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Declawing is a controversial topic. Opponents consider declawing “inhumane” and an “unnecessary mutilation”. In fact, in many European countries, it is illegal. Proponents of declawing, on the other hand, claim that it has no negative effects on cat and that it increases a cat's safety.
Before deciding to declaw your cat, you should know that declawing is a serious surgery. It is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's ‘toes' (the last bone of your cat's claw has to be removed). It is a very painful surgery with a painful recovery period. Keep in mind that during the time of recuperation, your cat will still have to use his feet to walk, jump, and scratch in his litter box regardless of the pain he is experiencing.
Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give him the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. His claws are an important part of this design. Therefore, amputating an important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of his primary means of defense, leaving him prey to predators if he ever escapes outside.
Laser surgery is an option for declawing. The surgery is completed with no bleeding or trauma to any bone. Bandages are not needed in most cases. Most cats have so little pain or discomfort that they are jumping and running before nature has had time to complete the healing process.
Flexor tendonectomy is a surgical procedure that offers an alternative to declawing. This involves the removal of a small segment of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). The DDFT retracts and extends the claws. If this tendon is cut, the claws are permanently retracted and cannot cause damage when cats scratch. The advantage to this procedure is that it is less painful because it involves cutting the skin and the tendon but does not affect the joint. The main disadvantage of this procedure is that because the nails do not extend normally, they cannot be worn down and will continue to grow. If the nails are not trimmed on a regular basis, they will continue to grown until they grow into the footpad, which can be extremely painful. This procedure should not be performed on cats in whom regular nail trims are not possible.
Regular nail trimming is also a very effective method of maintaining short, blunt nails that are much less likely to damage the home. Cats' nails should be trimmed every 1-2 weeks. It is very important to start trimming your cat's nails and handling their feet when they are very young so they get used to it.
Alternatives to Declawing your Cat
Nail coverings are also a great way to keep your cat from damaging your home. They are commercially available soft rubber nail covers that are applied over the nail with glue. They can be applied by your veterinarian or you can learn how to apply them yourself. Soft Paws are inexpensive and can provide a short-term solution while attempting behavioral modification or long-term management for destructive behavior. Nail caps need to be removed and reapplied every 4-8 weeks, depending on how fast your cat's nails grow. They effectively prevent your cat from using his claws, so cats with nail caps should remain indoors.
Overall, training your cat may be the best solution. You should teach your cat to scratch only certain objects, such as scratching posts. It is important to start training kittens early to learn appropriate scratching behavior and to tolerate regular nail trims.
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