Back in September, I previewed a screening at the Art Theatre of The Paw Project, a documentary that laid out the painful project of feline declawing, its effects on cats both large and small, and rehabilitation efforts. The film was part of Long Beach’s Kindness to Animals Weekend and also had a recent showing in Los Angeles; it was developed and produced by the Dr. Jennifer Conrad, DVM and founder of The Paw Project. The organization’s mission, as stated on the website, is “to educate the public about the painful and crippling effects of feline declawing, to promote animal welfare through the abolition of the practice of declaw surgery, and to rehabilitate cats that have been declawed.”
The showing was a success in that many of us had our eyes opened to what amounts to mutilation of cats. The painful process was laid out in verbal and visual detail to a wide-eyed, openmouthed audience. It’s notable, too, that one of the sponsors is Primary Animal Care Hospital on Lakewood Boulevard and Stearns Street. Declawing isn’t cheap and the project alluded to the source of revenue it provides for vets, but this veterinary in particular is morally opposed to the procedure as a method for the preservation of endangered upholstery.
“We strongly think that declawing should be prohibited as an elective procedure,” said Dr. Jacobo Bailaron, one of the clinic’s veterinarians. “We don’t do declawing for ethical reasons unless there is trauma involved, such as an accident.”
First line of defense
Claws are a cat’s first line of defense and escape from predators. Declawing, we learned, is not just the removal of the claws (which is no doubt bad enough—think of the same procedure done on your fingernails) but the actual amputation of a third of a cat’s paw. Here’s a partial description of declawing as written by veterinarian Jean Hofve, DVM, in an article on Jackson “Cat Daddy” Galaxy’s website: “Declawing, which is rightly described as “de-toeing” when the same procedure is done to chickens, is the amputation of each front toe at the first joint….This is necessary because, unlike a fingernail, the claw actually grows from the first toe bone….For the surgery itself, the cat is put under general anesthesia and the toes are prepared with antiseptic soap. A tourniquet is placed on the cat’s leg and tightened to prevent excessive bleeding. Using a scalpel, the surgeon grips the tip of the claw…and uses [a]scalpel to carve around the third phalanx, cutting through the skin and severing tendons, nerves, and blood vessels….In cats, the claws grow directly from the bone. If even the tiniest piece of the bone is left in the socket, it can become infected and/or regrow, both of which are very painful.” If you really want to talk yourself out of the procedure or feel extra-guilty about having once done it, watch this graphic video, which has a disturbingly merry music track.
If you’re already crying “No, never!”, skip down to the end of the article to the suggestions for you, the cat and the couch to live in harmony on as few tenterhooks as possible. But first, my disclaimer or, more accurately, confession: I’ve owned three declawed cats. There was Ezzi, whom I had declawed when she was an adult because my then-boyfriend said that either the cat goes or her claws do. I made the stupid choice, and I’m glad to say that Ezzi ultimately outlasted that relationship by many years. Then there was Oaf, who came from the shelter at age 3 both declawed and neutered. At the same time, I picked up a tiny kitten whom I named Woodbine and figured that I’d get him disfigured, too. I was told both times about the resulting pain and that it would be temporary. It was, but it was hard to watch both him and Ezzi before him scrabbling for the countertops and slipping when they tried to surmount them and hopping around on their hindquarters like little kangaroos. And they’d look at me with utter adoration in between times.
A few years later, Nona Daly, the vice president of Friends of Long Beach Animals, filled me in about what declawing involved. When I adopted my next cat from the shelter, I didn’t have the procedure—I named her Mildred, partly because she pierced the couch in several places before I modified her behavior.
Is There a Claws Clause or Two?
I did have a couple of questions after the film, though. One of the claims made in the documentary is that one of the reasons that cats are relinquished to the shelter are behaviors resulting from the procedure, such as arthritis, urinating and defecating outside the litter box because of discomfort from digging in the gravel, and biting because they can’t defend themselves with their claws anymore. This, they stated, can be a death sentence.
“Declawed cats are more likely to be relinquished than normal cats,” Hofve wrote in her article. “Unwanted behavior is a major factor in relinquishment of cats to shelters.”
