When it comes to declawing cats, there is no truly humane way to do so. While the procedure is typically considered a simple and effective way to prevent damage to furniture and other household items, it can be a serious procedure that can cause lasting physical and behavioral issues to cats both immediately afterward and later in life.
Declawing involves surgically removing the entire toe bone, which is often referred to as an ‘amputation’ as opposed to just a clipping of the nails, and can result in pain, infection, nerve damage and lameness for cats.
Not only is the inherent procedure painful and potentially damaging, but it can also lead to lasting behavioral problems. Cats have claws for a variety of reasons, from climbing and defending themselves to expressing themselves and marking territory.
Without those claws, cats can become insecure, timid and can even experience long-term effects such as urinary tract issues and an increased sense of irritability.
Because of the potential long-term health and behavioral issues, many countries have banned or restricted the process of declawing cats, and generally the consensus is that it should only be used as a last resort.
It is for these reasons that it is generally considered inhumane to declaw cats, and there are certainly better alternatives that should be considered first (such as trimming the cats nails, using pet-approved scratching posts, using tape or fabric to cover furniture and reinforcing good behaviors with positive reinforcement).
Table of Contents
What can I do instead of declawing my cat?
Declawing cats is not an ideal solution to prevent them from scratching furniture or other household items. Instead, you should focus on providing your cat with appropriate scratching surfaces that are both attractive and durable.
You can achieve this by using scratching posts, scratching boards, and covered scratching boxes. Make sure to position them near areas where your cat likes to rest or play and make sure to use appropriate cat-safe materials, such as sisal rope, cardboard, or wood, for each surface.
You can also spray the furniture with cat-specific scratch deterrents. Adding toys or treats near the scratching surfaces will encourage your cat to use them instead of the furniture. Additionally, cats also enjoy being groomed and trimmed on a regular basis with tools such as a brush, comb, and nail clippers.
Ensuring that your cat’s nails are trimmed and filed regularly will help minimize the damage that sharp claws do to your furniture. Lastly, make sure to have your cat spayed or neutered, since this often helps reduce the amount of scratching or other unwanted behaviors that cats might exhibit.
Is it cruel to declaw a cat?
Declawing a cat is a controversial topic and there is much debate over whether or not it is a cruel act. On one hand, the procedure can be viewed as a form of animal cruelty because it involves the amputation of the third phalanx (or claw) of a cat’s toe and can cause pain and discomfort.
In some cases, declawing can lead to medical and behavioral problems, such as tissue necrosis, bone spurs, infections and pain that persist long after the initial procedure. For these reasons, many animal welfare organizations, such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), advise against declawing.
On the other hand, declawing can be beneficial for those with immune system diseases, who may be vulnerable to infections from cat scratches and bites. Declawing can also reduce litter box issues from cats scratching to cover their mess and it may help to protect furniture from being destroyed by cats using their claws.
Some argue that declawing should be considered a necessary alternative for those who cannot document or manage their cat’s toileting issues, who have small children in the home, or who are considering surrendering their pet due to inappropriate scratching behavior.
Each owner must assess the risks and potential benefits of declawing before making a decision. For those who do opt to declaw their cat, it is important to have the procedure done by a licensed veterinarian, while minimizing the amount of physical and emotional stress to the animal.
Regardless of the decision, it is essential to have an honest conversation with a veterinarian to ensure the cat’s care and quality of life.
Do cats feel pain when declawed?
Yes, cats feel pain when they are declawed. Declawing is a surgical procedure in which the last bones and front claw of the cat’s toe are amputated. Unfortunately, many people presume that declawing just removes the claws, but in fact it is much more serious.
When those bones and claws are removed, cats experience pain, discomfort and a permanent injury that can cause long-term physical and psychological problems. Consequently, declawing is a cruel and unnecessary procedure that should be avoided.
The American Veterinary Medical Association considers declawing to be a major surgery with potential long-term consequences. Cats need their claws to defend themselves, groom and to climb, and when they don’t have them, they can become anxious, stressed and develop fear aggression.
In many countries, declawing cats is illegal; in the US, it is only necessary for medical reasons in some states, and in the UK it is illegal to declaw cats in its entirety. Therefore, if you are considering declawing your cat, it’s highly advisable that you think again and use other means, such as regular nail trims, to care for their claws.
Are declawed cats in pain forever?
