by Beverley Williams

Created on: February 05, 2007   Last Updated: April 30, 2007

Cats are independent, territorial and instinctive predators - the fact that they look cute and fluffy and meow up at us in that endearing way should not fool anyone. They use their claws for all manner of behaviours that are quintessentially 'cat', for example, climbing, catching prey, signalling ownership of their territory by scratching objects and defending that territory from unwelcome interlopers. Now admittedly, some of these behaviours are not entirely appropriate within our homes and we'd really rather they didn't bring us presents back, but to deny a cat the ability to express these behaviours at all by declawing seems to me to be a tragedy for the cat, particularly when there are other options.

Indoors,cats scratch for a variety of reasons - as part of their personal grooming to keep their claws healthy, to signal their ownership (it is their house after all, not yours), in play as they sprint on claw-tips in 3D around obstacles both real and imagined, in a display of frustration or boredom, and occasionally in defense against those nasty humans who have got that nasty cat box out that always means a trip to the nasty vet. The trick is to minimise the potential destruction to your home, and your fingers, by persuading this deceptively cute furball to focus essential scratching in an appropriate place, and by making your home such an interesting and secure place that much of the other scratching simply stops.

Buying, or even making a scratching post out of a wooden pole and base, a bit of carpet and some sisal rope will deal with the claw maintenance - praise them or give them treats every time you see them even sniffing it and they'll soon get the idea.

Keeping visits by strange cats or dogs to a minimum, providing access to plenty of high points like shelves, windowsills the top of a wardrobe that they can retreat to if feeling unsure of human visitors, and keeping at least one room out of bounds for all visitors to which the cat can retreat to in extremis will all help your furry f(r)iend feel more secure in its home, and less compelled to scratch its name in the furniture.

In addition to the interesting views provided by high places, regular play sessions with dangly cat toys (though old bits of shoe lace work just as well) and ping pong balls for those instances when these humans just aren't moving the toys fast enough will vastly reduce any boredom and frustration.

Dropping an old towel on them and scooping the whole bundle into the cat box should save your fingers when its time to make that vet trip (although I have been known to just ring the vet up and tell them the patient doesn't want to come, and is obviously feeling much better as I've just spent the last 20 minutes chasing them round the house to no avail - judging by the laugh on the other end of the phone, I'm not the only one).

There is no total solution to cats flexing their claws, but damage can be significantly reduced with a bit of thought as to your cats surroundings, and there is always the water pistol approach for any particularly prized items of furniture. I would recommend having a cat or two around to anyone, provided that they are prepared for the odd tatty corner on the furniture. If you really don't feel that you can live with claws, I would politely suggest that you and your cat might be happier if you re-home home your cat with someone who can and try a different type of pet.

Learn more about this author, Beverley Williams.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.