If you’re thinking that your fuzzy and affectionate pet cat doesn’t have one single bit of “predator tendencies” in her system then surprise! Even domesticated cats can still hunt and kill their prey, thanks to their sharp claws. But then what happens if they are declawed?
Can declawed cats catch mice? Yes declawed cats can catch mice. Even though they’re declawed, cats can still catch mice because what they usually do is catch and pounce on their unsuspecting prey, hold it down with their paws, and kill it with one swift bite in the neck.
Then again, why should cats be declawed when their claws are their so-called form of protection and weapon? Is declawing cats necessary at all? Let’s have a detailed discussion on the connection between declawing and your pet’s natural hunting instinct to catch mice.
Is declawing cats necessary?
Declawing or onychectomy is a surgical amputation of a part or all of the cat’s third phalanges or toe bones and attached claws. Some procedures only involve front paws while for others, the claws are removed on all four paws. The surgery is done using scalpel blades or surgical lasers. It’s a painful procedure and although pain tolerance among cats is high, the usual clinical signs of pain may include a guarding posture, a reluctance to bear weight on the declawed parts, and a reluctance to move.
Some pet parents declaw their cats so they won’t be able to cause damage to household items and furniture but other than these, there isn’t much of great concern or urgency to declaw them. So, is declawing cats necessary? The answer is No. The reason is that there are many alternative ways to prevent your pets from causing damage even without declawing them.
Alternatives to declawing
You can save yourself and your cat much trouble by avoiding declawing. Here are some alternatives to declawing that’s worth a try:
Frequent nail trimming
This is a commonly-known alternative and involves trimming the nails of your pet. However, cats may still tend to scratch with the use of the remaining nails.
Use of nail caps
Vinyl nail caps have their pros and cons and are applied with the use of an adhesive and comes in a variety of fun colors. It doesn’t prevent the growth of nails and naturally falls off after a couple of weeks.
Behavioral training
This involves redirecting misbehaving cats that scratch anywhere they want to a toy or scratching post but this option works best on kittens compared to adult cats.
Use of pheromone sprays and diffusers
The use of pheromone sprays like Feliway Calming Spray relieves the anxiety that triggers scratching on furniture or carpets.
Providing scratching posts, toys, and cat trees
Since cats are natural explorers and hunters they need to have outlets to express their pent-up energy. Teach your cat to use a scratching post, cat tree or even interactive toys like laser and roller ball toys.
A cat’s claws are so-called multi-functional tools that they use when they run, climb, scratch, or as a form of defense when fighting with other cats or pets. It’s very vital when they’re hunting prey because they inflict injury once they pounce and capture it. But then again, most cats can still easily catch mice or other rodents with or without claws.
Final thoughts
Declawing can be painful and it could even lead to malformation. Just as you want the best for your pet cats, you’d also want them to be safe, unharmed, and comfortable. Please consider the available options before declawing your furry pets.