| Many cat owners must make the decision of | | | | anesthesia, complications from the procedure |
| whether or not to declaw their pets. Owners | | | | itself can arise. Although rare, infection, |
| must realize that cat declawing is not a | | | | excessive bleeding, possible paralysis, as |
| simple issue. Whether they realize it or not, | | | | well as death from the anesthesia can occur. |
| there are short and long-term effects that | | | | If not done correctly, there is also the |
| declawing can have on a cat. It is ultimately | | | | possibility of the claw growing back in an |
| the owner's decision, however, to weigh these | | | | abnormal manner, growing through the top or |
| issues and see whether or not declawing is | | | | bottom of the paw. |
| necessary. Below are some of the issues that | | | | |
| can be considered by cat owners. | | | | A cat's whole defense system relies on its |
| | | | claws. Once declawed, a cat should never be |
| First, it is important to consider what a cat | | | | allowed outside. If confronted, especially by |
| uses its claws for. They use them to mark | | | | another animal, a cat will claw or chase and |
| their territory. They also use them for their | | | | run. When chasing and running, a cat relies |
| agility in jumping, chasing, and running. | | | | on its claws. Without claws, it is unable to |
| Their retractable claws help them establish | | | | fight. You may honestly believe that since |
| good footing and balance. A cat will also use | | | | your cat is solely kept in the house, it will |
| its claws for defense against predators. | | | | have no need for self-defense, and use this |
| Often, an owner will only see a cat's claws | | | | as an excuse to declaw. Unfortunately, even a |
| as the reason their sofa, carpet, or curtains | | | | house cat can get loose. You have now left |
| are torn and ruined. | | | | your cat totally defenseless in the world. |
| | | | What chance would it have in the face of |
| When a cat is declawed, it is not as simple | | | | danger? |
| as cutting off its toenails. A cat's claws | | | | |
| are attached to ligament, tendons, and bones. | | | | The fact is that declawing is banned in many |
| Removal of the claws is likened to amputating | | | | countries, as they consider it an inhumane |
| each finger off a human hand. Similarly, | | | | procedure. Declawing does have alternatives |
| declawing cuts off the first bone of each of | | | | though. Proper training of the cat will |
| the cat's toes. It is also a very painful | | | | eliminate human scratching, as well as |
| recovery for the cat, since it walks on these | | | | furniture scratching. To deal further with |
| now tender paws. There is no pain medication | | | | furniture scratching, buy a scratching post. |
| given to the cat afterward, since cats do not | | | | Make sure the post is not made of carpeting, |
| tolerate them well - so every step it takes | | | | but rather of some type of material similar |
| will produce pain for some time. Often, | | | | to the backing on carpeting. Also, be sure to |
| owners will note a psychological affect from | | | | trim the cat's claws regularly as part of |
| declawing also. The once friendly, playful | | | | your routine cat grooming. This will enable |
| cat will become quiet and aloof. | | | | you, the cat, and its claws to live in |
| | | | harmony. |
| Since declawing is an operation that requires | | | | |