Pruning claws suggests that it is a good behavior similar to trimming human fingernails. But pruning your cat's claws to stop scratching furniture involves removing bones at his fingertips. A new study concluded that this process causes cats long-term problems.
Cats whose claws have been removed are more likely to have difficulty walking. After removing her fingertips, she will have to walk on the soft cartilage that was part of the joint. These cats are known to chew after their feet and may experience chronic pain. Plus the owners of these cats notice that they become more aggressive after claws are removed.
To study the long-term consequences of claw removal in cats, the researchers examined 274 cats of different ages. Half had undergone claw removal. In the study of cats at home, and cats brought to veterinary clinics, the researchers examined the signs of pain, which appear in the form of problems in the use of the place of urination, and a blindness when touching, and tension in the body, and excessive licking or chewing of fur, and other signs. Researchers also looked at cats' medical records and behavioral reports from veterinarians or cat owners.
The researchers found that cats that had been removed from their claws were seven times more likely to urinate in inappropriate places, four times more likely to bite humans, three times more aggressive, and three times more likely to exaggerate their body's cleanliness than other cats. She was also more susceptible to back pain (because she had to adjust her gait because she lost the bones of her fingers) and chronic pain in the feet.
Cats whose claws have been removed are more likely to urinate on soft surfaces such as carpets and clothing because they are less painful than pebbles in the urination box. Because she has no other way to defend herself, she bites when she feels pain. Unfortunately for people living with her, the risk of infection and hospitalization due to biting wounds is greater than normal scratches.
The study would have been stronger if researchers had been able to study the condition of cats before and after claw removal, to determine whether these adverse effects were due to claw removal. But this type of study will be larger and more difficult.
<><>
"The result of this research reinforces my view that cats have been removed and their behavior has become undesirable," says study author Nicole Martel Moran, a veterinarian in Texas and director of Bow Project, which seeks to end claw removal procedures. But they simply need to treat the pain. We now have scientific evidence that claw removal is more harmful to cats than we previously thought. I hope this study will become one of many that will lead veterinarians to reconsider the claw removal procedure in cats. ”
Training as an alternative to claw removal
Claw removal is a law prohibited by law in many developed countries, but the United States and Canada do not. However, several US veterinarians oppose claw removal, except as a last resort.
Before removing claws, try to train your cat first. Yes, cats can be trained. This is not as difficult as we can imagine. Here are some tips:
1 Attend a scribble post, or make one yourself. If the position is perpendicular, make sure it is long enough for the cat to extend its body to use. Make sure it is fixed.
Place the position close to the cat's favorite sleeping spot, or near furniture that your cat likes to scratch more.
Cover the pot with a real cotton plant (an aromatic plant known for its effect on cats, where it feels ecstatic and happy), or with dolls, so that it becomes more attractive to the cat than the couch.
4. Reward your cat by fondling his cheeks every time he uses the post.
5 Do not hit the cat if he scratched the sofa. Just say "no" firmly. Return it to the position and reward it for using it.
Talk to your veterinarian if the problem persists.
Post a Comment