The Truth About Declawing
- In England declawing is termed "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation." In the following countries, declawing is against the law: England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Portugal, Belgium, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Yugoslavia, Japan.
- The USA and Canada are the only countries where it is regularly performed.
- Declawing is not "like a manicure". It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually so closely adhered to the bone that to remove the claw, the last bone of the cat's claw has to be removed.
- Declawing has a high (greater than 50%!) rate of complications compared with other so-called routine procedures. Complications of this amputation can be: excruciating pain, damage to the radial nerve, hemorrhage, bone chips that prevent healing, painful regrowth of deformed claw inside of the paw which is not visible to the eye, and chronic back and joint pain (arthritis).
- Personality changes may occur as a result of declawing. The two most commonly seen behavioral changes are biting and inappropriate urination and/or territorial spraying of urine.
- A Veterinarian will tell you, cutting cats claws off is essentially cutting the cat's toes off. Why do they still perform the procedure? Well, they have a vested interest. Declawing is a business to them. They will often provide a "discount" if you get your cat neutered and declawed at the same time.
- If, despite all the facts, you feel you MUST have a declawed cat, PLEASE go to your local shelter/SPCA/Humane Society and adopt a cat that has already been declawed. Because of the behavioral problems caused by declawing, there are many declawed cats at the shelter that have been abandoned by their owners. With dedication, patience and time, some behavioral problems can be treated.