But could not declawing a cat also be a factor in cat relinquishment? When I was a little kid, we had a cat named Mrs. Fineman who was headed down that road after clawing up $500 worth of furniture (that was a princely sum in the ‘50s) and would have been “sent to the farm where she can play all day with the mice” had it not been for a simultaneous tantrum directed by my mother, brother and me at my father. Lucky for us and Mrs. Fineman, he was an old softie. Not everyone can be so easily manipulated, however, and many folks aren’t sufficiently evolved to dump a jerk of a partner or old enough to run away from home.
Michael W. Fox, author of Understanding Your Cat, somberly wrote, “…For some owners the only alternative is euthanasia…. although it is a controversial subject, I think [declawing] is better than getting rid of the pet because it persists in clawing furniture or people.” I think so, too, but if there’s really no alternative, for God’s (and the cat’s) sake, keep your declawed cat indoors at all times.
I contacted a couple of organizations and shelters, including our own, to see if there were definite stats about cats being relinquished for clawing, but the information is broken down only so far. Out of the 361 cats turned in to Long Beach Animal Control Services this year, there were about 30 marked owner problem and quite a few labeled no reason, but nothing more specific. However, my online research turned up the most comprehensive, balanced article that I can remember reading on any topic. It’s titled “Indoor Cats, Scratching, and the Debate over Declawing: When Normal Pet Behavior Becomes a Problem,” cowritten by Katherine C. (Kasey) Grier, a history professor at the University of Delaware, and Nancy Peterson, the Cat Programs, Companion Animals manager at the Humane Society of the United States. It’s actually a chapter from an HSUS publication, The State of the Animals III. I won’t be hurt if you stop reading and access the article right now—every aspect of the declawing issue is covered, certainly in more breadth and depth than I can go into here, and this is a damn long article.
“Indoor Cats” begins with the history of the cat as a pet and goes on to describe the attempts of humans to mold the natural behavior of felines to their own standards, especially as cats have increasingly become indoor pets and their natural behaviors have become to be perceived as unacceptable. One of these behaviors is clawing the furniture.
A table in the article that showed the top reasons for surrendering a cat to a shelter provided the only data that addressed the question I had about owner turn-in for clawing. In a survey conducted by Ralston Purina, it was the last of the five reasons, at 8 percent; scratching someone was fourth, at 11 percent. Although the study was conducted in 2000, cat behavior hasn’t changed all that much, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the percentages are the same or even lower, as there was another table in the article to show the rising number of cat owners who have scratching posts. But even with the relatively small percentages, that’s still a lot of cats when you consider that six to eight million cats and dogs are impounded in the shelters across the country every year.
I also question the claims of behavior problems resulting from declawing. None of my cats has ever demonstrated any behavior problems after the procedure and are content and happy as indoor prisoners (I ask them daily).
“I can’t say that there won’t be complications—everything has them,” said Dr. Melissa Bain, DVM, DACVB, MS and associate professor of veterinary behavior at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. “There’s no evidence that declawing causes more behavior problems in the long term. Pain control for cats has been greatly improved in the past few years, and there is now laser removal available now that’s less expensive.” Laser surgery, she said, automatically seals small blood vessels and nerve endings around the cut, so there is less bleeding and pain. As a consequence, cats recover faster from laser declawing.”
Grier and Peterson also said that there was no clear evidence as well as “a lack of hard data” that aggression, urinating outside the litter box and other physical or psychological traumas would occur. They went on to say, however, that this doesn’t mean that they don’t present themselves. They quoted Gary Patronek, DVM, PhD, a shelter-medicine and animal-welfare professional, who wrote that “the most that can be said about adverse behavioral sequelae to onychectomy is that they remain as hard to dismiss as they are to quantify.”
But the article’s authors are not by any means leaving it up to the decision or whim of cat owners, as shown in this statement: “It behooves all involved in promoting the welfare of cats to educate, educate, educate so that declawing is no longer viewed as a routine preventive surgery but truly becomes a ‘last resort.” Since Nona Daly first collared me and the Paw Project documentary cemented my decision not to disfigure any more friends, I think that ethics trumps debate.
“Declawing is not a high-end manicure.”
~ Councilmember Suja Lowenthal, at the Paw project Showing
Compromise with the Cat
The urge to claw is instinctive in cats. According to the HSUS, they scratch to remove the dead outer husks of the claws, mark their territory, and stretch their bodies and flex their feet. If you have a declawed cat, you may notice that he or she still mimes the act on a scratching post or an item of furniture.
