What is declawing?
Declawing is the process of amputating the end of a cat's toes at the first joint in order to remove the claws. It is performed by a veterinarian, using either a scalpel, a guillotine style implement or a laser cutting tool. In most cases, only the claws on the two front paws are removed but, occasionally, the procedure is performed on both back paws as well.
Why is it done?
Its is done to prevent scratches to humans and to protect carpets, rugs and furniture from damage caused by scratching.
(Occasionally, a vet must amputate a claw out of medical necessity but here I am focusing solely on non-medical declawing.)
Why is it controversial?
Proponents of declawing maintain it is a 'harmless procedure' that is less invasive than an average spay or neuter. Those who do not support it often describe it as a risky 'mutilation'.
It has become a very emotive subject, so let's take a look at the facts.
Here's a list of the potential pros and cons of declawing, both for you and for your cat:
Pros For You:
- Your cat cannot scratch you, your children, or visitors to your house.
- Less worries for allergy sufferers who may react badly to scratches.
- Home furnishings and clothes will be free from wear and tear caused by scratching, claws snagging on them or cats climbing over them.
Pros For Your Cat:
- Possibly less likely to be given up to a shelter because of destroying furnishings or scratching people.
- Possibly gains more affection from family members and visitors who would otherwise be afraid of getting scratched.
Cons For You:
- The expense of the procedure and possible medical complications. (Infection, re-opening of surgical wounds, arthritis, possible chronic pain issues)
- Dealing with behavioural issues. Cats who can't scratch often learn that biting is a far more effective way to tell you to back off than swatting you with clawless paws.
- Dealing with severe wounds/infections from cat bites. Cats have far more bacteria in their mouths than on their claws and can bite deeply, thereby transferring those germs straight into the body. A declawed cat will often learn to jump straight to biting since their usual warning paw-swat is so ineffective.
- Dealing with possible housetraining problems. Declawed cats can experience pain when walking on or digging in litter. They can come to associate the litter-box with pain and begin to avoid it, causing them to soil elsewhere in your home.
- Dealing with a cat who has psychological issues. Cats can end up with chronic pain after declawing, or as a result of the arthritis that declawing can cause later in life - discomfort can affect a cats behaviour by creating anxiousness, fear or aggression.
- Dealing with a long healing process. Even a cat who has been declawed by laser (usually cited by those performing it as a 'safer' option that is 'quicker to heal') will still need a long time to adjust to walking differently, regain proper balance, and may be off its feet for some time after the operation due to pain.
Cons For Your Cat
- Pain or discomfort from an inability to walk normally. Cats are 'digitigrades' or 'toe-walkers'. Declawing removes the part of their foot that normally bears most of their weight, forcing them to walk flat-footed. This change in gait can cause joint issues (such as wearing or inflammation), lead to full blown arthritis, and possibly severe pain from over stressing parts of the leg not designed to bear weight in this manner.
- Possible chronic pain in the amputation sites - the only signs of this may be an unwillingness to walk on hard or uneven surfaces, or to jump on and off things. Cats are masters of hiding pain (a natural instinct to keep them safe from predators), they have been known to walk home on broken bones after being hit by cars, so this constant pain in their feet may go unnoticed by owners for a long time.
- Higher risk of being given up due to other behaviour issues like biting, aggressive behaviour (stemming from discomfort) and litter-box issues.
- Possible stress. Cats scratch to mark their territory (both visually, with the marks left by scratching, and by spreading scent from the glands between their toes). It is much like chewing for dogs - it serves a purpose, gives them an outlet for energy and emotion, and makes them feel comfortable. A declawed cat cannot visually mark its territory in a natural manner, and may feel pain or discomfort in their amputation sites when they attempt to do so, dissuading them from leaving their scent. This may lead them to feel less safe and secure in their home.
- Risk of opening their amputation sites and getting infections - cats with no claws will still attempt to scratch, but may open up their surgical wounds when doing so, causing pain and leaving them open to infection.
- Higher risk of injury. Cats use their claws to grip when climbing. Declawed cats (especially those with all four paws declawed) are at much higher risk of slipping off furniture, falling down stairs, or sliding off banisters, railings and window ledges. Contrary to popular belief, cats do not always land on their feet, and can be severely injured or killed in falls.
- Inability to defend itself. A declawed cat can never go outside off leash/unconfined - even if you were to move to a safe area and wished to allow your cat outdoors. If they ever escape they are far more vulnerable as they have lost their first line of defence against possible attackers. Because they have no claws they are forced to get close enough to their attacker that they can bite them, putting them at far more risk of being bitten themselves (thus being exposed to many more nasty bacteria and viruses). Often a swat with a paw is enough to get most potential threats to back off so that the cat can run away, but without their claws they are far less able to escape and are more likely to suffer injury or be killed.
So, you can see the controversy.
What it all boils down to, for me, is that the potential risks for your cat far outweigh any gains for either of you. While they aren't all certainties (declawed cats can live quite happily into old age with few issues) the risk itself is. Why take the risk of causing a lifetime of pain for your pet? Why not adopt an already declawed cat and give it a good home? Why not look into risk free measures like acrylic claw caps or trimming claws while you help your cat through whatever issues are making you consider the procedure? And if there are no issues with your cat then why put him through a procedure than might create them?
Need any further convincing? Here is a list of countries where declawing a cat is either illegal, or considered highly inhumane and only to be performed in extreme circumstances:
England
Scotland
Wales
Italy
Austria
Switzerland
Norway
Sweden
Ireland
Denmark
Finland
Slovenia
Brazil
Australia
New Zealand
Serbia
Montenegro
Macedonia
Slovenia
France
Germany
Bosnia
Malta
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
Portugal
Belgium
Israel
(Source: declawing.com)
Looking for humane alternatives to declawing? Try: http://www.declawing.com/cat-declaw-alternatives
