The skeleton is more elastic and better jointed than that of a dog. In the shoulder there is so much play that the shoulder blade may touch the jaw or slide back as far as the eighth or tenth rib. All muscles governing this lithe, little body are highly developed. A part of this wondrous mechanism are his ingeniously designed retractable claws. His claws allow him to establish footing for walking, running, springing, climbing and stretching.
Scratching is a normal characteristic of a healthy cat.
Not only does it exercises the foot muscles but it removes dead tissue from the nails. Emotionally , A clawless life is one without self-defense, psychologically. Cats operate with their senses and when deprived of claws lose part of what they need to be happy. Besides the physical mutilation a declawing can change a cat's emotions. A cat could become aggressive and mentally have a difficult time adjusting to a clawless life.