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CAT SCRATCHING Part 3 The Facts About Declawing

The definition of declawing is to remove not only the claw but also the last connecting bone (distal phalanx) in the cat's toe. In reality, this consists of 10 separate amputations of the each distal phalanx. It is a painful procedure during the surgery, followed by the recovery period with swelling in the toes.

Complications may arise from declawing a cat and include the following:

• Regrowth of a deformed claw.
• Loss of balance and agility due to not having the claws to stabilize it's equilibrium.
• Lameness due to wound infection or footpad laceration.
  
• Hemorrhaging when the bandages are removed.
• Slow and painful healing process due to bone chips that have shattered and were not completely removed during the surgery.
• Chronic back and joint pain due to weakening of the muscles.
  

It is not uncommon for a cat to have a change in it's personality after getting declawed, especially in older cats. Behavioral problems that have resulted from declawing include increased aggressiveness, inappropriate biting and voiding outside the litter box to mark it's territory as it can no longer scratch to leave a mark. In extreme cases, these problem become such a burden that the cat is abandoned. It may die of starvation on the street as it can't catch any prey or end up in an overcrowded shelter and ultimately be euthanized. Claws are a cat's primary defense, without which it is left vulnerable and unable to defend itself. This may present a problem if the cat is an outdoor cat, there is another cat in the home that is not declawed or there are other animals in the home, such as dogs.

In the United States declawing has been popular practice. This may be attributed to most cats in the United States being domesticated and strictly indoor. However there are numerous European countries that consider declawing illegal or extremely inhumane and only to be preformed under extreme circumstances. These include the following countries : England. Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Germany,Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.

Declawing should used as last resort after all other interventions have been tried. Alternatives to declawing include providing the cat with an object to scratch such as a post or using Soft Paws, which are vinyl nail caps that cover the existing claws. A consultation with an animal behaviorist may be an effective way to develop a behavioral plan on how to curb destructive scratching.

One of the many services that California Paws offers is consultation for behavior problems with cats. Please email us at www.californiapaws.biz. If you or some one you know lives in San Francisco, California Paws also offers cat sitting and in-home boarding. When your furry friend comes to stay with us, we have an array of fun toys and a cat tower to scratch to it's hearts content. Please email us at californiapaws@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

CAT SCRATCHING Part 1 Why cats scratch?

There are cat owners all over the world that have long harbored feelings of frustration wondering why their furry friend proceeds to scratch up all their possessions from the curtains to the furniture. Some may take it personally and even feel guilty thinking that kitty is not happy with them or not getting enough attention.

While in fact, cats do tend to have a temperamental nature, there are several logical reasons which explain the scratching. It is part of their natural instinct to scratch as a way to mark their territory. When a cat scratches, not only does it leave a visible mark, but it's paws also emit a unique scent. If your cat spends a lot of time on your comfortable leather sofa, he may be inclined to scratch it as a way of taking ownership for it. A cats claws serve as one of their best and most important defenses for protections. This is essential for outdoor cats as they may encounter other cats or big dogs outside of the home.

Scratching is an excellent way for a cat to exercise and groom itself. The act of scratching allows the cat to remove the dead outer layer of it's claws. It also exercises the front quarter muscles of the leg and facilitates stretching.

Cats often show affection and pleasure by kneading. This may be on your lap, on something soft or on uneven surfaces such as wicker baskets. When a cat kneads with it's claws out, may do this for the simple reason that it feels good and is relaxing.

Once you understand your cat's need to scratch, it is then possible to channel his scratching to a specific designated object such a scratching post. This is a great compromise and everyone is happy. You can keep your furniture in pristine condition and your cat can scratch his post to his heart's content.

California Paws offers cat behavior consultations and would be happy to answer any questions you may have on cat behavior. Please email questions to californiapaws@yahoo.com. If you live in San Francisco and need a professional cat sitter or cat boarding, consider California Paws, the trusted name in cat care. We welcome you to visit our website at www.californiapaws.biz.

The Psychology Of A Cat

Cats are mysterious animals, each with a distinct personality and idiosyncrasies all of their own. While cats may be affectionate, they tend to maintain a high degree of independence in when and how they relate to others; whether they chose to seek attention or to remain solitary.

These furry felines use body language almost exclusively to communicate. A cat’s whiskers convey their attitude. When they are angry or in a defensive stance, the whiskers lie flat against the face, where else, they point forward when a cat is feeling friendly and inquisitive.

A cat’s temperament can vary with their specific breed and level of socialization. A cat that was not socialized as a kitten may present as guarded, isolative and exhibit aggressive behaviors towards other cats and strangers. Such behaviors can be addressed using behavior modification plans. California Paws offers consultation services for behavioral problems you may be having with your kitty.

Purring is universally associated with a cat expressing contentment and happiness. However, it can also signify distress, anxiety or severe illness. As you learn to understand your cat, you will notice that it’s "meow” has numerous pitches, each one carrying a different meaning altogether. Some may be commands, others requests or complaints.

The tail also signifies how a cat is feeling. When it’s held high, this is a sign of happiness, a half-raised tail shows less pleasure and unhappiness is indicated when a tail is held low. When the tips of the tail twitches, a cat is usually angry or in hunting mode, while larger twitching means displeasure.

As a general rule, cats sleep more that most animals in order to conserve energy. Cats can sleep up to 20 hours in a 24 hour period. The daily duration of sleep varies, usually 12-16 hours but averages 13-14 daily.

A cat’s sense of smell is 14 times stronger than that of a human, allowing them to smell things you may not even be aware of. It also explains why your cat may run around the house at night prowling.

If you have a cat that is especially active at night, it is recommended to play with your cat for about 2 hours before your bedtime. It is crucial that play occurs at the same time daily. This assists in re-setting your cat’s circadian rhythm. As cats are by nature hunters, all play should include the six elements of hunting. These are Stalk, Run, Pounce, Catch, Kill and Eat. A snack will suffice and alert the cat that the cycle of play is complete. It then can shift focus into grooming and sleeping and this means a good night sleep for you!

California Paws offers expert cat care for you. Whether it is a visit in your home or in-home boarding you have the guarantee that an experienced cat professional will provide the best and most comprehensive care possible. Please visit us at www.californiapaws.biz and learn how we can assist you today. We welcome an email from you at californiapaws@yahoo.com. California Paws provides cat sitting and in-home boarding in the San Francisco area.