Contributed by Angie Lewis, President of Alaska Animal Advocates
Many countries have outlawed declawing cats, but in the United States, we continue to perform this horrible surgery. In reality, this surgery should be called “de-toeing”. This procedure involves cutting between the second and third bones of the cat’s toes, not just the claws. The last toe, in which the claw resides, is actually amputated. Nerves, tendons and blood vessels are therefore severed. To be precise, declawing involves 10 separate amputations – if only the front paws are done. Obviously, more if the back feet are done.
Cats use their claws for many things, such as balance, exercise (stretching and working the muscles), hunting, marking their territory and defending themselves against predators. In fact, cats walk on their toes.
Declawing a cat can lead to a myriad of complications:
• Pain for the cat – both for paws and back
• Behavioral problems – cats can stop using the litterbox, have an increase in aggression and excessive licking or chewing of fur.
• Residual bone fragments
• Altered gait
• Depression
It is normal for your cat to scratch – it sharpens his claws, allows him to get exercise and it helps him to mark his territory.
There are strategies that can be used to lessen the damage done by a cat’s claws:
• Provide your cat with appropriate scratching items. Watch your cat to see the type of surfaces he enjoys scratching, and then buy a cat scratcher that will meet his needs. You might need more than one! Place these scratchers where they will be used. Entice your kitty to use the scratcher by rubbing it with catnip.
• Keep your cat’s nails trim – clip every few weeks.
• Protect areas that are off-limits by using deterrents such as double-sided tape, aluminum foil and car mats with the spiky side up.
• Use sprays that are made to discourage kitties from scratching.
• Purchase caps that can be placed on your cat’s nails.
Ultimately, your cat should mean more to you than anything in your house.
