentioned above. When you do this, yo
u preserve the life of your cat.
