Pros Of Declawing Cats
Additionally, some people claim that declawing cats may save the lives of cats that would otherwise be euthanized in shelters because their owners dont want to live with their destructiveness.
In some instances, declawing might allow an owner to keep a cat that scratches them , especially for people who are ill or immuno-compromised.
Is Declawing Cats Legal
Depending on where you live, declawing cats may not be permitted by law. Declawing is banned in many European countries and the United Kingdom.
In Canada, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association states that it opposes elective and non-therapeutic partial digital amputation, commonly known as declawing or onychectomy, of domestic cats and that scratching is a normal behaviour in cats.
In the United States, declawing is illegal in a number of cities, including the city of Denver, Colorado, as well as the entire state of New York and Maryland. More and more cities and states are considering legislation to prohibit the declawing of cats.
Several major animal organizations in the U.S. are opposed to elective declawing for domestic cats, including the American Association of Feline Practitioners , the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals . The American Veterinary Medical Association states that it discourages the declawing of cats as an elective procedure and supports non-surgical alternatives to the procedure.
Understanding The Procedure For Declawing Cats
As veterinary care providers we are here to help provide you with accurate and unbiased information about declawing cats in order for you to make an informed, educated decision on behalf of your furry feline friend.
- Blade Declawing: An instrument with a sliding blade cuts a straight line through the joint between the entire claw growth and the rest of the cat’s paw. This is the most common method of declawing kittens or adult cats, and is the most invasive.
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Place Scratching Aversions On Unacceptable Scratching Items
If your cat is scratching a couch, chair, or other piece of furniture, try using a scratching aversion. One option is to cover the furniture with a protective layer of fabric . If this isnt enough to deter your cat, use something your cat wont like the feel of.
Cats who arent deterred by fabric coverings may be less inclined to scratch surfaces covered in plastic. Try using a plastic curtain to wrap the object in question. Placing aluminum foil on the surface is another option, as is double-sided tape.
Covering a surface with double-sided tape can be tedious unless you use a product designed specifically for that purpose. KatSupreme Anti-Cat Scratch Furniture Protector is an example worth considering. It consists of large sheets of double-sided tape you can quickly affix to a variety of surfaces including polyester, cotton, and velvet. Your cat wont like the sticky feel under their paws, so theyll find something else to scratch hopefully a scratching post!
For cats that scratch carpeting or other types of flooring, place a plastic office chair mat over the area with the spikey side facing up.
Place an acceptable scratching surface next to each item you cover. For instance, you might place a scratching post near the couch arm or a horizontal scratching board near the covered carpet. You can also sprinkle catnip near the acceptable scratching items to entice your cat to use them. In time, your cat will learn to leave the forbidden item alone and you can uncover it.
Get A Variety Of Cat Toys
Your cat might be scratching all over your living room as a result of being bored. You can make sure that he is always entertained by getting him the right interactive cat toys that will attract his attention.
Apart from entertainment, toys also help cats in exercising and building on their natural skills like hunting.
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Cat Declawing: Should It Be Banned And Why Does It Happen In The Us
New York might become the first US state to ban cat declawing.
In a bipartisan move on Tuesday, lawmakers voted to make the procedure illegal, except where it is medically necessary for the cat.
The governor, Andrew Cuomo, needs to review and sign the bill before it becomes law.
Critics say cat declawing – which involves cutting off a segment of the bone attached to the claw – is “barbaric and inhumane”.
But the New York Veterinary Medical Society has argued that it should still be an option when otherwise the cat might be abandoned or put down.
Cat declawing is already illegal in many countries in Europe, including the UK, as well as Brazil, Israel, Australia and New Zealand.
Why is it so controversial – and why does it still happen in the US?
Negative Side Effects Of Declawing Your Cat
There are few subjects related to cat ownership as hotly debated as declawing. There are passionate arguments on each side of the issue, with some veterinarians so staunchly against declawing that they refuse to perform the procedure. Declawing is illegal in the United Kingdom and throughout much of Europe, and many U.S. states are considering legislation to ban the procedure.
Most people on the anti-declawing side of the spectrum are there because they consider the procedure cruel, but ethics are not the only reason cat owners should think long and hard before declawing their pets. In some cases, the procedure is known to have negative long-term side effects. While most pet owners dont take the decision to declaw their cats lightly, they should do some deep research into these side effects before making this irreversible decision.
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To Declaw Or Not To Declaw
As much as you love your cat, his constant need to claw your living room sofa isnt exactly desirable. After furnishing your home with numerous scratching posts and still no improvement, you may be asking yourself, what now? As a very last resort, it may be time to consider declawing surgery. A choice not without controversy, the procedure should only be done after careful consideration with all of the facts.
