No matter how much you love your cat, you’ve likely had problems with your cat scratching either you or your furniture. In the past, the most common solution was to get your cat declawed. Some people kept their cat’s back claws intact while others removed all claws. Now that it has become common knowledge that declawing is painful, many cat owners look for safe, humane options to deal with cat claws. Today, there are many alternatives to declawing your cat for you to explore that exclude permanently removing their nails.

1. Trim Your Cat’s Nails

Trimming your cat’s nails is one of the best choices if you do not want to permanently declaw your cat. Just like your nails, a cat’s nails are always going to grow. You trim your own fingernails and toenails, so why shouldn’t you trim your cat’s nails too?

You have dozens of options for nail trimmers online, from traditional trimmers to grinder wheels. You’ll need to try out a few different kinds to see what your cat is most comfortable with. You should also start trimming your cat’s nails as early and as often as possible so they get used to the routine. Only trimming your cat’s nails when they need it means that they’ll fight you.

As you’ll see with other options on this list, you can also find a qualified groomer to trim your cat’s nails. You can also speak with your vet about trimming your cat’s nails as part of their yearly check up. Many vets will build in some extra time to quickly clip your cat’s nails. Your vet might not trim your cat’s nails as uniformly as a groomer might, but they will still be shorter!

2. Use Scratching Posts

Indoor cats don’t have as many opportunities as indoor/outdoor or stray cats to grind down their nails naturally. Outside, cats are walking on pavement and dirt or climbing trees. All of these different terrains dull their nails. Outdoor cats may also bite their nails to keep them sharp for prey.

While I would not recommend letting a cat that stays inside out into the world, you can bring the outside in – sort of. Invest in a high quality cat scratcher that your cat enjoys and can use every day to work their claws. Every cat is a little bit different when it comes to what they enjoy, but finding the right scratcher for your cat will be a game changer!

There are many kinds of materials like:

• Fabric scratching posts or towers
• Cardboard
• Carpet
• Rope
• Wood

Scratching posts can be small or large and fit almost any kind of space. Some posts will have cat beds and other toys attached; other cat owners with more adventurous pets will adhere carpet squares to the walls to allow their cat to climb. Assess what your cat likes and find the best option for them!

3. Protect Your Furniture with Furniture Tape

If protecting your furniture is the main reason why you may be considering declawing your cat, you have options that are more humane!

Multiple companies sell a product called furniture tape. It comes in long, thin strips, like regular tape, or in sheets that cover a wider surface area. Almost any kind you buy will essentially be double sided tape that you can place on cloth or wood furniture to prevent your cat from scratching the arms and sides of furniture.

The tape works because cats do not like the feeling of the stickiness of the tape. Even cats that are committed to clawing furniture will dislike what it feels like to touch the sticky tape. Your cat’s fur and paw pads will stick to the tape and be an unpleasant feeling. Plus, your cat’s paw pads have nerve endings! If you use it long enough, then your cat may relate the tape to anything they go to touch.

4. Try Nail Caps

Nail caps are one of the most popular alternatives to declawing these days. Nail caps are not a permanent solution though. Instead, nail cats are kind of like fake nails for your cat. They are small, plastic objects that you stick onto your cat’s claws.

There are a few reasons why nail caps have become popular because they:

• Can train your cat not to scratch if they are not able to fully scratch
• Are not permanent and will fall off as your cat’s nails continue growing
• Come in dozens of different colors and styles
• Also prevent accidental, painful scratches from your cat

Don’t be turned off by the fact that you need to put them on. Nail caps are great because they are a low-cost solution that can be done at home. If you feel like you’re unable to put the caps on your cat yourself, you can also look for a local groomer to do it for you. Since nail caps are popular now, many groomers carry them and offer them as part of their services.

 5. Stimulate Your Cat in Other Ways

Cats often claw out of boredom. Stimulating your cat won’t prevent your cat from scratching you or the furniture, but it can help any problems that you are facing.

When you see your cat about to scratch the arm of your chair, redirect their attention. Pick up a cat toy or throw a ball, so their attention goes somewhere else. Do the same if your kitten gets a little wild and wants to scratch your hands or feet.

You can couple this tip with others on the list too. For instance, use a scratching post as a way to give your cat some additional enrichment. Keep an eye out for your cat using these items and, when you do, give them a small treat to show that you approve of the behavior. You should see your cat’s behavior begin to change with exciting changes in their environment and positive reinforcement.