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My claws, I 'm keeping them!

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What are cat claws for?

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My claws are essential and versatile tools in my everyday life!

I use my claws to climb, scratch, jump, roll over, swing, or defend against other cats, dogs, and other predators, even humans who might try to harm me.  

 

I don't scratch furniture out of malice! Of course not! “Scratching” is part of my regular self-care routine to keep my nails clean and sharp for my personal grooming and also for self-defence.

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It's also to dislodge and remove the thin transparent sheath that grows on my claws. I clean my claws like humans clean their nails! And at the same time, this activity allows me to stretch and also tone my back and shoulder muscles!

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Did you know my kitten paws are like babies' hands? As they grow older they will become more and more important tools for life, and claws are an essential part of my paws.  

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What does declawing consist of?

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If you are thinking of adopting me and declawing my paws, to avoid any worries, I must tell you that this surgery is in fact a phalangectomy.

As its name suggests, it is an amputation of the third phalanx of each of my toes: you could say that it is the equivalent of having your fingertips amputated, at the joint located above the nails.

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It is in fact an operation which is useless! In addition, it has unfortunate consequences for my condition:  

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  • it will affect my gait since I will have to put my weight differently on my legs, which will cause physical problems.

  • It may also make me more aggressive or fearful. Did you also know that it is banned in more than 39 countries around the world? Yes, several places, including in Europe, have banned this practice. ​

 

How to prevent a cat from causing damage with its claws?

 

It's simple, just like babies, you have to educate myself: if you don't teach me, I risk doing some damage. I will be happy train my habits in complete complicity with you.  

 

Let me give you some possible solutions:

 

  • It is enough to trim or cut my claws, simply with the help of a pair of clippers, on a regular basis. With a little treat as a reward, I will let myself go and appreciate this mark of attention on your part to keep me clean and healthy.

  • Get me a good scratching post! (or two!) Nothing better than a nice post-shaped scratcher, big enough for me to stretch out more. Put it near the couch or doorframe where you wouldn't want me scratching (tip!) And I'll be happy to go!

  • Another tip, to get used to it, put some catnip on or around the post, it will make it even more attractive! And make this educational moment even more fun, to tempt me the first few times, show me how to use it! Yes yes, pretend to be a cat and scratch the post: laughs guaranteed! And we purr as a bonus!

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For an assured result during my period of education: congratulate me abundantly! And give me one of my favorite treats when I use my scratcher, or when I have cooperated in trimming my claws.

 

Everyone loves to be congratulated! This will encourage me to continue in the right direction. My fertile little mind will soon associate loving hugs and tasty treats with good behavior.

 

Thank you for understanding why I'm keeping my claws! It is important!

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