Declawing cats is an unnecessary and cruel procedure that involves amputating the last digit of each toe. It is painful and can cause cats extreme difficulty with walking, balance, and muscle weakness.
Despite international restrictions, the procedure is still performed for convenience. In this article, we explore the natural behavior of cats, the effects of declawing surgery, alternatives to declawing, and ethical considerations.
Natural Behavior of Cats
Cats naturally claw for various reasons. They do it to exercise, maintain their nails, and mark their territory. Clawing is a healthy behavior that allows cats to stretch their muscles and visually and with scent mark their territory. However, some people choose to have their cats declawed to protect their furniture. This procedure involves amputating the last digit of each toe and often causes extreme pain and difficulty walking. In addition, cats may become reclusive, irritable, and aggressive without their first line of defense. It is important to note that declawing is illegal in many countries because it is considered cruel and offers no benefit to cats.
Thankfully, there are alternative methods to prevent furniture damage. Providing appropriate scratching posts and regular nail trimming are effective alternatives that do not involve any form of cruelty.
Declawing Surgery
Declawing is a serious surgery that involves removing the last digit of each toe, often resulting in extreme pain and difficulty walking. It weakens muscles in the legs, shoulders, and back over time. Nails can also grow back inside the paw, causing intense pain. Without claws, cats can find it difficult to balance and may need to relearn how to walk.
In some cases, cats become morose, reclusive, withdrawn, irritable, aggressive, and unpredictable as a result. Without their first line of defense, they can become fearful and more prone to biting. Nearly two dozen countries, including England, Australia, and Japan, have prohibited or severely restricted declawing as it is recognized as a painful and crippling procedure.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to declawing. With patience and effort, it is possible to redirect a cat’s scratching behavior with appropriate scratching posts and regular nail trimming.
Behavioral Changes in Declawed Cats
Behavioral changes can occur in declawed cats. This includes increased irritability, aggression, and biting. Cats may feel insecure without their first line of defense and may start to urinate and defecate outside the litterbox to mark their territory. They can become reclusive, withdrawn, and unpredictable. Balance issues and the need to relearn how to walk are common due to the lack of claws. Biting can be increased as a means of self-protection.
Contrary to popular belief, declawed cats are not necessarily safer around babies. Alternatives to declawing exist, such as providing scratching posts and regular nail trimming.
International Restrictions on Declawing
Nearly two dozen countries have imposed restrictions on declawing due to its painful and permanently crippling effects. England, Australia, and Japan are just a few of the countries that have recognized declawing as cruel and have prohibited or severely restricted the procedure. By doing so, they have put in place measures to protect cats from unnecessary harm.
In addition to its painful nature, declawing can cause cats to experience extreme difficulty walking and may weaken their leg, shoulder, and back muscles over time. Furthermore, nails can grow back inside the paw, creating extreme discomfort.
Alternatives to Declawing
Many compassionate veterinarians refuse to perform declawing, instead recommending alternative methods to protect furniture from cats’ claws. These alternatives offer cats a humane way to retain their claws and keep furniture safe. With patience and effort, owners can encourage their cats to use scratching posts and other approved items instead of the furniture. Regular nail trimming is another effective way to manage cats’ claws. All of these methods can be used to redirect cats’ natural behavior without inflicting pain.
Providing a variety of scratching surfaces and objects for cats to use is an important step in preventing furniture damage. Posts covered with sisal, cardboard, or carpet can be used to reward cats for scratching in the right places. Placing double-sided tape on furniture can also discourage cats from scratching there. Toys, such as catnip-filled balls and feathered wands, can help cats get their exercise and sharpening their claws on appropriate objects.
With some extra effort, owners can protect their furniture from cats without declawing.
Painful Effects of Declawing
Declawing surgery causes cats to experience extreme pain and difficulty walking due to the amputation of their toes. This surgery weakens leg, shoulder, and back muscles over time, and can even cause nails to grow back inside the paw, causing further pain.
Declawed cats may also start urinating and defecating outside the litterbox due to insecurity, and can become morose, reclusive, irritable, aggressive, and unpredictable. The lack of claws can lead to balance issues and a need to relearn how to walk.
Nearly two dozen countries have banned or severely restricted the procedure as it is considered cruel and offers no benefit to cats. There are alternative methods to prevent cats from damaging furniture, such as providing scratching posts and regular trimming.
Reasons Behind Declawing
People often opt for declawing as a means of convenience or to prevent damage to furniture, but the procedure can have permanent and painful effects on cats.
Declawing removes the last digit of each toe, resulting in extreme pain and difficulty walking. It weakens leg, shoulder, and back muscles, and the nails can grow back inside the paw, causing acute discomfort.
Cats may also experience behavioral changes due to the lack of claws, such as increased biting, urinating outside the litterbox, and becoming reclusive or aggressive.
Many countries have prohibited or restricted declawing due to its painful and mutilating nature, and veterinarians are strongly urged to consider humane alternatives, such as providing scratching posts and regular nail trimming.
Financial Cost of Declawing
The financial cost of declawing a cat can be quite high. Vets typically charge from $100 to $400 for the procedure, depending on the cat’s age, size, and health condition. This figure does not include pre-surgery tests, anesthesia, or any post-operative care. Owners may also need to pay for antibiotics, painkillers, and additional visits if complications arise.
Recovery times can also be lengthy, which can lead to additional financial costs. Declawed cats may need more frequent vet visits and require specialized food, toys, and litter. All of these costs can add up quickly and may not be covered by pet insurance.
The financial burden of declawing can be great, and it is important to consider the potential costs before moving forward.
Long-Term Consequences of Declawing
Removing a cat’s claws can lead to long-term consequences that can be physically, emotionally, and financially burdensome. Cats often experience extreme pain and difficulty walking after the surgery. Declawing weakens leg, shoulder, and back muscles over time. Nails can grow back inside the paw, causing extreme pain.
The lack of claws can lead to balance issues and the need to relearn how to walk. Insecurity can lead to increased biting as a means of self-protection. Declawed cats may start urinating and defecating outside the litterbox. They can become morose, reclusive, withdrawn, irritable, and aggressive.
The financial cost of declawing is only the beginning of the burden. It is important to consider the long-term consequences of declawing before making the decision.
Ethical Considerations of Declawing
The consequences of declawing cats are not limited to physical pain and discomfort. Ethically, it is considered a violation of the veterinarian’s oath. Declawing is viewed as an unnecessary, cruel, and permanently crippling procedure.
Nearly two dozen countries, such as England, Australia, and Japan, have prohibited or severely restricted declawing. These restrictions are in place to protect cats from unnecessary harm and to uphold the ethical oath of veterinarians. The procedure is seen as painful, mutilating, and offering no benefit to cats. Many veterinarians refuse to perform it, even where it is legal.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to declawing. With patience and effort, it is possible to redirect a cat’s scratching behavior. Providing appropriate scratching posts and regular nail trimming are effective alternatives.
