Declawing explained, and alternatives

Declawing is a practice that remains too common in our country, but more and more vets refuse to do it, and it is outlawed in the UK. The only state that has outlawed declawing, and then only for "big" (not domestic) cats, is California.  In 2009, a San Francisco city ordinance was passed, outlawing the practice on all cats.  See http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/cat-declawing-now-crime-city

 If you are considering having a cat declawed, please learn more about what this procedure actually entails. The cat's claw is not a "fingernail" like ours, but is actually an extension of the toe bone. The end of the bone and surrounding tissues are amputated when a cat is declawed.
This procedure is painful, risky, and results in permanent disability.
Declawed cats will have permanent balance problems. Many have permanent sensitivity of their feet, and will refuse to use a litter box due to discomfort. An array of other behavioral problems, including increased aggression, have been reported.
Your cat can easily live into its teens. How can you guarantee that your cat will never, ever be confronted by a hostile dog indoors, and will never, ever get outside?
A cat without claws cannot climb to escape threats, can easily lose its balance if it attempts to jump up onto something to escape, and is deprived of its primary means of defense in combat.
For more information about the procedure, please look at:
http://www.declawing.com

There are numerous effective strategies to prevent damage to furniture by cats.
Here are a few:

1. Get a scratching post, maybe several, depending on the number of rooms in your house. Most cats love them and use them regularly. Introduce your cat to the idea by anointing the scratching post with a bit of catnip (leaves or oil).
2. Cats are pretty smart. Get a plastic spray bottle or squirt gun and spritz the cat with a bit of water when it starts to scratch things it should not. Most cats will get the hint.
3. Exclude the cat from rooms where most furniture of concern is located.
4. Try using bench-style chairs and couches of wood or bamboo, with removable cushions. This is also a great option for households with dogs.
5. Drape furniture of concern with heavy fabric when you're not entertaining.
6. Check out "Soft Claws"- glue-on vinyl tips that cover your cat's claws and prevent damage when scratching occurs.
7. If you're between cats and worried about scratching damage-- do look into adopting an adult cat that has already been declawed. If you are prepared to be vigilant in keeping the cat indoors, and to be tolerant of any behavioral problems that may have resulted from the declawing, you can save a life and maintain a clear conscience.