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Is it really cruel to declaw a cat?

Leia Doyle

Is it really cruel to declaw a cat?

Declawing also can cause lasting physical problems for your cat. Many countries have banned declawing. The Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing except for the rare cases when it is necessary for medical purposes, such as the removal of cancerous nail bed tumors.

Why do vets still declaw cats?

Exceptions to Declawing Bans In New York, vets can still declaw cats if the surgery is part of an effort to fix a related health issue like a tumor or infection, according to NPR. Some groups have argued the procedure should be allowed as a last resort—if it would keep a cat from being abandoned or euthanized.

Can declawed cats be happy?

It makes them happy. “Declawing takes away all of this as well as their integral means of movement, balance and defense,” the vet explains. A lot of declawed cats do eventually adjust, more or less. But others go through a personality change as a result of the trauma, becoming withdrawn or aggressive, as Jason did.

Is it inhumane to declaw an indoor cat?

Declawing is a painful, risk-filled procedure that is done only for the convenience of humans. There are only extremely rare instances, when claws are affected by a medical condition, that declawing cats can be considered anything but inhumane.

What can I do instead of declawing my cat?

With that in mind, we offer three alternatives to declawing your cat.

  • Safeguard tempting surfaces. Many cat owners prefer an approach that emphasizes deterrence.
  • Try vinyl nail caps. Soft Paws™ nail caps were developed by a veterinarian to act as sheaths over your pet’s claws.
  • Make nail trimming a routine.

Are declawed cats always in pain?

Right after being declawed, the cat will be in pain. Vets will prescribe medicine to help manage the immediate pain. There may also be bleeding, swelling and infection. One study found that 42% of declawed cats had ongoing long-term pain and about a quarter of declawed cats limped.

Is a Tendonectomy better than declawing?

Performing a tendonectomy on a cat is an alternative to onychectomy (“declawing”), which amputates the end of each digit. Tendonectomy may be considered less painful for the cat than onychectomy; however, it is not recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and is illegal in many countries.

What age is best to declaw a cat?

Between 3 and 6 months of age is ideal. Typically, our veterinarians suggest you declaw your cat at spay or neuter time. For many cats, that’s around 5 or 6 months of age. If your kitten is already spayed or neutered, we may perform the declaw surgery earlier.

Do vets recommend declawing cats?

Safeguarding the welfare of domestic cats. AVMA discourages declawing as an elective procedure and supports non-surgical alternatives. Veterinarians should provide complete education about the normal scratching behavior of cats, the procedure, and potential risks to the patient.

How long are cats in pain after being declawed?

Some degree of discomfort is expected. In younger cats, pain experienced after the declaw procedure should lessen within 10 days and lameness (limping) should improve within one week. In older cats, this time frame may be longer.

What is the best age to have a cat declawed?

Do vets still declaw cats?

Declawing is outlawed in many developed countries, but not the US and most of Canada. However, many American veterinary associations are opposed to declawing, except as a last resort. Before you resort to declawing your cat, try training it first. Yes indeed, cats can be trained.

Do cats feel pain after being declawed?

Can cats jump after being declawed?

Cats that are declawed should not go outdoors anyway. This is especially important for a week following declawing. No jumping, running, or rough play for 10-14 days to avoid bleeding from the paws. After 10-14 days, your cat can return to normal activity.

Is Declawing Still Necessary? Naturally, a large majority of vets who declaw cats believe the procedure is necessary in some cases, either for behavioral reasons or as an alternative to euthanasia or abandonment. They want the client to find alternatives through behavior modification.

Is it OK to declaw an indoor cat?

People often mistakenly believe that declawing their cats is a harmless “quick fix” for unwanted scratching. They don’t realize that declawing can make a cat less likely to use the litter box or more likely to bite. However, infectious disease specialists don’t recommend declawing.

The Best Alternatives to Declawing Cats

  • Nail Trimming. Nail trimming reduces the damage a cat can do when it scratches.
  • Scratching Posts. Dr.
  • Sticky Tape. Tape-like products and pads that have a tacky texture help reduce furniture, wall and wood scratching.
  • Nail Covers. Dr.
  • Pheromones.

Is there a humane way to declaw cats?

Laser declawing is considered by some in the veterinary community to be the most humane method for declawing. Reasons cited for this are that the toes undergo less trauma with laser, nerve endings are “sealed” off leading to less pain, and less bleeding occurs.

Do cats personality change after declawing?

Does declawing a cat affect its personality? Numerous studies that have researched a potential correlation between cat declawing and personality changes strongly indicate that none exists.

Should you declaw an indoor cat?

Once a cat is declawed, it should be kept strictly indoors since the pet will no longer be able to defend itself or climb to escape a potential predator. Declawing Might Not Stop Harmful Behavior.

Do cats realize they’ve been declawed?

People often mistakenly believe that declawing their cats is a harmless “quick fix” for unwanted scratching. They don’t realize that declawing can make a cat less likely to use the litter box or more likely to bite. Declawing also can cause lasting physical problems for your cat. Many countries have banned declawing.