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Declawing Your Cat

This is a very controversial topic which has a lot of emotion behind but it needs to be looked at. As a cat owner who has experienced difficulty dealing with the cat scratching issue in my home it is difficult not to be biased but let’s give the issue of declawing its due and see what exactly the pros and cons are.

There are 2 types of surgical procedures which are commonly done to eradicate this problem. One involves cutting the tendon that attaches the claw to the bone in a cats foot. The claw stays intact but the cat can’t use it at all because it is no longer attached to the tendon that works it.

The second procedure employs the use of a laser for cutting. This procedure removes the lateral attachment. The claw is then removed.

Proponents of both these procedures claim there is minimal blood loss and discomfort. They also state that most cats are up running around in no time after the surgery. Great!

However, what they fail to mention is that both procedures are invasive (any surgical procedure is), both require general anethestic, and both can result in complications especially for older cats. The second procedure is quite plainly amputation. They also fail to mention what many people have stated - that post-surgery their cat developed a biting problem that was not prevelant prior to the surgery. What I have read also doesn’t account for the many reports of people’s cats undergoing drastic behavior changes afterwards.

One such advocate I read about stated that “there will be medical reasons and other circumstances where this procedure will be necessary.” But it fails to cite any of those reasons.

For me at least, it all comes back to the question - “How would you like to have part of the anatomy God gave you amputated?” For me, there is only one “pro” After declawing, no matter what procedure you opt to have done, your cat will no longer be able to claw your furniture and carpets. The “cons” however, are still stacked against this and they are many!

We had a terrible experience with our cat Milo, when he recently developed a lower urinary tract infection and had to be admitted to stay 2 nights in a local vet clinic while he underwent surgery and monitoring for this common cat health problem. After seeing how terrified he was at the clinic and then worrying whether he would live or not because he refused to eat anything for a week after we got him home and had to be forcibly fed water to keep him hydrated, we simply could not bring ourselves to consider the idea of declawing no matter how stressful his clawing behavior was.

Milo is part of our family. God gave him all the parts he has for a reason and declawing to us is tantamount to saying he is less important than any other member of our family; something that we couldn’t bring ourselves to think.

Pets count on us to look after their best interests. When we take on the responsibility of owning a pet we make what should be a statement of promise to protect them, nuture them and ensure that they are looked after. If you are considering declawing as a way to deal with your cats clawing behavior, I would urge you to please try some less invasive methods first before you resort to such a drastic measure. Why risk potential side-effects and the trauma that can accompany any surgical procedure if there are clearly other, less invasive ways of dealing with this problem?

About the Author

Brad Knell is the webmaster at http://www.stopcatscratching.com and several other websites designed to help people solve their pet problems.

Everyone is surely going to get excited when trying to adopt a dog. Truly a man’s best friend, you can rely on your pet dog in giving you company, cuddling up together and some can even guard your house. You need to review your personal lifestyle and needs when adopting a dog. It is a major decision whether or not you would choose to have a puppy or an adult as a pet. Before deciding on which dog to adopt, here is some useful information that might help you decide.

On Puppies

* Bringing up a puppy is an advantage because this means that you would guide its growth and well being. You would have the chance to raise it up according to what you want. This means you can ensure that it is properly nurtured with the right dog food, ensure that necessary dog shots are given and prevent heartworm at this early stage. Having your puppy personally trained is also a plus since you can teach him exactly what you want.

* You should adopt a puppy when it is at least 10 weeks old. Puppies need a lot of time to be cared for by their mothers. This is a crucial stage for them. They somehow gain a psychological advantage for both puppy and for the mother dog as well.

* A puppy can easily adjust to new surroundings as compared to an adult dog. Although most puppies may cause minimal to major damage to your personal stuff while they are in the stage of teething. They need to be housebroken and house training needs a lot of time, effort and patience from the owner.

* There is no assurance of what a puppy would look like when it gets old; especially it is a mixed breed. Also, his temperament might change too when he grows up.

* Most pet owners love how puppies can be entertaining. They are very cute and adorable pets that is a hit for both children and grown ups. Puppies can be easily regarded as one of the family.

