Are you thinking of declawing your cats? Do you think declawing is necessary? Is there a way to avoid declawing?
Many questions related to declawing arise in the mind of cat owners. But, still, declawing cats is a very controversial issue.
What is declawing a cat?
Declawing a cat is the surgical removal of the claws and the bones to which they are attached. It is also known as onychectomy. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and is considered major surgery.
There are several reasons why people may choose to declaw their cats. Some people do it for aesthetic reasons, while others believe it will help prevent their cat from damaging furniture or injuring people. declawing a cat can also help prevent them from getting outside and getting lost.
There are a few different methods of declawing a cat. The most common is called a Rescue technique, which involves cutting through the bone and tendon that attach the claw to the toe. Another method, called an extracapsular technique, involves removing the entire last joint of the toe.
There are risks associated with declawing a cat. The most common complication is pain, which can last for several weeks. There is also a risk of infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. In some rare cases, declawing a cat can lead to death.
If you are considering declawing your cat, you should talk to your veterinarian about the risks and benefits of the procedure.
Is declawing a cat humane?
There are a lot of opinions out there about declawing cats. Some people think it’s inhumane, while others argue it’s the best thing you can do for your cat. So, what’s the truth?
First of all, let’s understand what declawing actually is. Declawing a cat involves the surgical removal of the claws, which are located on the front paws. This means that the cat will no longer have any claws.
There are a few different ways that declawing can be performed, but the most common method is through laser surgery. This is considered to be the most humane method, as it is less painful for the cat, and there is a quicker recovery time.
So, is declawing a cat humane? The answer is yes and no. While the laser surgery method is considered to be humane, the actual act of declawing a cat is not. This is because it is a painful and traumatic experience for the cat.
Some people argue that declawing a cat is necessary to protect them from themselves. Cats can be very destructive creatures, and their claws can cause much damage. However, others argue that this is not a good enough reason to declaw a cat.
You can do a few things to help protect your cat’s claws instead of declawing them. One option is to provide them with a scratching post or cat tree. This will give them a place to scratch without damaging your furniture.
You can also trim your cat’s claws regularly. This is a less invasive option than declawing, and it will still allow your cat to scratch.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to declaw your cat is a personal one. There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument. It is important to do your research and make the best decision for you and your cat.
Is declawing a cat painful?
Yes, declawing a cat is painful. The procedure involves amputating the last joint of each toe. This is a major surgery that requires anesthesia. The incisions are usually made on the top of the foot, but sometimes on the side or bottom.
After the surgery, the feet are bandaged, and the cat must stay overnight in the hospital. The pain can last for several days, and the cat may not be able to walk properly for a week or more. There is also a risk of infection, which can be serious.
Declawing a cat is a permanent procedure. It cannot be undone. Once a cat is declawed, it will always have shortened nails and cannot use its claws for self-defense or hunting.
Many people believe that declawing a cat is inhumane and should be banned. However, many believe it is necessary, particularly for indoor cats who may scratch furniture or people.
If you are considering declawing your cat, you should discuss it with your veterinarian to decide if it is the right choice for you and your cat.
Why do cats scratch?
Scratching is a very natural behavior of cats. They don’t mean to destroy your furniture or carpets.
Scratching makes them remove unwanted things like dead husks from their claws. They also used to stretch their muscles and even mark their territory.
It is to be believed that through scratching, they trim their nail.
As cats grow, this natural phenomenon develops slowly and steadily in them. They are found to develop this habit when they are eight weeks old.
So, declawing cats affects their behavior entirely and can lead to the worst conditions.
Why do people declaw?
The most typical reason to declaw a cat is to prevent it from being destructive.
After finding a guilty cat sitting in front of shredded furniture, carpet, or drapes a few times, some dog owners could be tempted by this solution.
Similarly, suppose a cat is continuously getting in fights with some other cats in the home or scratching people. In that case, declawing is seen as a fast solution instead of correcting the behavior through training.
On some occasions, cat owners have numerous reasons of their very own that prompt declawing.
For instance, people with weak immune systems, like older or chronically ill, cannot be scratched. The bacteria on a cat scratch can be dangerous for them.
Do cats need their claws?
Yes, and for several reasons.
