Owning a Maine Coon cat can be a great joy. These large, striking cats are known for their friendly and affectionate nature. However, they are also known for their sharp nails and innate desire to scratch. This behavior can lead to damaged furniture and, in some cases, scratches on their owners. While some may consider declawing as a solution, it’s important to understand that this procedure is far from humane, and is in fact, considered harmful and cruel by many animal welfare organizations. So, what are the alternatives? Let’s delve into this topic and learn about more humane methods to manage your cat’s scratching behavior.
Understanding Cat Behavior: Scratching
Before we explore alternatives to declawing, let’s take a moment to understand why cats scratch. Scratching is not a malicious act on the part of your cat. Quite the opposite, it is a natural behavior that serves several purposes.
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Scratching is a form of exercise that helps cats stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws. It also helps them to mark their territory, both visually and with scent glands located in their paws. Moreover, scratching serves as a way for cats to shed the outer layer of their nails, promoting healthy nail growth.
Declawing is Not a Humane Solution
Declawing is a procedure, often misconstrued as a simple nail removal. However, it’s more akin to amputation, as it involves the removal of the last bone of each toe. For a human, it would be equivalent to cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. This procedure can lead to several physical and behavioral issues for your cat and is, therefore, not recommended.
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Humane Alternatives to Declawing
Now that we understand why cats scratch and why declawing is a harmful solution, let’s dive into some humane alternatives.
Regular Nail Trimming
One of the simplest ways to protect your furniture and your skin from your cat’s claws is regular nail trimming. Most cats will need their nails trimmed every 10 days to two weeks. The trick here is to accustom your kitten to this practice from an early age so that over the years, it becomes a routine. If you’re unsure of how to trim your cat’s nails, consult with a professional or read more about it online.
Providing Scratching Posts
If your cat has a designated place to scratch, they’ll be less likely to ruin your furniture. Scratching posts come in all shapes, sizes and textures. Experiment to find out what your cat prefers. Remember: scratching is a form of exercise and territorial marking for cats, so place the scratching posts in areas the cats frequent.
Claw Caps
Another humane alternative to declawing are claw caps, also known as soft paws. These caps are glued onto your cat’s nails, preventing them from causing damage when they scratch. Made from soft, non-toxic plastic, they are safe for cats and can last for about 4-6 weeks. Again, get your cat accustomed to having these put on from a young age for best results.
Training
With patience, you can train your cat to use their scratching post and avoid scratching unwanted items. Training should be a positive experience for your cat. Instead of punishing them for scratching undesired areas, reward them when they scratch their post. You can use treats, praise, or both.
A Note On Deterrents
In conjunction with the above alternatives, there are various deterrents available that can discourage your cat from scratching furniture. For example, sticky tape, aluminium foil, or citrus-scented sprays can be applied to your furniture. Cats dislike the texture and smell of these, and will therefore avoid scratching these areas.
In conclusion, while a cat’s scratching can be a nuisance, declawing should never be the solution. Instead, try the humane alternatives suggested. Understand that scratching is a natural behavior for cats, and with patience and care, it can be managed effectively without causing harm to your beloved feline.
Implementing Feline Furniture Protectors
Protecting your furniture from your feline friend’s claws is another practical method to manage cat scratching without resorting to declaw surgery. Using cat furniture protectors, such as sticky paws furniture strips, can prevent your cat from scratching your favourite pieces. These adhesive strips are transparent and blend seamlessly with your furniture, making them practically invisible. The sticky sensation on their paws is harmless but unpleasant for cats, deterring them from scratching the protected areas.
Other types of furniture protectors include plastic or vinyl covers that can be draped over the arms and backs of sofas, couches or chairs. These covers are resistant to cat claws, protecting the underlying material from damage.
Also, investing in cat-friendly furniture made from materials such as microfiber, which is known to be durable and resistant to cat claws, can be a great addition to your home. This way, your Maine Coon can scratch away without causing significant damage.
Feliway Products: A Chemical Alternative
Feliway is a product that mimics the feline facial pheromone, a scent that is comforting to cats. When a cat rubs its face against furniture or people, it’s marking its territory with this pheromone. Feliway diffusers disperse this comforting pheromone into the air, reducing a cat’s need to mark territory by scratching.
Another variant, the Feliway spray, can be applied directly onto surfaces that you want to deter your cat from scratching. Cats generally avoid scratching areas marked with this pheromone, making it a useful deterrent.
Remember, every cat is different, and what works for some may not work for all. It may take some trial and error to find the best solution for your Maine Coon.
A Humane Society for Cats: Concluding Thoughts
At the end of the day, remember that your Maine Coon is not intentionally trying to ruin your furniture. Scratching is a natural behavior that helps them stretch, mark their territory, and maintain their cat claws in a healthy condition. As responsible cat owners, it’s crucial to respect this instinctive behavior and seek out alternatives to declawing.
From regular nail trimming, employing soft paws or soft claws, investing in scratching posts, training, implementing furniture protectors to using pheromone products, you have a host of options at your disposal to manage your cat’s scratching behavior without resorting to the harmful declaw surgery.
Embrace the challenge of understanding and supporting your cat’s natural behavior. A little patience, coupled with love and care for your feline companion, will ensure a happy, healthy, and harmonious co-existence with your Maine Coon. After all, a humane society begins at home.
