Joey is like a lot of domestic cats. His claws were removed.
Many cats have a tendency to scratch furniture, woodwork, and occasionally people.
But Dr. James Weikum says removing the tiny claws is actually an amputation procedure. You're taking off the last digit, the last knuckle along with the nail, so that it won't re-grow. That's like taking off the tip of your finger at the first knuckle. Cats who are declawed take about two weeks to recuperate. Declawing your cat might save your furniture, but Dr. Weikum says it might also make your cat vulnerable.