While declawing as a method is widely known, a general misunderstanding remains about what declawing a cat entails. Declawing is more than trimming a cat’s claws very short—it’s the complete removal of a joint to ensure that their claws never grow back.
Cat declawing, also called an “onychectomy,” causes them immense pain: paw pain, back pain, and even tissue necrosis, and lameness. It can lead to infections and cause serious developmental issues. Once a cat is declawed, they never fully recover. Essentially they must learn to walk while missing the joints on their paws, changing how they interact with the ground. To them, it feels like wearing an eternally uncomfortable pair of shoes. When claws are removed improperly, they can regrow, leading to bone spurs and nerve damage.
“The AVMA discourages declawing of domestic cats as an elective procedure. The Association encourages the use of alternatives but says professional judgment is key when making a decision as to whether to declaw a cat.” (Via the AVMA)
What is Declawing?
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Declawing is essentially the removal of the entire claw performed through surgery, and it’s amputating the first joint of each finger/toe and is extremely painful afterward. The purpose of cat claws is to help them gain their flooring and balance on slippery or angled surfaces.
Cats are curious and adventurous mammals and use their claws for pretty much everything.
- Climbing
- Balancing
- Feeling the surface below them
- Protection
- Grasping, holding, or hugging.
- Hunting
- Scratching
Everything that a cat does, how they behave, and how they engage with our world has to do with their claws. Taking this away from them would be like taking away their core nature as a species.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
Cats scratch for many reasons, from letting out stress and tension to playful activity to just plain curiosity. Cats will scratch mainly to sharpen their claws or help shed the outer layer, making room for growth.
When a cat’s claws become too long, they curl and can hurt your feline if not clipped. Scratching also releases a territorial scent claiming that object as their property to tell others, “this is mine.”
Cats don’t scratch to make you angry or upset their owners. However, signs of destructive scratching may be a sign of stress or depression. It is ultimately up to the owner to contain the scratch-need behavior as felines do not understand right from wrong. All your cat is concerned about is meeting its basic and instinctual needs.
How to Stop Destructive Cat Scratching
Felines can become destructive for a variety of reasons. However, they do not understand that they are destructive – they are simply letting out some frustration in the only way they know-how. Signs of destructiveness and stress include:
- Scratching everything in sight
- Chewing on plants or other non-cat objects
- Excessive licking or cleaning
- Aggression
- Urinating outside the litterbox
Causes for destruction may be due to another cat or person in their house, boredom, or emotional trauma. Perhaps the best methods to get a cat to stop scratching are preventative methods such as:
- Buy a scratching post and use catnip and hanging toys on it.
- Place tin foil, double-sided tape, or sticky items in places where you don’t want cats to scratch
- Plastic caps on your feline’s claws while inside the house or during playtime
- Make scratching areas appealing, such as placing cat toys and favorite scents by each “okay to scratch” areas
- Redirection.
Ensure you are not punishing them by spraying them or yelling and hitting them. Instead, use a low tone with a cue word such as “no.” Then redirect their behavior to what they can scratch.
If you notice your cat likes to scratch the couch, place cardboard or twine with a backing on that spot. Then take the concoction and place it elsewhere after a couple of days.
How is a Cat Declawed?
The traditional declawing procedure involves a scalpel or guillotine clipper. The modern declawing method uses laser therapy.
With any declawing surgery, the vet will give your cat an anesthetic before the procedure can take place. The vet then goes in with their scalpel and removes the cat’s last knuckle from their paws. Once the traditional procedure is complete, the vet will stitch the ends and bandage the feet.
During the laser therapy method, a beam of intensely hot light severs the cat’s nerves, tendons, and bone from the nail joint. After the surgery is complete, the vet will stitch and bandage the paws. You will then go home with prescribed pain medication for your feline.
It will take approximately two to six weeks for your cat to heal completely. Expect your cat to limp and have very different behavior post declawing. Some bleeding may occur, and bandages must be removed the next day.
Negative Side Effects of Declawing Cats
Surgical complications can also arise from cat declawing. While a surgeon might do their best, things can still go wrong during the unnatural procedure. General surgeries carry risks whenever anesthesia is applied, and with an elective surgery such as this one, there are chances that both surgery and recovery can have complications.