Declawed cats can experience pain if they have complications from the declawing procedure or were not taken care of properly afterwards. In most cases, the recovery process takes several weeks and, if done correctly, should not cause the cat to experience any long-term chronic pain.
However, cats that were declawed incorrectly may experience discomfort and pain for the rest of their lives. This can range from mild to intense depending on the severity of the complication. Additionally, cats who were declawed may experience additional pain and/or discomfort from walking on their tender toe pads or from hard surfaces, as their paws are now permanently damaged.
In these cases, it is important to provide your declawed cat with soft surfaces, such as blankets or rugs, to cushion their feet and lessen any discomfort they may experience.
What states is it illegal to declaw a cat?
It is illegal to declaw cats in several states within the United States. These states include California, Oregon, Colorado, West Virginia, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. However, while it is illegal in these states, declawing is still practiced in many other states.
Declawing cats is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a cat’s claw and the bone to which it is attached. This procedure can be very painful for cats and can have long-term health implications.
Therefore, the states that have banned declawing seek to protect cats from it and ensure their health and well-being.
Furthermore, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recommended that declawing should only be done as a last resort, when all other measures to prevent cats from scratching furniture or people have failed.
Additionally, the AVMA recommends that, if declawing is necessary, any procedure should make sure to use pain management and offer post-operative care to help cats recover.
Do cats get depressed after being declawed?
Yes, cats can get depressed after being declawed. Declawing is a major surgical procedure and some cats may be traumatized and experience behavioral changes afterwards. Declawed cats may become fearful and withdrawn, and can suffer from behavior problems such as not using the litter box, excessive grooming, slowing down and sleeping more, and hiding.
These behaviors can all be signs of anxiety or depression, so it is important to watch for these changes in your cat after declawing. If any of these signs are observed, seek advice from a veterinarian to help diagnose and manage the issue.
Additionally, providing environmental enrichment such as interactive toys and treats, and offering interactive playtime can help cats stay mentally and physically active, and encourage them to engage with the world around them.
In addition, having a safe and comfortable place to sleep and providing consistent structured routines are all beneficial for your cat’s emotional wellbeing.
How long is a cat in pain after declawing?
The recovery period for a cat after declawing can vary from pet to pet and depend on a variety of factors, such as the age and health of the cat, the declawing technique and method used, and the cat’s general pain tolerance.
Generally, most cats experience very little post-operative pain after declawing. For most cats, the initial pain should subside within 1 to 2 days and can be managed with pain relief medications such as NSAIDs and opioids if necessary.
After the first several days, they can usually return to a normal level of activity. Depending on the method used, it can take 3 to 4 weeks for the declaws to heal fully. Therefore, most cats can experience some level of pain and discomfort for a period of about 1 to 4 weeks.
It is important to note that declawing is a major surgical procedure and pain management is essential for a successful recovery. Therefore, owners should contact their veterinarians if their cat is showing any signs of pain or discomfort during the recovery period.
Can declawed cats be happy?
Yes, declawed cats can be happy. Many declawed cats live a long, happy life with their humans. After declawing, cats typically experience some pain and discomfort, but this generally subsides within a matter of days and doesn’t have any long-term negative effects on the cat’s overall health and wellbeing.
While it is true that declawed cats may be at risk of developing potential litter box issues or even aggression due to the discomfort associated with the declawing, this can usually be managed with proper training, environmental enrichment, and individualized care.
In addition, many cats who have been declawed are content with their new lifestyle and adjusted very nicely to their new environments. With proper care and love, cats who have been declawed can have just as much of a fulfilling life as any other pet.
Why do vets still declaw cats?
It is a fairly common practice for veterinarians to still declaw cats in the US, despite a growing body of evidence suggesting that doing so can cause long-term physical and behavioral problems. The primary reason that vets still declaw cats is because some cat owners view it as a way to prevent cats from damaging furniture, people, or other animals with their claws.
Furthermore, some people mistakenly believe that declawing their cats is a harmless procedure.
Unfortunately, declawing cats is not a harmless act. It is a major surgical procedure which requires the amputation of the third phalanx of each of the cat’s digits, effectively severing the cat’s claws from its paws.
This is an incredibly painful procedure, which can cause both short-term and long-term health consequences, ranging from pain, infection, and lameness to behavioral changes such as biting and urinating outside of the litter box.