When we perform a declaw procedure, we are removing the entire third phalanx of the toe, said Dr. Mark Stickney, Clinical Associate Professor at the Texas A& M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. So not only the claw that you can see, but the associated bone that attaches to the next bone in the toe.
The declawing procedure is controversial in veterinary medicine today, and like any other surgical procedure, there are a number of risks that go along with the purported benefits.
People have a bad feeling about the procedure because they anthropomorphize to themselves of what it would be like to lose the end of their finger, which would be a big deal for a person, but a cat doesnt need to type or write like we do, said Stickney. They extend those claws when theyre ready to do something destructive or to defend themselves otherwise, those digits are naturally retracted and unseen.
Best Reasons Not To Declaw Your Cat
Christelle L. Del Prete
Coralines caregivers at Cat World describe her coat as talico, or a mixture of calico and tabby. She has white markings and big orange patches mixed in with her brown tabby stripes. The look is just unique enough to catch the eye of a potential adopter, and Coraline, curled up in her cozy cat bed, seems calm and sweet. But last year when the 12-year-old cat lost her home and found herself in a shelter, her chances of being adopted were slim.
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Why Do The Uk And Us Have Such Different Cat Cultures
“A big difference is that many more cats in the US are kept exclusively indoors,” says Dr Sarah Ellis, an expert in feline behaviour at International Cat Care.
Experts believe Americans are more likely to keep cats indoors because many live in high-rise buildings in the city. Meanwhile, in rural places in the US, there are more likely to be predators such as coyotes and wolves.
Outdoor cats may find more suitable scratching material outside – like trees. It is also unsafe to declaw cats that go outside, as they may need their claws to protect themselves.
However, there is also a cultural difference, says Mr Birdsall.
“For Americans, it’s a matter of freedom and convenience – the right to the freedom to make decisions in terms of how you raise your cat, and convenience, because once you remove the claws, you don’t ever have to worry about you or the furniture getting scratched.”
“By contrast, in the UK, any concerns for freedom and convenience are vastly dwarfed by concern to the welfare of the cat – it’s unthinkable to declaw cats in Europe.”
Is Laser Cat Declawing Better
It offers many benefits over traditional declawing, including less bleeding and a reduced chance of infection. Laser declawing is a permanent way of declawing cats and assuring the claws do not grow back. Your cat’s feet are less likely to bleed after the procedure because the laser cauterizes as it cuts.
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Why Is Declawing So Controversial
Many experts say studies suggest that declawed cats are more likely to have health problems, such as back pain, or behavioural problems, such as aggression.
“Some studies suggest cats who have been declawed have a higher percentage of cortisol , which is often associated with pain,” says Steve Dale, an animal behaviour consultant and pet journalist in Chicago.
Meanwhile, a study that scanned declawed cat paws found that “very few people actually do it properly – the procedure tends to leave bone fragments,” says Prof Gunn-Moore, adding that this could leave cats stepping on tiny fragments of bone when they walk.
Dr Endersby says that cats can continue to feel pain after the declawing procedure. “Part of its weight is borne on its toes – so after the declawing process their gait changes as they put their weight through their paws.”
However, Dr Drew Weigner, a vet in Atlanta who works on a foundation that funds feline medical research, cautions that “behavioural studies are notoriously difficult to accomplish successfully”.
Many vets, he argues, simply consider the procedure unethical now because it’s an unnecessary procedure.
Shakes-purr-rean cat at Stratford-upon-Avon cafe
What Percent Of Cats Are Declawed
There is no definitive answer to this question as it varies from country to country and even from region to region. However, a quick Google search suggests that the percentage of cats that are declawed is somewhere between 10 and 20%.
So, why do people declaw their cats? There are a few reasons. Some people do it for aesthetics, as they think it makes the cat look more clean and polished. Others do it for practical reasons, such as to prevent the cat from scratching furniture or people. And still others believe that its in the cats best interest to have the procedure done, as it can help prevent them from getting injuries or infections.
Regardless of the reasons, declawing is a major surgery that should not be undertaken lightly. Its important to talk to your veterinarian about the risks and benefits before making a decision.
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Support Legislation Banning Declawing
At least 42 countries have made declawing illegal, including England, France, Wales, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, and Israel. In Canada, declawing is outlawed in eight provincesNewfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Alberta, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
In the United States, declawing is outlawed in Austin, Denver, the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, Pittsburgh, and Madison. It is also outlawed in eight California cities: West Hollywood, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Santa Monica, and Burbank. In 2019, New York became the first state in the United States to outlaw declawing. Maryland became the second in 2022.
Over the past years, an increasing number of state bills in the United States have been introduced to ban declawing, indicating that jurisdictions nationwide are finally recognizing declawing as cruel and inhumane.
