While your decision to declaw your cat, may focus on the surgery, you should also consider the alternatives. The alternatives to declawing may be just what you are looking for. Some solutions won’t cure the problem over night and require patience, but they are healthier in the long run.
Behavioral Changes
Pros: Completing the training process is a rewarding experience, and will make both the cat and owner happy. Using a variety of techniques, including scolding and showing the correct scratching surface, you can rid your cat’s habit of scratching the furniture.
The best solution for new owners is to purchase a scratching post and train the kitten to use it, instead of the furniture. When the kitten starts to scratch on a different surface, move her/him to the post. Gradually she/he should learn that the post is the place to scratch.
Cons: Modify existing behavior won’t be an easy task for owners. It requires patience, consistency, and time. Training a cat to stop scratching on “illegal” surfaces is not an easy task, and an owner may become frustrated.
Soft Paws
Pros:
They are vinyl caps with rounded edges. The cap is filled with glue and
slipped over the nail. The rounded edges prevent the claw from leaving
marks when scratching. Furniture and children are protected from the cat’s
claw. The caps will need to be replaced as they fall off.
Cons: It’s important to note that the Soft Paws should only be used on indoor cats. It is vital for outdoor cats to have the ability to defend themselves, with Soft Paws they won’t. Soft Paws do fall off as the claws fall off. So you’ll have to keep a supply to keep the paws covered.
Nail Trimming
Pros: Nail trimming is an option for older cats, as their behavior isn’t easily modified.
Cons:
Nail trimming also takes patience, and a bit of preparation. Cats aren’t
use to having their paws touched. You’ll have to touch and caress
the cat’s paws each day for a few days before actually clipping.
The downside to trimming is that your cat will fight to keep you away
– but it won’t cost you any money.