Pet Care Tips

Declawing Cats - Why NOT to do it

From time to time, PAWS receives calls from people who have lost declawed cats. Our hearts go out to these cats as they seldom find their way home. They have been rendered defenceless and rarely survive outdoors. Other people call, asking for assistance to declaw their cats. Their main reason - they don't want the cat scratching the furniture!

PAWS does not support declawing. It is not a simple 'nail removal' procedure. It is major surgery that is painful and inhumane. In almost every country where cats are respected as companion animals declawing is illegal except in Canada and the United States.

Declawing means amputation, ten of them actually. Not only is the claw removed, but also the bone in which it is rooted. Tendons and ligaments are severed; surrounding soft tissue and flesh is cut off. Complications of the surgery include excruciating pain, damage to nerves, bleeding, bone chips and painful regrowth of deformed claw. Even without complications, the cat experiences excruciating pain during recovery. They have been observed bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of the pain, or huddling in the corner, immobilized. Cats stand and walk on the whole paw. With the end of the paw amputated the cat has to modify its stance, putting strain on the paws and causing long-term pain. Shortened paws causes the feet to meet the ground at an unnatural angle, which can result in back pain.  Declawed cats have higher rates of litter box issues because they have trouble digging with sore and deformed paws.

Cats need claws! They need to scratch to release stress, affirm territory, exercise muscles, scratch an itch, manipulate prey (mice or toys), climb to safety or fend off an attacker. A declawed cat cannot even scratch or groom itself properly. Their shoulders and upper back gradually weaken because scratching is the main exercise to keep them strong.

A stressed cat can become a very aggressive cat, resorting to biting and other negative behaviours because it cannot scratch.

A scratching cat is a happy cat!

For more information about declawing and how to manage a cat with claws, call PAWS.