Declawing is a painful procedure that has long-term physical and emotional effects. Main Menu

The thing we love so much about cats is their nature: tame, but so close to the wild. Your cat, slinking along the sofa back, is nothing if not a miniature mountain lion. Understanding why cats scratch, knowing that it isn't "bad" behavior but part and parcel of the feline nature, may make this habit easier to live with. Keep in mind that once you decide to share your home with an animal, there may be a certain amount of household damage. In exchange, you receive years of wonderful companionship.

Scratching is one of the definitive feline behaviors. As cats scratch, they release scent from their paws, which serves as a way of marking territory. This routine also provides a feline fitness session, working back, shoulder and leg muscles, supplying a good, long stretch and shedding the dead outer layer of the claws. Scratching behavior is so innate that even declawed cats will go through the motions.

Declawing is a painful procedure that has long-term physical and emotional effects, but there are some simple alternatives. Clip your cat's nails regularly. Blunt claws are less likely to shred upholstery than the sharp hooks you're snipping off, and trimming once a week will keep the claw from growing into a hook. Invest some time in encouraging your cat to use a scratching post instead of furniture. Or try one of the many products designed to save furniture.