Claw removal, or declawing as it is sometimes called, is done under a general anaesthetic and is a major surgical procedure. It is not just a removal of the claw; it is an amputation of the last joint of each toe. Claws are not like our fingernails or toenails, they are part of the last bone in their toes.
Cats use their claws for many varied purposes. They walk and balance on their toes so therefore their joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons are designed by nature for that purpose. Cats love jumping up onto high objects such as the backs of chairs, their scratching posts or even climbing trees and they use their claws to pull themselves up. Cats love to stretch and will grab onto the carpet or something else with their claws to do this. And we all know how wonderful a stretch feels, especially if we’re trying to work out a kink in our muscles.
A cat without claws is unable to defend itself against other animals, or humans, that are attacking or mistreating it. Take away their claws and you leave them defenceless, unable to fight back or climb a tree for safety. They are unable to mark out their own territory and space against other cats. Perhaps the final indignity for a cat that has been declawed is in their personal hygiene. We all know how clean cats like to be. They use their claws to cover their eliminations. To be unable to do this would destroy a cat’s self esteem.
Unfortunately, some irresponsible cat owners decide that their furniture or carpets or curtains are more important than the well-being of their cat and will decided to have their cat declawed ‘just in case’ the cat might scratch something or as a punishment after that cat has done something completely natural such as marking out a territory or stretching by digging their claws in the carpet. As stated above, having a cat’s claws removed is a major surgical procedure, one that can only be performed by a veterinarian. There is a high risk of complications with any surgery such as nerve damage, a bad reaction to the anaesthetic or infection. You will need a good reason to have your cat declawed, as any reputable vet won’t do the surgery just to keep your furniture or carpet protected.
If you do go ahead with the surgery, expect some major personality changes after declawing. Your cat will probably become fearful of you and totally withdrawn. He (or she) will be in a great deal of pain and confused about what has happened. He will be unable to use the litter box as trying to cover his eliminations will be painful so you can probably expect puddles and droppings elsewhere. If he associates you with the pain (and he probably will), he might well become aggressive towards you and start biting as this is now his only method of defence. Once the pain of the surgery has worn off don’t expect your cat to be playful with you or his toys like he used to be. Much of that playfulness was associated with him being able to ‘catch’ his toys with his claws and and he can no longer do this and will therefore be miserable. Also, jumping up and landing on his clawless feet will be painful.
If you really want to protect your furnishings train your kitten when you first get one to use a scratching post. When started early enough, your cat will happily use this for all his scratching needs. If you are unable to train an older cat to use a scratching post instead of your furniture, please, don’t have him declawed. Try using nail caps. These fit over the cat’s claws. If this doesn’t work, consider finding a good home for your cat and get yourself a dog.
Finally, here is a comparison you should consider. Humans have trouble walking and balancing after losing their big toe in an accident. Just imagine how they’d cope if all their toes were amputated at the last joint.
Overweight and obese cats are at risk of developing serious health problems, just as you and I would under the same circumstances. Feline obesity is a more serious condition than most owners realize.
If your cat is more than 20% heavier than what is considered to be the normal weight for its breed and age, and if that excess weight is due to an buildup of fat, then that cat will be classed as obese.
Just like humans, different breeds of cats can have different body structure. Some are light framed and some are naturally heavier. If you have a purebred cat, you should research that breed to determine an average weight based on age. Some purebred cats are less likely to become overweight or obese than a mixed breed cat.
How to tell if your cat is obese
An obese cat will develop an abdominal bulge. This bulge, sometimes called a ‘skirt’, is a visual indicator of the cat being classed as obese. You might notice the belly of your cat scraping the ground. The difference between a cat being overweight or obese may also be established by using the measurement of fat on the body of the cat. If a cat has a thick layer of fat that covers all bony areas of the body the cat is said to be obese. A simple check you can make at home is to feel your cat’s rib cage. If you have trouble doing this, then you cat is overweight or obese.
Your cat is obese so what does that mean for its health
Unfortunately it doesn’t matter much when it comes to health as an overweight cat can have some of the same health concerns as an obese cat. Your cat can develop joint stress including osteoarthritis, feline diabetes, increased risk of urinary tract disease, breathing problems, hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver which can become life threatening, a decreased immune function, decreased stamina when exercising which leads to lethargy and its associated problems, and possible difficulty during the birth of kittens.
An obese or overweight cat will have greater stress put on all of its bodily systems and skeletal system. The heart will be beating too fast as it tries to carry that weight around, arteries start to clog up and heart attacks can become a real risk.
An overweight or obese cat will also have trouble grooming itself and is at increased risk of non-allergic skin problems. This means more work for you as you will have to groom your cat to keep the fur in good condition and check for parasites such as fleas.
It is a fact that when a cat is neutered or spayed, it has an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese as the metabolic rate of a neutered cat is said to decrease by as much as 20%. This can also contribute to weight gain. Older cats, especially those over the age of ten, can also start gaining weight due to a decrease in metabolism. There are certain medications which can also cause weight gain in cats such as amytripyline, cortisosteroids and cyperoheptidines.
Your vet can give you further information regarding cat obesity so that you can be well informed about the associated health problems. You vet will be able to access your cat’s weight and health, and advise you of the best way to help your cat to lead a healthy life. Weight management is possible in animals just as it is in humans. Maintaining ideal weight takes conscious effort and determination.
What you can do to help your obese cat lose weight
Indoor cats are over 50% more at risk of being overweight than outdoor cats. If your cat is kept indoors, it is vital that it exercises daily. This can be easily done through playing games.
Correct diet and exercise are essential for the overweight or obese cat, just like in humans. Your cat should be on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate, low-fat diet. Remember, your cat is counting on you to make good decisions about the proper food and the amount of exercise that it receives each day. I’m sure that none of us want the cats we cherish to become overweight or obese. We would all prefer that they live long and healthy, happy lives.
