The old cat and mouse trope is one that’s been around for quite a while. Watching it play out in real life is pretty surreal. If you’ve ever seen a cat hunt a mouse, let alone anything, you will be amazed at how skillful they are!
Half of the time my cat barely gets up to eat! When a cat switches to hunter mode everything better watch out.
When the claws come out, it can do some real damage. However, that gets me thinking, what if a cat doesn’t have front claws?
Can cats catch mice without front claws?
Will a cat that sees a mouse leave empty-handed if they don’t have front claws? Surprisingly, cats can actually catch mice without the help of their front claws!
Can Cats Catch Mice Without Their Front Claws?
If a cat doesn’t have front claws will it leave them defenseless in catching mice? Cats are excellent hunters.
The cat family as a whole prove time after time their tactful ways of hunting their prey. Our pet cats are no different.
It seems like Fluffy couldn’t manage to hurt a fly with the ways she snoozes the day away but cats will surprise you like that. Although some cats may be better hunters than others, they are still able to catch mice without their front claws!
Cats will typically pounce on their prey and hold them down with their paws. They don’t need to extract their claws to hold down mice, their paws have enough strength on their own.
When a cat has managed to pin down a mouse, they will then bite down at the neck. No claws required.
It may be easier for a cat that has front claws to have a firmer grip on their prey but it’s not vital to the hunting process. Claws help cats to gain traction when chasing a mouse but it won’t stop a good hunter from getting its prey.
It can sound a little gruesome but it’s just the way cats work!
What Do Cats Use Their Claws For?
If cats don’t rely on their claws to hunt, what are they used for? Besides helping to hunt, the need for claws serves many purposes.
A cat’s claw is not like human fingernails. They are much sharper and stronger.
Climbing:
Have you ever seen a cat in a tree? Did you ever wonder how they got up there?
Thanks to their claws they are able to grip the strong bark and trek up a tree! Climbing a tree isn’t the only time cats use their claws to climb.
Even the cats that live with us indoors utilize their claws to climb beds, sofas, chairs, and other furniture. They need to get a good grip on the surface that they are climbing so they don’t fall!
Scent Marking:
Cats mark their scent onto things in different ways. One of those ways is through scratching!
Cats have scent glands in their paws. So when they scratch something, they are marking their scent, therefore claiming it as their own.
Cats are very territorial, so scent marking is very important to them. Claws help cats to claim what is theirs and it let’s other cats know as well.
Stretching:
For indoor cats, they need to have a good grasp of the carpet to stretch their entire body. Sometimes cats will hold onto the carpet with their claws and twist around for a nice stretch.
The use of their claws can aid a cat to stretch properly in the way that they like it!
Protection:
An obvious but important reason cats use their claws, is to protect themselves. If a cat needs to defend themselves, the claws can help fight whatever is coming at them.
You might notice a cat’s claw extract when they are getting annoyed. When they do this, it is their way of preparing for a fight they might need to participate in.
Scratching:
Scratching is something that is instinctive in cats. Cats will use their claws to scratch themselves and other things.
Cats will scratch things for scent marking and to sharpen their nails. When they scratch their scratching post, it removes the dead outer portion of the nails.
It’s important that cats are able to scratch things because it’s good for them. Not only does it mark territory and remove layers of dead nails, but it stretches the muscles.
Declawing A Cat
Knowing the many ways that cats need their claws in their everyday life, it isn’t a good idea to declaw your cat. Even though they might not use their front claws to catch mice, they are still an essential part of their body.
Some cat owners may consider declawing their kitty after coming home to ruined furniture scratched up by their cat. However, declawing a cat may end the scratching issue but it causes a lot of pain and behavioral issues for your cat in the long run.
What Is Declawing?
Declawing a cat is a procedure in which a cat will need to undergo anesthesia in order to complete it. The doctor will then remove the third phalanx bone.
It isn’t as simple as removing the nail. Declawing involves the removal of the nail bed to stop the regrowth of the nails.
This procedure is coupled with lots of aches and pain for a cat.
Why Declawing Cats Is Not Recommended
Declawing a cat is actually banned in certain countries. This is because there is no sufficient medical reasoning behind declawing a cat.
When a cat is declawed it is similar to cutting off all the fingertips on a human hand! Removing the claws changes how a cat’s paw sits on the floor.
Declawing may result in medical issues for a cat.
Not only can a declawed cat experience any or all of those symptoms, but there is a risk of a claw growing back if done incorrectly. This is a risk because a regrowth can lead to nerve damage and bone spurs.
Declawing is not a procedure that is 100% successful. A cat that has to undergo an unsuccessful procedure will have to through the pain of the surgery, post-op, and unfortunate regrowth.
Declawing a cat also makes it hard for him or her to defend themselves. This may lead to a cat biting in order to feel protected. They may develop behavioral issues like constant biting and relieving themselves outside of the box.
Many cats avoid the litterbox after being declawed because going in the litterbox becomes too painful for them.
Not only will some cats avoid the litterbox but they may avoid playing and walking around. The pain that a declawed cat may experience is severe and may even be accompanied by other side effects.
Alternatives To Declawing
The pain, risks, and general unpleasantness that comes with declawing a cat deter many cat owners, which is great! However, the shredded carpet and furniture leave a reminder that something needs to be done!
Here are some pleasant alternatives to declawing!
Get Some Scratching Posts!
A reason your cat may not be using their post is that they don’t like it! Switching things up will help you find something that your cat likes to scratch.
Placing those boards in the places that your cat likes to scratch is a great tip. Places like near the bed, sofa, and their favorite spot on the carpet.
Trim The Nails
If you regularly trim your cat’s nails they won’t be able to cause much damage to your furniture. Trimmed nails are less likely to get stuck in carpets or sheets!
It may sound like a scary task, but trimming your cat’s nails can be done at home! There are lots of videos and how-to articles on how to make it an easy process, well as easy as it can be!
If you feel too nervous to cut your cat’s nails yourself, most veterinarian offices provide that service!
Get Some Deterrents
Thankfully, there are tons of things cats don’t like! Certain scents like citrus and lavender will repel cats.
You can buy one of these repellants at the store or make a homemade one! All you have to do is spray some of that on the places your cat likes to scratch and they will be turning the other way.
Another form of deterrence is sheets of aluminum foil on the furniture. Cats don’t really like the feel of aluminum foil on their paws and will probably go somewhere else to scratch his nails.
Conclusion
To conclude, yes cats can catch mice without the aid of their front claws! Cats are great at hunting.
Even though cats may not use their claws to hunt, they use them for many other purposes! Since cats need their claws, declawing a cat is always a bad idea.
There are many side effects that may take place if one were to declaw a cat. Medical and behavior issues are common for a declawed kitty. There are alternatives to declawing a cat that is safe and effective, without harming a cat.
After all, what’s a cat without her claws?