Kittens begin using their claws at about 8 weeks old, so if you have one or are planning to make one part of the family, you can begin training pretty quickly. The following are tips gleaned from various sources that will help you, the cats and the couch live in harmony.
Provide the cat with several scratching posts or pads. We had one back in the ‘50s that my brother made in his high school woodshop class out of two pieces of wood and some sort of burlap material. Mrs. Fineman used it her entire life. Since their first appearance back in the day (the 1930s, according to Grier and Peterson), all kinds of neat variations have been made in the form of hanging surfaces, feline seating areas, furniture, and artsy-looking stuff. You might even decide to buy the cat a personal armchair at a thrift shop. Whatever you choose, keep your cats’ preferences in mind. Nancy Peterson told me that some cats are horizontal scratchers and others like to crouch horizontally and go at it. Material, too, makes a difference—cats like rough, tight surfaces to sink their claws into. I’ve had luck with the backings on carpet samples and with cardboard-filled versions. Rubbing catnip on the scratcher will also encourage attack. Blocking access to furniture with the post also works. Or may work. And have patience—it takes some time to encourage a cat to scratch in a new place. Rub the little paws on the post whenever the cat eyes the upholstery.
From Wiki Post “How to Stop a Cat from Clawing Furniture“
Use noise or other distractions. We were fortunate to have the stentorian, Boston Latin School bellow of my father. Mrs. Fineman was scared hissless of him. A slap of a magazine on the table or your other hand (and not on the cat), a loud bell or whistle, or a Purim grager (which sent Mrs. Fineman streaking out of the living room) all work well. If you have an amateur clarinetist, flautist or violinist in the home, stage a personal chamber-music concert for Felix. Water pistols are good and won’t hurt anything but the animal’s dignity; however, it’s recommended that you’re ready to dampen the cat’s activity immediately during the misbehavior, not after, so the cat will more easily make the association (like Ram Dass, they live in the now).
Purim grager
Spray your furniture with a scent that may be pleasant to you but obnoxious to the cat, such as citrus or cinnamon. There are products made specifically to deter cats from clawing by mimicking the feline pheromone used to mark territory; they include Feliway, which mimics the pheromone that cats use to mark their territory. Covering a surface with foil is another suggestion, but that’ll look as attractive as the handiwork below (by grace of my cat Mildred). However, clear products such as Sticky Paws are available and will detract the cat from attacking. You can also apply slipcovers—they’re so retro. Even if the cat claws through them, they’re cheap enough to replace. In my search for a cat-proof fabric with which to recover my shredded sofa, I asked Chrysteen Braun of Aegean Designing Whims in Los Alamitos if such a thing exists, and she replied with a simple no. “Just love your cats,” she said.
Stylin’ by Mildred J. Karp (from six years ago–the scratching post next to it eventually did the trick)
Consider the “spa treatment” if the cat allows it. Use a special clipper to keep the nails blunt. Take care to clip the tips only, as cutting through the darker part will cause bleeding. This is easily managed by either taking the cat on your lap and manicuring as he or she purrs or enlisting a friend to put the animal in a judo hold while you take care of the nails. And only if the cat will agree to it, Soft Paws are nontoxic vinyl caps that you put on the end of the claws similar to the way you’d apply false fingernails. They come in a wild assortment of designs (check these out), and if the cat’s embarrassed by any of them, well, hey, you said to stay away from the faux Eames ottoman and you were ignored.
Caitlin Foley’s cat, grabbed off Pinterest
Use reinforcement by stroking the cat and using a soft voice every time the good behavior is reinforced. My friend always says, “Yes, that’s where the good cats scratch.” Don’t make the mistake I made, though. I gave my cat Rockabye a treat every time he used the scratching post. If he went for the furniture, I’d remove him, rub his paws on the scratching post, and give him a treat. Pretty soon, it was scratch once, glance my way, receive goodie, begin cycle anew. I had to gradually remove the stimulus.
For more hints and information, visit this link on the HSUS’s Cat Answer Tool page.
Virtually Pets
Because we take cats in from high-risk situations, they usually bring with them a host of medical issues. This is Toby, abandoned by his owner and found wandering the apartment complex. His skin was ravaged by flea dermatitis, and he was dehydrated and starving. It was evident that he was neglected and quite possibly abused. He had to be taught to play and was skittish and fearful, but he has started to relax in his foster home. He needs someone to help rebuild trust and provide him with the safe, secure environment he deserves.
