Is your cat shredding the curtains and using your speakers as a scratching post? Are you wondering if you should declaw or not?

The most common reason for declawing your cat is to prevent him from destroying your furniture. Some people believe this is the best way and some people don´t.

There is a product out there to try before you declaw, called adhesive nail caps. They are small plastic coverings in the shape of your cat´s claw; you put a small drop of adhesive in the nail cap and place on your cat´s claws. They will still scratch at things with these on but they won´t be able to claw or shred anything. Also try adding scratching posts around the areas he scratches the most.

1. Your cat should be over six months of age and no older than two years of age to be declawed.

2. You should always have declawing done by a licensed Veterinarian. After the surgery, you will need to make adjustments like using paper litter that is changed every day. Your cat will become an indoor cat, because he cannot go outside since he has no defense against the dangers he may encounter there.

3. Think about the reasons for justifying declawing your cat. Your cat is injuring another cat in your household, developed a personality problem and is scratching you or your children, or after several unsuccessful attempts at other measures of discouraging the destruction, you are left with no alternatives.

No one can make the decision for you; it has to be based on your decision to resolve your own problems with your feline.

Declawed cats do go on to live healthy happy lives and some never even realize what they are missing.