I can't nip the cat scratching totally in the bud - but, I do keep the claws trimmed as short as I can without causing pain. They're all quite cooperative except for Braydee - the wild kitten - but he's coming around - a few more clips and he'll get used to it and know that it won't hurt. I would try everything in the world before I'd ever declaw one of my cats - it just aint gonna happen!!!!