Declawing Cats

Declawing cats is a controversial topic due to people choose to alter their cats ability by removing their nails. Many people can declaw for health issues or to alter their behavior due to scratching and ruining furniture. Some may find other resources than declawing. Follow along to see what the guest today have to say about declawing cats.

Teaching Guide

Topic: Declawing of Cats

Host: Savannah Scott

Guests:

Abby Roberts, a Vet Tech from VCA Creekside

Alicia Jones, a Hospital Manager from VCA Mt Juliet

Gary Kirk, a Retired Rescue Owner

Heather Haufmann, a finance manager who had an interest in small animal medicine and welfare in college.

Objectives:

1. I can identify 2 pros and 2 cons of declawing cats by the end of this episode.

2. I can create my own opinion on the topic of declawing cats.

3. I can understand the procedure of declawing cats.

Pre-Viewing Questions: 

(Can serve as a pre assessment and bell work. Have students write down their answered prior to viewing to gain knowledge of what they know prior to listening.)

1. What are alternatives to declawing?

2. How much do you think it costs to declaw a cat?

3. Do you think declawing is outlawed in other countries?

4. Do you think there are certain instances of declawing a cat?

5. Is there a good age to declaw a cat?

Guided Questions to follow along:

(Give this list of questions to follow along with the podcast. Serves as an accountability feature to ensure that students were engaged in the listening of the podcast.)

1. What 2 countries are still practicing declawing?

2. What are 2 reasons cats should and shouldn’t be declawed?

3. How is declawing different from a spay or neuter?

4. What affects the cost of declawing?

5. What are soft paws?

6. Does declawing lower the risk of spreading a disease?

7. What is an acceptable situation to declaw a cat?

8. Is it better to declaw or rehome an animal according to the guest?

9. What age should a cat be declawed?

10. What is a pheromone spray?

Post Listening questions:

(Allow this to serve as an assessment to ensure that they followed along.)

1. After listening to the podcast, what did you learn about the process of declawing cats?

2. What is the average cost for declawing a cat?

3. Is it easier and cheaper if the cat is already under anesthesia for a spay or neuter?

4. What is one thing multiple speakers said?

5. What are 3 alternatives of declawing cats?