Declawing might seem like a quick fix if your cat scratches furniture, but the truth is much harsher. To declaw a cat means to amputate the last bone of each toe, equivalent to removing a human finger at the first knuckle, not just the nail.
This surgery comes with serious risks and long-term effects that every cat owner should know.
1. Declawing Increases Biting and Fear
Cats use their claws for defense and to send warning signals. Without claws, many cats feel more vulnerable.
- They may resort to biting instead of scratching.
- Loss of security can cause anxiety and fearfulness.
- Relationships with humans or other pets may suffer.
2. Higher Risk of Infection
Any surgery carries risks, but paws are especially hard to keep clean.
- Litter boxes expose paws to bacteria.
- Post-surgery infections can become severe.
- Antibiotics are often required, and recovery can be difficult.
3. Long-Lasting Pain
Declawing is 10 to 18 amputations, depending on whether it’s the front paws or all four.
- Cats walk on their toes, so they put weight directly on painful surgical sites.
- Chronic pain and nerve damage are common.
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Many cats develop arthritis and mobility issues later in life.
4. Behavior Problems
Declawing removes more than claws, as it takes away a natural behavior.
- Cats may still “scratch” but lose the stretch and satisfaction.
- Stress can show up as litter box avoidance or increased biting.
- Some cats display long-term behavior changes, though research is ongoing.
Why Is Declawing Bad for Cats?
Declawing fundamentally changes a cat's interaction with their world. To grasp its severity, imagine having the last bone of each of your fingers and toes surgically removed. How would this impact your ability to walk, stretch, or even protect yourself?
Such is the reality for declawed felines, and thinking about it this way often helps clarify why this procedure is so concerning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Declawing
Q: Are cats without claws at a disadvantage when it comes to self-defense?
A: Absolutely. Declawing takes away a cat's main defense, their front claws, forcing them to bite instead. Using back claws for defense is impractical, as it requires the cat to be on its back, leaving them extremely vulnerable and at a disadvantage.
Q: Despite its harm, why does declawing continue to be performed?
A: Declawing can be a profitable service for veterinary practices. While there are exceedingly rare medical situations, like a tumor in the nail bed, where declawing is truly necessary, almost all proposed bans on the procedure include exceptions for such cases. Claims by opponents that bans restrict a vet's ability to treat patients are often unfounded, as medical necessity clauses are consistently integrated into these prohibitions.
Q: What exactly does a declawing prohibition entail?
A: A declawing prohibition refers to a law, enacted at a city or state level, that makes it illegal to surgically remove a cat's claws unless there is a genuine medical reason to do so.
You May Also Like These Articles:
- Is Declawing Cats Harmful and Bad?
- Ways to Redirect Your Cat's Scratching Behavior
- Interesting Facts About Cat Claws That You Never Knew