Despite the fact that declawing cats is not a harmless procedure, some still choose to ignore the evidence and take their cats to the vet for the procedure. The ASPCA and other major animal welfare organizations have strongly discouraged declawing cats and have renamed the procedure “de-fingering” in order to more accurately describe the act and emphasize its potential harms.
Hopefully, through increased public awareness and education, more people and veterinarians will recognize the potentially serious consequences of declawing and choose to pursue alternative methods of dealing with destructive scratching.
Do cats become more aggressive after declawing?
Declawing cats is a controversial procedure that involves removing the claws from a cats toes. This is usually performed for the benefit of pet owners who want to protect their furniture and people from scratches.
However, it can be extremely disturbing for the cats, causing them a considerable amount of pain and stress. As a result, it is not uncommon for declawed cats to become more aggressive after the procedure.
This can manifest itself in increased vocalization, hissing and swatting at people or other animals. Unfortunately, this increase in aggression is a natural response after the cat is unable to use their claws as a defense mechanism.
To avoid these issues it is best to keep cats claws trimmed using special nail clippers instead of declawing them. Additionally, it is wise to provide appropriate scratching posts for their claws so that the furniture does not become a target for their natural behavior.
Ultimately, if a cat is declawed there is the potential for increased aggression so it is important to monitor their behavior accordingly.
Is a tendonectomy better than declawing?
A tendonectomy is a safer, more humane alternative to declawing. In a tendonectomy, the claws are not removed, but an incision is made in a tendon in the foot to prevent the muscles from allowing the cats to extend their claws.
This procedure does not cause any changes to the anatomy of the cats, does not reduce the value of the cats’ paws, and is considered the most humane declawing procedure. Cats retain the ability to balance and climb without the use of their claws, though they may find it more difficult.
In comparison, declawing involves surgically removing the third phalanx of each toe, which can cause complications including bleeding and painful nerve damage. Additionally, some cats may experience joint or skeletal problems due to the change in their body mechanics, or the amputation of the parts of their foot may lead to an increased susceptibility to certain types of infections.
Overall, while a tendonectomy may involve a minor procedure, it is much safer and less invasive than declawing. A tendonectomy procedure is preferred for cats, as it does not involve permanently removing the cats’ claws, allowing them to still enjoy activities such as balancing, scratching, and climbing.
Will vets put nail caps on cats?
Yes, vets will typically put nail caps on cats. This process involves putting plastic caps or soft covers on each of the cat’s claws, to keep them from scratching furniture or people. It is a quick, easy and painless process that can be done in the same appointment as a regular check-up.
The nail caps will not effect the cat’s ability to climb or exercise, and the cat will not feel them once the nail caps have been put on. The nail caps should be put on by a vet or experienced groomer, and replaced with new ones every 6-8 weeks.
This is a great option for cats that scratch furniture, either by habit or due to stress or boredom, and do not respond to declawing. It is much more humane and less invasive to the cat’s paws than declawing.
Do vets recommend declawing cats?
Veterinarians generally do not recommend declawing cats. Declawing cats is an invasive procedure that involves the amputation of the third phalanx of each paw, including the toe bone and joint as well as the claw.
The procedure can cause negative short- and long-term effects, including chronic pain and nerve damage, abnormal walking and standing, difficulty with normal grooming, a lesser ability to climb or jump, and altered behavior.
In some cases, cats may even become aggressive or shy away from their owners after the procedure. In addition, declawing does not eliminate problem scratching. Cats may still scratch with their hind legs or find other ways to damage furniture and carpets.
As such, veterinarians encourage other alternatives to declawing cats. These include training cats to use scratching posts and nail trimmers, using soft deterrents such as double-sided tape, cat deterrent spray, or Sticky Paws strips, as well as using soft vinyl nail caps (Soft Paws) for cats with chronic scratching issues.
How much does it cost to put nail caps on a cat?
The cost to put nail caps on a cat can vary depending on the product chosen, the experienced level of the groomer, and the number of nails that need to be capped. Generally, the cost is going to be somewhere between $20 to $50.
This price includes the supplies, such as the nail caps, adhesive, and any special tools that may be needed. Some groomers may also include the cost of trimming the nails as part of the overall price.
Depending on the size and breed of the cat, there may be additional costs if extra supplies or efforts are needed. It is best to ask your groomer for an estimate on the specific cost to put nail caps on your cat before the procedure is started.
