Three Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Declaw Your Cat

Many pet owners elect to have their cats declawed in an effort to curb destructive behavior and protect things like furniture and walls that often become damaged as a result of cat scratching. However, many animal-advocacy organizations, along with veterinarians across the country, have come out against this practice because of its many negative effects.

If you’re wondering, “Is there a humane way to declaw cats?” keep reading to consider some of the reasons why declawing can be so harmful and for some information about alternatives to declawing.

Problems caused by declawing

There are a lot of reasons why professionals and experts who specialize in feline health and wellness have advocated for pet owners to stop declawing their cats. Here are a few of the main reasons why pet owners should avoid declawing their cats:

• Chronic pain and inflammation: The most serious and concerning problem caused by cat declawing is chronic pain. During the declawing procedure, the first knuckles of a cat’s toes are amputated. After the procedure, leftover bone matter can often cause persistent irritation and cause cats to suffer chronic pain.
• Inappropriate urination: One of the strangest issues associated with cat declawing is inappropriate urination. Cats who have been declawed are significantly more likely to urinate and defecate outside of their litter box than cats that aren’t declawed. This behavior is often associated with the chronic pain caused by declawing.
• Increased aggression: Another serious problem caused by declawing is increased aggression in cats. Claws provide cats with a natural defense mechanism, and cats without claws may feel more vulnerable and, as a result, may exhibit more aggressive behaviors towards humans and other animals. In addition, the chronic pain associated with declawing can make cats more irritable and, as a result, increase aggression.

Is there a humane way to declaw cats?

Even people who know about some of the risks of declawing might wonder whether there is a humane way to declaw cats. While modern surgical methods can produce better outcomes for cats, the reality is that the risks of the procedure always outweigh the benefits because there is no medical benefit of declawing cats. The declawing process is designed to protect furniture—but that comes at the expense of a cat’s health and well-being.

How can I help my cat’s claws without declawing?

If you’re wondering, “How can I help my cat’s claws without declawing?” there are options.

First, nail trimming can make a huge difference. Nail trimming, when done properly, is totally painless to cats and dulls nails to prevent damage caused by scratching. Another way to curb destructive scratching is to provide cats with scratching posts where they are free to scratch without harming furniture. To keep cats from scratching up furniture, try sticky texture pads that are designed to discourage scratching on certain surfaces.

Grooming and nail trimming

At St. Francisville Animal Hospital, we know how harmful declawing can be, and we are proud to provide grooming services—including nail trimming—to help pet owners minimize destructive behaviors in cats without causing them any pain.

With decades of experience providing veterinary services, grooming and boarding for pets of all kinds, you can trust our team to provide the best care possible for your furry friends. Find out more about what we have to offer by giving us a call or stopping by today.

Categorised in: Cat Care