You have the power to protect cats in your community by supporting legislation to ban declawing. We have the tools to help! Alley Cat Allies has played a part in many of the landmark decisions to ban cat declawing, including the first ever statewide declawing bans enacted in New York and Maryland. We are committed to informing and rallying compassionate advocates like you to take action in favor of declawing bans wherever they arise.
Check out our Action Center to see if there is a declawing ban currently up for consideration where you live.
Is It Really Cruel To Declaw A Cat If The Cat Will Never Go Outside And Will Only Be An Indoor Pet
This is a question that has been hotly debated among animal lovers for years. Some people believe that declawing a cat is tantamount to mutilation, while others believe that it is a necessary evil in order to keep an indoor cat from shredding furniture.
There is no easy answer to this question. It is undoubtedly true that declawing a cat is a painful and stressful experience for the animal. It is also true that declawed cats are less likely to be adopted from shelters, and may have behavior problems as a result of the surgery.
On the other hand, many people believe that declawing a cat is the best way to ensure that it can live a happy and healthy life as an indoor pet. Declawed cats are less likely to scratch furniture or humans, and are less likely to be abandoned or euthanized when they do scratch someone.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to declaw a cat is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and each situation must be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Apply Vinyl Nail Caps
If you follow all of this advice and your cat is still inappropriately scratching, you may want to invest some time and patience into applying vinyl nail caps. The popular Soft Paws, developed by a veterinarian, fit over and adhere to your cats claws with a bit of glue. The caps dont interfere with your cats normal scratching behavior, but protect scratched surfaces from damage. They are non-toxic and generally easy to apply. Most cats adapt to vinyl nail caps with easethe trick is keeping your cat still for long enough to apply them! Follow some of the tips I covered in the nail-trimming section above, and you shouldnt have a problem.
Trim Your Cats Nails Regularly
Again, scratching is normal cat behavior. The biggest complaint I hear from pet owners is that their cat is scratching their furniture and home furnishings. There are so many alternatives to declawing to deter this behavior, such as providing the right cat-scratching furniture .
However, the firstthing you need to do to deter unwanted scratching is make sure your cats nails are trimmed. Trim your cats nails at least once a month. In fact, I add it to my Google calendar so I remember to do this. You can take your cat to a groomer or your veterinary office, but its also generally easy to trim his nails at home.
Pro tip: Using nail clippers with rounded edges makes for easier trimming human toe clippers may cause the claw to split.
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What Can I Do Instead Of Declawing My Cat
There are a few things you can do to avoid declawing your cat. One is to provide them with ample scratching surfaces, such as a scratching post or cat tree. You can also trim their nails regularly to keep them from getting too sharp. Finally, you can use nail caps or SoftPaws, which are plastic caps that fit over your cats nails and prevent them from causing damage.
Are Things Changing In The Us
They certainly seem to be. In addition to the proposed legislation in New York, individual cities such as Los Angeles and Denver have also banned declawing.
“Twenty years ago it was considered something you do – you get a cat, you declaw them,” says Dr Weigner. However, he argues that in recent years declawing has become “an increasingly controversial procedure… we stopped declawing cats at our practice a long time ago.”
Mr Dale says that, based on his personal experience, younger vets seem to be more supportive of a ban, especially as more recent research appears to provide evidence against declawing.
Mr Birdsall grew up in the US with pet cats that were declawed – but says that after living in the UK, he has discovered alternatives to declawing, such as trimming their claws. “Now I’m much more uncomfortable with the procedure, and don’t see the need for it”.
In the US, “things are generally trending in an anti-declawing direction… although it’s not a surprise that the one state moving towards banning the practice is a liberal blue state, and cities banning it are typically viewed as left-leaning,” he adds.
“Like many other issues, cat claws could become a politicised cultural issue in the US.”
The squirrels being raised among kittens
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Is Declawing Cats Painful
If left untrimmed, cat nails can grow until they puncture the paw pad, which is painful and can cause an infection.
Declawing is a surgical amputation of the last knuckle of each toe. As with any surgery, a .
For this reason, most veterinarians routinely prescribe analgesic medication to assist with pain. If your cat is being declawed, ask your veterinarian about the pain-management protocol they plan to use.
Whether declawed cats experience pain that lasts beyond the immediate recovery period is not known for sure.
The topic is hotly debated and even has a name: post-declaw pain syndrome. Some people believe that cats experience pain after a declaw for not just days or weeks, but months or even years, due to nerve damage that occurs during the surgery.
Pain may be traditional pain or may be phantom pain, similar to what human amputees report . Cats may limp or exhibit other signs of pain or discomfort long after they have healed from the surgery.
Some people also believe that declawed cats have more behavioral problems related to chronic residual pain, such as litter box avoidance and aggression. Because declawing a cat changes the shape of the foot, the procedure may also affect how the cat walks, runs and climbs.