Some complications from declawing cats include:
- Allergic reactions to anesthesia
- Stroke
- Pneumonia
- Cardiac Arrest
- Bleeding
- Nerve Damage
- Breathing Tube issues
- Death
There are also behavioral issues surrounding cat declawing. Veterinary studies have indicated that cats who have undergone declawing surgery have a significantly higher risk of aggression and litter box avoidance.
Alternatives to Declawing
In many States, cat declawing is illegal.
“ In 2019, New York became the first state in the United States to outlaw declawing. Maryland became the second in 2022. A declawing ban in the United States capital, Washington, D.C., went into effect in 2023. Starting July 1, 2024 pet owners in Virginia will no longer be able to get their cats declawed.” (Via Alley Cat Allies)
Cat declawing is not the only option for a cat or kitten who gets a little too excited. Scratching is normal cat behavior, and because it is a part of their nature, you shouldn’t try and stop this natural reaction. Scratching and clawing is a way for cats to express themselves, relieve tension, and showcase emotion.
Nail Trimming
Frequently trimming your cat’s nails is the best way to protect yourself and your furniture from severe scratches. Some pet parents might be uncomfortable doing it, which is why there are options like nail caps. Regular maintenance and replacement are required, and some cats might not tolerate wearing them. As their owner, it’s your responsibility to find the best method.
Proper cat nail trimming technique:
- Use the correct tool, such as a cat-specific nail trimmer.
- Hold their paw securely to prevent them from pulling back.
- Trim the tip of the nail and take off little bits at a time.
- Cut at a 45-degree angle away from you, in a way that your cat’s nails rest comfortably.
- Ensure you are trimming their nails from top to bottom to prevent splintering.
- Don’t trim their nails down too far, only little bits at a time.
- Trim the hair around your cat’s paws.
- Reward your cat with a little treat, snuggles, and scritches.
Scratching Posts and Cat Trees
If your cats are regularly damaging the furniture, find a replacement for them to scratch. Pay attention to the type of material your cat likes to scratch and match that with a scratching post or cat tree. Note when and where they like to scratch, and try and place the scratching posts in places where they have easy access, typically in the same room as the furniture. Location is important, and you can use treats and catnip to help encourage them away from your furniture and to the posts and trees.
Deterrents
Discourage your cats from scratching unwanted areas by using deterrents and replacements. You can place textures for them to scratch near furniture, but there are also textures cats dislike such as rubber, sticky tape, and aluminum foil. Squirt bottles are usually not effective because your cat will only understand that they can’t scratch that particular piece of furniture unless you aren’t around. Try doing some research into what your cat likes and dislikes, take note of when and where they are scratching, and use positive reinforcement.
In cases where declawing is a medical necessity, modern pain management techniques developed by veterinarians can help.
These techniques include:
- Regional Nerve Blocks: By injecting a local anesthetic around the paw, pain can be eliminated for up to 8 hours post-surgery.
- Pain Medications: Given orally or injected after surgery, pain meds include opioids and morphine.
- Fentanyl Patches: These patches can provide temporary pain relief.
- Soft Litter: Your declawed cat might experience litter box avoidance, and you may have to replace their traditional litter with shredded paper or recycled newspaper to reduce pain.
- Additional Litter Box Modifications: Low-entrance litter boxes, open litter boxes, and other options.
- Pet Stairs and Other Home Modifications: You can make things easier for your declawed cat by improving their mobility.
- Additional Therapies: As recommended by your veterinarian, physical therapy and cold laser therapy can help reduce your declawed cat’s pain and improve their quality of life.
Medical Exceptions For Declawing
An onychectomy may be necessary for your cat to treat certain medical conditions, especially if any compromise your cat’s health. Infections, disease, abnormal growths or claw conditions, and injuries can all lead to a veterinary recommendation for an onychectomy. Your trusted medical professional can talk you through your cat’s options, provide you with additional information, and set your mind at ease if your cat needs a declawing operation.
Reconsider Declawing Your Cat
Why is declawing cats bad? The primary reason remains – cats’ claws are a part of them; taking them away by force not only forces your cat to relearn how to live, it takes their bond and trust from you.
If you’re still wondering, is it really cruel to declaw a cat? Just imagine how you would be able to survive with your last knuckle on every toe surgically removed. How would you feel? How would things be different?