Meet Jiminy and Cricket, both thankful to be alive. They were rescued from an overcrowded public shelter where they were going to be killed. While we are grateful to have saved their lives, like so many of the cats we take in, they required medical care. Soon after we got them, they came down with a virus that inflamed their joints, made them temporarily lame and spiked a fever of 105 degrees. Happy, friendly and beautiful, they are all better now and waiting for homes.
Helen Sanders CatPaws is laudable for finding cats in seemingly hopeless situations and bringing them back into the world (testimonial: we have one). To adopt any of these cats or ones in their care waiting for forever homes, visit their website.
This beautiful, husky Himalayan mix is appropriately named Janowski, aka Jano, after his rescuer’s favorite big Raiders kicker. He was found abandoned under a building with other cats until his rescue. He’s about 3 years old and has been fully vetted. He needs a calm place to live. His rescuer will donate food, toys and other needs. Contact [email protected]. If you’re not a Raiders fan, you can give him another name!
Pet Projects
Operation Santa Paws, sponsored by Community Action Team, Dec. 1–20, with pickup and delivery Dec. 21 at various locations in Long Beach as well as throughout California and the United States
Please drop off packaged food, toys, cleaning supplies and anything to help the comfort of our shelter pets, none of whom will receive the grateful love of a forever friend this holiday season. Please visit the Operation Santa Paws webpage for a wish list and the many drop-off locations in our community. The items will be delivered to the shelters on Dec. 21. The pets may not know that it’s Christmas, but we do, and we want to make their season bright.
Fix Long Beach Free Spay/Neuter Clinic, sponsored by Hope for Paws’ Eldad Hagar, Saturday, Dec. 7, 14, and 21, MacArthur Park, 1321 E. Anaheim St. in Long Beach, 7AM–approximately 4PM
What’s on your wish list for the holidays? Here’s ours: Steady reduction of shelter overpopulation through spaying and neutering our animals and continuous education of the human population about why the procedure is so necessary. Only two items, but it’s not a simple task, and we need all the help and support we can get. We’ve trumped the 400 mark in our efforts with 411 pets fixed at our last event—an enormous number of unborn, unwanted pets who won’t crowd our shelters or become abandoned or abused in the future, and nearly 400 lucky cats and dogs who will have longer, healthier lives! Oh—we forgot to add one thing to our list: That these efforts will inspire other communities nationwide and globally to follow suit. These mobile veterinary clinics can cost up to $3,500, and donations are needed and appreciated. To donate, visit Fix Long Beach’s Facebook page or their website.
Walk with Friends of Long Beach Animals in the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 7, Second Street in Belmont Shore, 6PM
Walk with your pet near the FOLBA float! All leashed, well behaved,spayed or neutered, and currently inoculated pets are welcome—remember that there will be over 50,000 people, bright lights, and loud music, so be certain your pet is comfortable in this type of situation. If not, you’re still welcome to join us without your pet. This year’s theme is “Christmas by the Sea.” Dress in festive Christmas or tropical attire. We’ll be giving out Santa hats to all walkers, which you may keep. We also encourage you to dress your pet. Please keep in mind the weather report for the 7th is a high of 59 and low of 45, below normal for this time of year.
Our line-up number is 9, and we will follow right behind Long Beach Animals Care Services. We will be staging near the corner of Livingston and 2nd Street. Parking will be difficult, so please allow adequate time to park and find us. Please meet us at the location by 5:30 PM. The Parade starts promptly at 6:00 PM. We should be done with the route by 7:00 PM. We hope that you will join us in celebrating the spirit of the season.
Stayin’ Alive Long Beach Public Meeting, Monday, Dec. 9, First Congregational Church, 241 Cedar Avenue, Long Beach, 6 p.m.
SALB’s co-founder and spokesperson, Patricia Turner, Ph.D., will discuss the organization’s work and the effort to bring No Kill to Long Beach.
spcaLA December Mobile Adoption, Saturday, Dec. 14, PetSmart, Long Beach Towne Center, 7631 Carson Blvd., Long Beach, 10AM–2PM
If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you! Meet us at PetSmart and bring home your new BFF forever!
In closing, I found this amusing:
ARGYLE SWEATER © Scott Hilburn. Used by permission of Universal Uclick. All rights reserved.