Should I Declaw My Cat?

Declawing Cats and Alternatives to Feline Declaw

               Whether or not to declaw a cat has long been a subject of controversy.  How do you decide if it is the right procedure for you cat, and, are their alternatives?  First of all, what happens when we declaw a cat?  Many people do not realize that we are actually amputating the first part of the cat’s toe.  This can only be done under general anesthesia and it is necessary to remove part of the toe to make sure the entire nail bed is gone so the nail does not grow back. 

               Personally, I feel it is better not to declaw cats.  There are multiple alternatives that allow cats to keep their claws.  Cats can have their nails trimmed regularly to dull the tips and prevent scratching.  Cats can be taught to use scratching posts in the house reducing clawing of furniture.  Using a combination of positive reinforcement like treats or negative reinforcement such as a squirt bottle, many cats can be taught not to scratch furniture, climb walls or curtains or scratch people, but it may take patience and some effort to do so.  There is also a commercial product called Soft Paws^R which is a set of small plastic caps that can be glued over the tips of the nails to make them dull.  In any case, it is strongly recommended NOT to declaw cats who spend time outside or to remove the rear claws as this reduces the cats’ defense mechanisms.

               We recognize that there are some instances where declawing a cat may be preferred.  Owners of cats who are overly destructive and resistant to the methods mentioned above and could not be kept otherwise may need to consider declawing.  Households with elderly owners, very young infants, or those on blood thinners, with bleeding disorders or with poor immune systems may have to have their cats declawed for health reasons.   

               Please do not assume that just because you own an indoor cat that it must automatically be declawed, or that a cat who is already declawed cannot live with a cat who has claws.  Take a moment to consider if one of the alternatives to declawing might be right for your cat.  If you are having trouble deciding whether or not to declaw your cat, our doctors and nurses would be happy to discuss it with you to determine if it is the right procedure for you and your kitty. 

               This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding areas.