The Case Against Declawing Your Cat



Declawing a cat is a major surgical procedure, performed under general
anesthesia. It is actually amputation of the last joint on each toe, not a
simple removal of the claw itself as many are led to believe.

Cats walk on their toes, unlike most mammals who walk on the soles of their
feet. Their musculature, joints, tendons and ligaments are all designed to
distribute their body weight to their toes. The claw is not a nail like
human fingernails or toenails. It is actually a part of the last bone in a
cat's toe. If you were to "declaw" a human in the same way a cat is
declawed, you would be amputating all 10 fingers at the last joint!

There is a real possibility of complications after any major surgery, and
declawing is no exception. There is the possibility of hemorrhage,
infection, extreme pain and bone chips.
There is also the possibility of nerve damage.

The cat can become withdrawn, distant, fearful and/or aggressive, and often
start biting, as this is the only means of defense left to them.
Occasionally the cat will stop using the litter box because immediately
after surgery it was painful to scratch in the litter box, and now they
associate that pain with the litter box

Some countries have made declawing cats illegal. They have considered it
an abusive practice. Getting a good scratching post for your cat and
teaching him to use it will help save furniture. Your cat needs his claws
for defense and hunting if he ever gets lost. Look for alternative methods
to save things from your cat’s claws—just save your cat’s claws. He will
be happier and healthier from the choice and you will be happier knowing
your feline friend has what he needs to survive.