Declawing your cat: A difficult and controversial decision

May 11, 9:45 AMPet Health ExaminerLorie Huston

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Declawing a cat is controversial decision and a volatile subject.

Cats are declawed routinely at veterinary practices throughout Rhode Island and most other places within the US as well. However, declawing remains a controversial decision and many people have very strong feelings about the procedure, whether it be pro or con.

Those contemplating declawing their cats are sometimes made to feel as though they are being inhumane or cruel when discussing the subject with those who oppose the surgery. However, the fact remains that there are also people who feel that declawing is a viable alternative to forcing a cat to survive outside or surrending the cat to a pound or shelter.

What does the declaw surgery entail?

Declawing a cat involves removing (or amputating) the last digit of each toe. Most often, cat owners elect to declaw only the front feet. However, some elect to declaw all four feet.

The declaw surgery is done under a general anesthetic, just like any other surgical procedure. The cat feels nothing during the procedure but pain medications are generally recommended for several days after the declaw surgery to control discomfort during the healing period. Declaws are considered to be painful during the healing process but proper use of pain medications can help alleviate much of the pain.

Once the surgical incisions have healed, the cat should no longer experience pain in relation to the declaw surgery. The cat will be able to run, jump, eat and play in the same fashion that he did prior to the surgery.

Arguments against declawing a cat

Opponents to declawing frequently refer to the declaw surgery as "mutilation". They cite beliefs that cats remain in pain for the rest of their lives following the declawing surgery and are not able to walk normally afterward. They also believe that cats which have been declawed develop undesirable behaviors, such as excessive biting and inappropriate urination. In addition, these people believe that cats which have been declawed suffer muscular problems later in life from not being able to stretch to sharpen their claws.

People and groups opposed to declawing also point out that the declaw surgery is done for the sake of convenience to the cat owner. They believe that it is inappropriate to make a decision which affects another life (that of the cat) for the sake of convenience.

Declawing has been banned in many countries. There are also states and communities within the US which are contemplating banning the declawing of cats as well.

Arguments in favor of declawing a cat

Proponents of declawing allege that there is no scientific proof to back up the claims of undesirable behaviors resulting from declaw procedures. In fact, proponents of declawing point to countries in which declaws are banned where the same undesirable behaviors (inappropriate urination, biting, etc) are seen in the same numbers in cats which are not declawed. They also point to the lack of evidence that cats suffer chronic pain after recovery from the declaw surgery.

Proponents also argue that cats which are declawed and delegated to live their lives indoors are likely to be safer than those allowed outdoors. Indoor cats do not face many of the risks which outdoor cats have to deal with (car accidents, fights with other animals, exposure to various viral diseases, etc.). However, it should be noted that those electing to declaw their cat need to be able to make a commitment to keeping the cat indoors. It is not fair to send a declawed cat outside to fend for themselves.

Another point which is raised by proponents of declawing cats is the theory that cats which have been declawed are likely to be less destructive than those who have not and thus are less likely to be thrown outside to fend for themselves or abandoned to a shelter or pound.

For those people who are immunosuppressed or otherwise at high risk of infection from cat scratches, declawing may be the only option which allows them to keep a cat.

Alternatives to declawing a cat

There are a few alternatives to declawing which should be considered when trying to make a decision regarding declawing a cat. Products such as Soft Paws are covers which are glued over a cat's nails. These products do need to be replaced regularly, usually every few weeks.

Another surgical option to declawing is a procedure known as a digital flexor tendonectomy, a surgery in which the tendon leading to the cat's nail is severed. This surgical procedure leaves the cat unable to extend or sharpen the claws, so cats having undergone this type of surgery will require regular nail trimming for the rest of their lives. Failing to do so will result in the nails growing into the skin and pads of the feet, causing abscesses and pain.

Of course, basic training methods and behavioral modification techniques can and should be employed to encourage the cat to scratch and sharpen their claws only on objects which are suitable for the purpose.

Feline declaw: the final decision

Those trying to make the decision of whether to declaw their cat should consider the decision carefully. Opponents to declawing feel very strongly that their case is the correct one. However, at least for the time-being, the final decision of whether or not to declaw a cat rests with the cat owner and the cat owner must make the decision based on his/her personal feelings. Whatever is decided, the cat owner needs to have enough information available before making the decision to be able to make an informed and educated decision.