One big reason is for protection. Not only do cats use claws to swipe at predators in self-defense, but they’re also used to climb trees and escape danger.
In addition, claws are an integral part of cats’ anatomy. Most mammals walk on the soles of their legs, but cats are very different. They’re digitigrade, meaning they walk on their toes.
Their entire bodies are engineered for toe walking: their backs, shoulders, paw and leg joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are designed to distribute a cat’s weight across its toes.
Also, cats use their claws for balance, exercise, and stretching. This is actually the only way a cat can exercise many of its back, leg, and neck muscles.
Procedure for Cat declawing:
The medical procedure involved with declawing a cat is called an Onyectomy.
The claw is not just clipped. Actually, the whole bone is removed, including the ligaments and tendons.
With five claws on each paw, Felidae declawing is comparable to performing ten separate amputations.
Using Scalpel or guillotine clipper:
This is the very standard method of declawing a cat. In this process, amputating with a scalpel or guillotine clipper following closing wounds with stitches or glue and bandaging the feet or paws.
Using laser surgery:
This method releases an intense beam of light, which passes through tissue by heating and vaporizing claws.
Tendonectomy procedure:
In this method, the tendon that controls the claw in each toe is severed.
Though it preserves the claws, the tendency or ability to scratch is eliminated.
This procedure is mainly adopted due to the abnormal growth of thick claws.
Though cats can accidentally snag or scratch, the intensity would be significantly less.
What is the after-effect of cat declawing?
After going through the above declawing procedure – Not all cats will experience any effects once healed from the surgery.
There are a few things to watch for:
Back and joint problems:
Removal of the claws means the removal of a cat’s capability to stretch its back muscles and change the way the legs hit the ground. This often leads to back problems, including pain and muscle atrophy.
Think about it like wearing improper shoes, humans.
Pain:
Declawing can be very painful. Some cats might get nerve harm and hemorrhage. And while rare, some long-term problems include the regrowth of deformed claws inside the paw.
Litter box problems:
It is challenging for the cat to mark their territory without claws.
So, even house-trained cats find difficulty in “doing their business” inside the litter box.
Difficult to walk:
After the cat declawing, it is tough for the cat to balance with its toes.
So, because of impaired balance, the declawed cat has to relearn how to walk.
How do I care for my cat after declawing?
Don’t use a normal litter box:
You cannot use the normal litter box. Instead, use shredded newspaper or commercially made litter from newspaper till the time the paws get healed.
Timely give medication:
Your veterinarian would have given you pain medication. Timely provide pain medication to your cat.
Temporary lameness:
Due to declawing a cat, temporary lameness may occur. You need to help them while walking.
Also, notice whether any swelling, bleeding, or discharge is occurring or not.
If lameness doesn’t heal or improve, you can visit the veterinarian.
Don’t allow declawed cats to go outside:
A declawed cat is defenseless. Its ability to defend itself from prey or protect itself is taken away.
So, you must keep your cats indoors or always under surveillance for a lifetime.
What are declawing cat alternatives?
You can trim your cat nail regularly:
Either it would help if you learned how to trim cat nails, or you can take expert advice.
You should find the time when your cat is relaxed or unafraid. At this point, press their toes gently until the claws extend.
You will notice a nail hook which is responsible for possible damage.
Now, take the help of a nail clipper and cut only the tip of the nail. Remember, over-cutting may damage their vein.
Buy multiple scratching posts:
You should buy one or two scratching posts. You should notice that the scratching post is long enough for cats to stretch.
Don’t buy scratching posts that are soft and fluffy. It should be rougher enough to satisfy their clawing needs.
Train your cat where to scratch or where not:
It would help if you encouraged the cat to scratch on the scratching pad by sprinkling catnip.
Catnip is available in a pet store, or you can purchase it from the Amazon store. It helps in attracting cats.
It would help if you discouraged the cat from scratching furniture by using a loud voice or squirting a gun. You can use a squirting gun to spell lukewarm water on the cat’s back.
Never try to be physical with cats.
Wrap Up:
Remember, declawing a cat is harmful and unethical.
You are just snatching a fundamental right of a cat to defend themselves, climbing, jumping, and catching prey.
The above-highlighted pros and cons of declawing cats will let you make the right decision.
Adversely, you should follow cats’ declawing alternatives.
