It’s one of the questions we hear most from cat owners here in Wichita: “Should I have my cat declawed?” It usually comes from a good place. Your couch is taking a beating, or you’re worried about scratches around the house. So we want to answer it honestly.
Our veterinarians don’t recommend declawing
Declawing is more than a nail trim. It’s a procedure that can be very stressful for a cat, and it can actually create new problems instead of solving the one you started with. We commonly see declawed cats develop increased aggression and litter box issues, because the procedure changes how they experience the world and, sometimes, how their paws feel afterward.
The good news is that destructive scratching is almost always manageable with a little strategy, and you get to keep your cat exactly as nature designed them.
Start with paw handling early
If you have a kitten, this is the single best thing you can do. Gently handle their paws often, from a young age, so being touched there feels normal. Cats who are used to having their feet handled are far easier to give nail trims to as adults, and regular trims take a lot of the damage out of scratching.
Give them better places to scratch
Scratching is a deep, healthy instinct. Cats do it to stretch, mark their territory, and care for their claws. The trick isn’t to stop it, it’s to redirect it. Here’s what tends to work:
- Put a scratching post in every room. Cats scratch where they live, so one lonely post in the basement won’t cut it.
- Offer different materials. Try carpet, wicker, cardboard, and sisal. Most cats have a strong preference, and you’ll quickly learn theirs.
- Mix up the orientation. Some cats like posts that stand tall so they can stretch upward; others prefer pads that lie flat on the floor. Having both gives them options.
Place the new scratchers near the furniture your cat already targets. Once they’ve got a more satisfying option right there, the couch usually loses its appeal.
Still struggling? Let’s talk
If your cat is scratching destructively and the usual tricks aren’t working, there’s almost always a reason behind it, and a behavioral consultation can get to the bottom of it. As a Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice, we think a lot about what makes cats comfortable, and we use stress-free techniques to keep visits calm. Reach out to our Wichita clinic and we’ll help you find a solution that works for your cat and your furniture.
The Skaer Veterinary Clinic Team
