Is declawing a cat considered cruel?

Is declawing a cat considered cruel?

Many compassionate veterinarians refuse to declaw cats, even in areas where the procedure is legal, because declawing is cruel and of no benefit to cats—and it violates veterinarians’ oath to “do no harm.”

Are declawed cats nicer?

Many people report that they are happier with their cats after declawing, because it makes the cats “better pets.” Unfortunately, just as many people have discovered–too late–that declawing frequently leads to far worse problems than it solves.

Is there an ethical way to declaw cats?

Declawing also can cause lasting physical problems for your cat. Many countries have banned declawing. The Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing except for the rare cases when it is necessary for medical purposes, such as the removal of cancerous nail bed tumors.

When do vets recommend declawing cats?

Between 3 and 6 months of age is ideal. Typically, our veterinarians suggest you declaw your cat at spay or neuter time. For many cats, that’s around 5 or 6 months of age. If your kitten is already spayed or neutered, we may perform the declaw surgery earlier.

What does it mean to declaw a cat?

What is cat declawing? “Declawing a cat is the surgical process of removing/amputating the first ‘knuckle’ of a cat’s toes, thereby removing where the claw grows,” says Jamie Richardson, DVM, medical chief of staff at Small Door Veterinary in New York City.

What are the pros and cons of declawing cats?

The biggest consequence of cat declawing is chronic pain. “Cats are very good at hiding signs of pain and discomfort, so they can be uncomfortable for many years without you knowing,” Dr. Richardson explains.

Is there a correlation between declawing and personality changes?

Numerous studies that have researched a potential correlation between cat declawing and personality changes strongly indicate that none exists.

Why does my cat have back pain after declawing?

Back pain may be caused by lameness, as a changed gait means Fluffy is not carrying her weight like she should. “I’ve mostly seen this in heavier cats after they’ve been declawed. It changes their posture and the way they walk,” Englar describes.

Are there any alternatives to declawing a cat?

Some of the more prevalent alternatives to declawing cats are: Behavioral Training: This is a much more effective alternative for kittens than adult cats, and involves redirecting a misbehaving cat to a toy or scratching post.

What does it mean when a cat is declawed?

They do this to mark their territory, exercise muscles normally used in hunting, relieve stress and remove worn sheaths from their nails. Declawing of cats, or onychectomy, is the amputation of the last digital bone, including the nail bed and claw, on each front toe.

Numerous studies that have researched a potential correlation between cat declawing and personality changes strongly indicate that none exists.

What are the risks of cat declawing surgery?

The surgery involves the risk of anesthesia, excessive bleeding and postoperative complications, including infection, and is accompanied by pain that may last from several days to much longer unless appropriate pain control is provided. A variety of alternatives exist to manage natural scratching behavior and to prevent injury from cat scratches.