In many countries, declawing is sometimes used as what seems like a quick solution when cats scratch things they shouldn't. However, many cat lovers aren't aware of what the surgery actually entails.
It's not just removing the claw, it's amputating the end bone of each toe, right up to the first knuckle. Because a cat's claws grow directly from this bone, amputation is the only way to make sure the claws don't grow back.
As you might imagine, removing part of the toe can lead to some negative side effects for the cat, some of which might be unexpected.
Declawing Can Cause More Biting and Fear
While we often think of claws for scratching furniture, cats also rely on them for defense and to communicate warnings. A quick scratch or even just showing their claws can be a warning signal to other animals or people, telling them to back off or give them space. When a cat is declawed, they lose this key way to send a warning.
Because they can no longer give that warning signal, a declawed cat might feel they have to resort to biting much sooner when they feel threatened or scared. Losing their primary means of defense can also make a cat feel less secure overall, potentially leading to more general anxiety or fearfulness.
This lack of confidence can sometimes negatively affect how they interact with other pets in the home or even with their human family members.
Risk of Infection
Like any surgery, declawing carries a risk of infection afterward. It's especially challenging to keep a cat's paws clean following this procedure because they naturally need to use their litter box and walk around. An infection that develops after declawing can become serious, particularly if it reaches the remaining bones in the paws.
Because this danger exists following the procedure, it becomes essential for anyone caring for a recently declawed cat to watch the paws closely for signs of infection during healing. A veterinarian might also prescribe antibiotics after the surgery to help prevent complications.
Declawing Causes Long-Lasting Pain
So, just to recap, what declawing actually means is removing the final bone from every one of the cat's toes – it's much more than minor surgery. Depending on whether just the front or all four paws are involved, that's 10 or even 18 separate amputations. As you can imagine, this is extremely painful for the cat.
What makes it even harder is how cats walk – they naturally walk up on their toes, which is different from how people walk, flat-footed. This means right after the surgery, they are forced to put their weight directly onto these painful amputation sites just to move around.
This immediate stress on the healing paws carries significant risks, like infections developing or the wounds reopening. But the pain often doesn't stop once the paws look healed on the outside. Many cats suffer from chronic, lifelong pain in their feet after being declawed. The surgery permanently changes the structure of their feet, which can lead to painful conditions like arthritis later on.
Furthermore, the toes contain many nerves and blood vessels, and the amputation can cause permanent nerve damage, resulting in constant pain that can seriously impact a cat's ability to walk, jump, and play comfortably.
Behavior Problems Linked to Not Scratching
There's ongoing discussion about whether declawing can contribute to changes in a cat's behavior. Because scratching is such a natural activity for cats, some veterinary professionals worry that preventing them from doing it might cause emotional stress.
Interestingly, many cats will still go through the motions of scratching even after being declawed, although they can't get the same full-body stretch they used to. It's difficult to say if performing this action without claws provides the same sense of satisfaction for the cat.
Another worry is that declawing might contribute to other issues, like an increase in biting or problems with using the litter box (urinating or defecating inappropriately). While some studies have noted that these types of behavioral changes sometimes occur in declawed cats, the direct link isn't entirely proven.
It's still unclear if the declawing surgery itself is the definite cause of these behavioral shifts, so more research is needed to truly understand the relationship between declawing and potential long-term behavior changes in cats.
Final Thoughts
When you look at the big picture, why is declawing viewed as bad for cats? At its core, the main reason is simple! A cat's claws are a natural and essential part of their body. Surgically removing them forces your cat to figure out how to function without these important defenses, fundamentally changing how they interact with the world. Beyond the physical impact, this procedure can also break the trust and bond you share with your pet.
If you're still questioning whether declawing is truly unkind, try putting yourself in their paws for a moment. Imagine having the last bone of every one of your fingers and toes surgically removed. How would that feel? How would it change your daily life and your ability to do simple things?
Thinking about it this way often helps clarify why this procedure is so concerning.
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
