Think Twice Before You Declaw
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This article first appeared in the Winter 2006 issue of Animal Behavior Consulting: Theory and Practice, a publication of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, www.iaabc.org. Copyright 2006 The IAABC. Think Twice Before You Declaw The Itch to Scratch Cats do write. They don’t communicate Asking a cat never to scratch with a pen and paper or by using a com- is asking a cat not to act like puter keyboard. Instead, their prose is cat a cat. scratch—literally. They scratch to express their excitement and pleasure. They Most of us don’t mind that scratch to leave messages, both visual and cats scratch; what bothers us aromatic. (A cat’s paws have scent glands is where they scratch. But that leave smell-o-grams; we can’t read nearly all cats can be taught them, but other cats can.) where to scratch—and where not to. Kittens are Cats also scratch, not to sharpen their nails particularly easy to train, but to remove the worn-out sheaths from but it’s not that difficult to their claws. You see the results as little cres- teach the adults, either. The cent-moon shaped bits around scratching secret is to provide attractive areas. Scratching is good exercise, too. scratching alternatives to the sofa or stereo speakers and Scratching is normal behavior for cats. then teach the cat to use those alternatives. All cats scratch; it’s part of being a cat. Reality Check Just so you know, a typical declaw on a cat who goes outdoors, since de- (called an onychectomy) is an irre- clawed cats have been disarmed. versible surgical procedure. In many countries declaw surgery is A cat’s toe has three bones; the claw illegal. The American Association of grows from the end of the last bone. In Feline Practitioners advises veterinar- declawing, the veterinarian amputates ians never to include declawing along the end section of the last bone, which with spay/neuter as a promotional in- contains the growth plate, along with centive or to present declawing as a the nail. This can be very painful, so routine surgical procedure. pain management is critical before, during and after the procedure. Even if many cats ultimately do recover without any adverse effects, Some human amputees feel phantom why take the chance? Why put your pain long after a limb is gone, and cat through the ordeal and yourself declawed cats also may. through the expense when there are other options? Declawing should never be performed Scratching is good exercise, and it's fun. Animal Behavior Consulting: Theory and Practice Winter 2006 Think Twice Before You Declaw H ow Cats Sc ratc h Just as we have our own preferences for to or exceed the cat’s height when she their claws into. Sisal is particularly pop- either pen and paper or a computer key- is standing on her back legs. ular. Natural wood and carpeting (many board to write our prose, cats, too, have cats prefer the back side of the carpet) preferences. While almost all cats relish a A wobbly vertical scratcher that moves are also favorites. Again, it’s all about vertical scratch, many also enjoy a good and feels as if it might tip over when a individual preferences. horizontal scratch. However, all cats seem cat sinks her claws in, or a horizontal to agree about certain requirements for scratcher that easily slides along the An assortment of surfaces and scratchers their scratching surfaces. floor, is not stable enough for serious is ideal, even in a home with just one cat. scratching. And several scratching choices are Because cats like to stretch and scratch, absolutely necessary in a multi-cat favorite vertical scratchers should be equal Cats like materials they can really sink household. Scratchers 101 Effective horizontal scratchers are with materials that are easy to get at relatively inexpensive to buy from home improvement stores. a pet supply store. They are often made of corrugated cardboard and While purchasing a luxurious sometimes catnip is included to multi-level cat tree or condo play- sprinkle into slits cut in the ground is pricey, it’s likely to be scratcher. Angled cardboard less expensive than a buying a new scratchers are especially appealing sofa because the old one has been to many cats, giving them a com- shredded. The multiple surfaces and bination vertical and horizontal perches will attract feline scratchers scratch in one. of all preferences. And when the cats lounge on the cat tree, there will be Good vertical scratchers are tall less cat hair all over your house. and sturdy, with a wide, heavy bot- tom to prevent tipping. Industrious souls can build their own cat trees Cats like materials they can really sink their claws into. Location, Location When you’re thinking about where to •Near where your family congre- is scratching to express his excitement put the scratching post, keep in mind gates. to see you. Reprimanding a cat for be- that, like all real estate, location is ev- ing happy to see you is confusing and erything. Remember that cats scratch to •Near a favorite napping location, can damage your relationship with communicate, and leaving a message since cats enjoy a good stretch and your cat.) hidden in the basement or behind the scratch after awakening. washing machine is not their idea of As a part of a feline aerobic center, Reasonably close to the front door, effective communication. • such as a sprawling cat tree, which since many cats like to scratch after may also include places to climb, play You’ll need to place the scratching post their people arrive home. (Never and snooze. in places cats want to scratch. These think your cat runs to the sofa to include: scratch after you walk through the Near a window or places where door because he ’s angry that several cats gather to play and party. you’ve been away. In fact, your cat Animal Behavior Consulting: Theory and Practice Winter 2006 Think Twice Before You Declaw Scratching School Kittens are especially easy to instruct a good habit than undo a bad one. Cats kittens might not be turned on by catnip. about where to scratch, but most any learn by watching, so all you have to do is Sometimes it’s an acquired taste and a cat will learn. Realistically, it will take scratch your nails on the appropriate small percentage of cats seem to never more time to teach an adult who has scratching post and act like you’re having develop an interest in catnip.) been scratching the sofa her entire life a really good time. If your kitten follows than it will to teach a 12-weekold your example, offer a pay-off with a tasty Play with your cat around the post using an kitty. However, mostly it depends on morsel and enthusiastically tell your cat interactive toy (a fishing pole-type toy the individual cat and how good an how smart she is. Cats have huge egos; with feathers or fabric at the end). Even if instructor you happen to be. Just they love it when you tell them they’re the the cat just accidentally puts her paws on remember to be fair and consistent. greatest. the post, that’s a great start, since now your cat’s scent has been deposited on it. Con- If you’re training an impressionable Rubbing catnip on a vertical post and sistently make the area near the scratching kitten, begin the first day you bring depositing catnip within the corrugated post a playground. your baby home. It’s easier to start compartment of a horizontal scratcher will entice many adults to scratch. (Young Click and Trai n One way to teach your cat where to scratch Now entice your cat to paw at the post. Begin the next session where you left is by using a clicker to tell him when he is This might be as simple as you pointing at off—with the kitty merely touching the scratcher. Your next goal is to shape the doing the right thing. Clickers are inexpen- the post and kitty following your finger. behavior to what you really want; don’t re- sive and easy to find at pet supply stores. Also, play with him around the scratching ward the cat until he touches the scratcher post using an interactive toy. The moment First teach your cat what the clicker means. with his paw. your cat touches the post with any part of Click the clicker and drop a treat on the his body, click and offer a treat. In each successive session, hold out for a floor. (For noise-sensitive cats, clicking a behavior that’s just a little bit closer to what retractable pen will do.) Soon your cat will you want before you click and treat. Soon come running from another room when Learning sessions should never be more five to ten minutes, and even less time with your cat will be scratching at the tree. In you click because he knows the click addition to the reward it will feel good, so a kitten. While kittens may actually learn means food. Once your cat understands your cat will enjoy the experience. Once that “click” means “a treat is on the way,” faster than adults, they’re at an age when your cat begins to scratch regularly, offer you can use the sound of the clicker to train they have very short attention spans. It’s rewards only intermittently or else you’ll him to do just about anything.