On adult dog

* You would have less of a fuss taking care of an adult dog. They already have this established behavior that you can easily adopt too. By being with the dog more often, you would have more or less an idea of what its temperament is.

* You need to get as much information that you can when adopting an adult dog. Take note of its habits and mood swings. You can acquire these valuable data from the previous owners of the dog. Some adult dogs may have some behavior issues. It is important to take note of them.

* It may take some time and effort for an adult dog to be completely comfortable with a new owner.

* Take note that you need to introduce an adult dog to your children and other household members. This would help the dog be familiar with them and helps them refrain from biting or barking thinking that they maybe strangers.

* Adult dog may not need your full attention unlike puppies need and would require lesser trips to the veterinary.

* For a fully grown dog physique and behavior is basically not a variable anymore. What you see is basically what you get.

* Most dogs are housebroken already so they would cause lesser damage to your belongings and don’t wake up at night like most puppies do. They have over grown the impulse of chewing things he has his eyes on.

* An older dog can easily adapt to other pets, like other dogs or cats, if you have a group of them at your household.

Adopting a dog is not an easy task and choosing which one to adopt can be a little tricky too. Everyone loves sweet looking puppies, but not everyone can stand up to the tiresome house training. Though most would appreciate the bonding shared with them. Adult dogs need no great amount of guidance but can still turn out to be a lovable pet. Whichever you think is the right pet for you, just keep in mind that taking care of them needs a lot of time and effort. In return, they would always keep you company and has ready smile with an excited wag of tail waiting for you everyday.

Jack Russell is a a long time dog fancier, visit his Dog Resources Blog and download his Free Dog Owners Handbook - it’s Dog Gone Good! www.daveshealthbuzz.com/dogcare/

It is an exciting time when you get to bring home a new puppy. He quickly becomes part of your family and you create a bond with lots of cuddling, trips outside and walks in the park. If buying from a breeder, you will want to be sure you choose a responsible breeder versus a backyard breeder (those who are only breeding for financial benefits).

When shopping for your new dog, there are things you need to expect from your breeder as well as some things the breeder will expect from you. If you have found a responsible breederwhich can be done through referenceshe or she may come across as a very nosey person. This is okay, considering that the nosier breeder, the better!

From a responsible breeder you can expect to be asked such things as your work schedule, who lives in the house with you, what your yard layout is like and the kind of friends you have that may be visiting you in your home. Although these seem like personal questions, the breeder cares what kind of home their puppy may be going to. A breeder who asks no questions and is just looking for the sale won’t be able to offer you the same quality and breed of puppies as the responsible breeder will.

Another perk to buying a puppy from a responsible breeder is that you will be told the lineage that the puppy came from. In other words, you’ll be privy to the father’s as well as the mother’s heritage, and will be given the papers to prove it. This can be an important aspect of buying a puppy because personalities, as well as health issues, are generally hereditary, and it’s nice to be certain that your puppy is from good stock. Most of the time, a backyard breeder or pet store simply won’t offer this type of information. In addition, pet store puppies usually come from a puppy milla relative breeding farmand they are sold on a first come, first serve basis. Questions aren’t asked of the buyer and no attention is paid to the puppy’s welfare.

A responsible breeder will also expect the buyer to have questions and concerns of their own. A buyer should not be afraid to ask questions about this new life you will be taking into your home. Here are a few things you should ask your breeder about as well as some expectations that you should have:

Is there a signed veterinary health certificate, plus a written health guarantee from the breeder, including one against congenital defects?

Are ACVO eye screening and OFA or Penn Hip certificates completed, to avoid any future problems with the puppies?

Does the breeder have a written contract available for you to sign, specifying the rights of the seller and also the breeder’s rights?

Is all health information available and up to date?

Can the breeder provide AKC or CKC registration papers on the puppy?

What is the lineage of the puppies? A responsible breeder should be able to tell you lineage from generations back, as well as giving you a family tree of the puppy.

Responsible breeders will be able to help you find the puppy that is right for you and will be happy to give you tips on raising and caring for your new bundle of joy. As long as you find a responsible breeder, it’s a sure thing that you’ll find the perfect puppy.

About the Author

This article courtesy of http://www.train-your-pup.net