Consider both sides of the debate before making the decision to declaw your cat.
Declawing cats is a hotly debated topic in the cat community. Many people believe that if a cat is going to live harmoniously with humans it needs to be declawed. They believe that the cat will destroy carpets, furniture, and drapes if not declawed. Still others believe that the declaw procedure is mutilation and should be made illegal.
Pros:
There are many benefits to having your cat declawed.
- The procedure eliminates the worry of having an inside cat destroy expensive furnishings.
- Cat scratches are a thing of the past.
- Individuals with a poor immune system may need to have their cat declawed to protect their own health.
- Cats have scent glands in their feet; when they claw carpets and furniture they are marking their territory. All cats carry out this behavior because it is a natural instinct. Cats will continue this behavior after being declawed but will not cause damage to the home.
Individuals against this procedure say that it causes litter box issues (due to associating the box with pain) and other behavior problems. Advocates for the declaw procedure will argue that the procedure will have no ill effect on the cats personality and litter box issues are more likely to come from a medical issue unrelated to having the claws removed. Removing the claws does not turn cats into biters. All cats can and will bite regardless of whether or not they have their claws.
Cons:
Those against declawing make a valid argument that should be considered.
- This procedure is permanent, once declawed you can't go back.
- The procedure is not a simple nail trim, it is an amputation of the first digit. It would be the equivalent to removing the tops of your fingers to the first knuckle. If the veterinarian removes too much tissue the cat will have a club foot and be maimed for life. If the veterinarian does not remove enough of the tissue the claw can grow back and require additional surgery.
- Infection is another complication that many cats face that requires additional treatment.
- This is unnecessary surgery. The cat is being subjected to an anesthetic to make a humans life easier. Why not take the time to train your cat not to claw inappropriately, and give your cat scratching posts it can use.
- This procedure is extremely painful. Many cats will continue to limp for months, in some cases years, following the procedure. Pain medication is usually given to the cat but this will only last a few days post operatively.
- Many believe that declawing will lead to litter box issues. The sand or gravel type litters may cause the cat to feel pain. If this occurs then the cat may associate the litter box with pain and start using the bathroom in other areas of the house. Many veterinarians will recommend that these types of litters be removed from the litter box and products such as Yesterdays News (made from recycled newspaper) or shredded paper be used as litter for at least 10 days following the declaw. This will give the cats' feet a chance to heal; and this complication can hopefully be avoided.
This procedure should not be taken lightly. It has been made illegal in Great Britain and some European countries. The ASPCA and the Humane Society also find declawing cats inhumane and ask that alternatives be considered. .
