It eliminates unwanted pregnancy, and reduces you female cats desire to roam in search of a mate. Declawing kittens or adult cats requires the removal of the claw. day to aid with healing and keep germs away. They observed this was more common when declawing was performed with a scalpel. The Resco clipper method for declawing a Its more disgusting how people treat other people that decide to declaw a cat. If you want a REAL rabbit hole for actual cruelty, there you go. Declawing a cat means amputating the final bone from each toe, using either a scalpel, surgical clippers, or a laser. I tried regularly trimming her claws and she just throws a fit! Remember, In Canada and much of Europe, declawing is illegal. All you need to find a kitten and raise a happy, healthy cat, June 9, 2020 By Sarah Holloway 29 Comments. If you can afford it, laser declawing is associated with a faster recovery and fewer post-surgical complications. lol I provide lots of things it is ok for them to scratch, and let them know what they cant scratch, its amazing how easy they are to teach if you just have some patients. I think that may have even been the point to this article. The other was dropped off at my house as a kitten in the dead of winter, who I took into my house. And in most cases, it was minimal and did not cause them pain throughout their life. don't need to force your cat to acclimate to a different kitty litter the bone section in place. It Is Not a Solution for Underlying Behavior Issues, The 10 Best Automatic Cat Feeders & Food Dispenser of 2022, The 15 Best Automatic Litter Boxes of 2022, Nutra Thrive For Cats Reviews: Our Verdict, Cat Shampoo Alternatives: Safe & Effective Options. Sarah holds a bachelors degree in Zoology and has a special interest in animal behavior and communication, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Position Statement on Declawing Cats.. I have had her nails trimmed a few times but that only lasts about a week to10 days. 2022 The Family Pet Hospital Laser and Wellness Center. The calico Ragdoll cat is also often known as More Our complete guide to blue lynx Ragdoll cats More How well do you know your cat? Studies find that cats that have been My Tuxy is happy and healthy and she still reaches and pulls her toes just like one with nails. Some of the more prevalent alternatives to declawing cats are: As veterinary care providers we are here to help provide you with accurate and unbiased information about declawing cats in order for you to make an informed, educated decision on behalf of your furry feline friend. Ive worked with declawed cats and even adopted them and theyre not these pitiful, sad creatures with all these medical issues that theyre cracked up to be. Cats that have been declawed using a laser are usually up and I bring her around my very young nephews and nieces. But the main benefit to the cat could apparently be a stark difference between life and death. Red Flags Explained! The information contained on this blog is not meant to replace professional veterinary advice. Which brings me to #3, third, you mentioned it was YOUR option as to whether or not you declaw your cat. Required fields are marked *. People have clips and nips and tucks.. they have this and thats removed that is not natural.. but they do it to make them happy. The choice is yours, but the risks do seem higher. Your email address will not be published. I sure think it would be more than frustrating to go througout life missing ANY part of my fingers or toes.

cut so there is no bleeding and no need for bandages after the surgery glued shut. Declawing with nail clippers in particular has been linked to higher rates of postoperative infection and long term lameness. I really appreciated the information and time that it took to execute. But, on the other hand, it is an inhumane method for declawing that takes away your cats basic survival rights. This is because the laser also seals the nerve endings during the good reason. In rare cases its medically necessary like mentioned in the article or for certain cats with behavior disorders that cant be cured in other ways but its rare. Secondly, the way I interrupted this article, I didnt see anything indicating the author was implying that your cat will definitely live in pain the rest of its life.

into the wound. Laser declawing is a modern-day procedure for declawing cats. I doubt your first thought would be Oh, thank you! I love them very much. I just dropped her off at the animal hospital and shes getting declawed. My issue is the cat clawing ME and my family members.we rescued this kitten and she was injured so we had her treated and she is an indoor kitten. Im afraid I have little compassion for the owners who say that if they cant have their cat declawed theyd rehome them. sterile as it heals. I rescued my Tuxy.. she was outside and cold and only weeks old.

I have 2 cats. needs to avoid clay or sand cat litters to keep the litter from getting Using that phrase as an argument does make that point). Resource Articles 2022 GeniusVets. If you're not familiar with cat declawing methods, you Both immediately after the declawing procedure, and over the long term. pain. I have purchased a very expensive cat tree to help but it doesnt! Its so cruel and painful. Todays article Should I Declaw My Cat is by Sarah Holloway. All of my cats since I was young have been happy, healthy, cats. Again we see a practice which is purely carried out in favour of the owner such as tail docking in dogs. If you are unhappy about how much your cat scratches, you should always start with training.

Its thrown around carelessly by people with no understanding of cats. Unfortunately it is difficult to accurately gauge pain in cats, because they are stoic by nature. So many are killed, put outside to fin for their own, or dropped off at pounds because of the OWNERS intolerance and how did you put it Barbaric ways to handle an easy fix. declawing is growing. My cats have always been declawed and are completely indoor cats. will lose some control over the foot. The Happy Cat Site is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, The Happy Cat Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Address: 300 Eliot StreetAshland, MA 01721. Some practitioners prefer to leave a portion of the bone behind, to preserve some normal function of the foot.

I did not go shopping for a $200 pet/toy. surgical procedure. The biggest downfall to the Resco clipper This prevents infection. The plus point is there is no blood loss, physical tissue damage, and it also keeps your cat away from infection caused by litter. There wont be an infection caused by cat litter, and you dont even have to deal with bandages. Since I am fairly positive my first reply on a later comment will not be published, I am choosing this one to leave a blanket comment for all those who are saying things like, My cats were just fine the very next day, or Ive declawed my cats and theyve never had any problems, (and THEN mention theyre indoor/outdoor pets), or Ive tried scratching posts, so I think Ill just get them declawed. Laser declawing surgery is very expensive if we compare it with the traditional method. They have to take anesthesia have to take medicines for this and no animal will appreciate this. Well he passed away, and I rescued a new kitten. So, there is minimizes major blood loss and yes, no need for bandages to aid it for long. Shes an indoor cat and I work 10 hour days. the added cost is often worthwhile. to sever the tendons and ligaments before removing the entire bone. Unfortunately while your cat is happily clawing on your favorite chenille chair furniture, you may be grimacing and very unhappy with one of your favorite family members. It stretches their muscles, keeps their claws clean and healthy. 4. He loves to attend pet rescue events and volunteers up to his abilities. With the help of a laser beam cats claws are amputated easily. Undesirable behavior didnt increase, and desirable behavior didnt decrease. So unless your vet can offer a compelling reason for this procedure, its hard to imagine why you would. In a review of 252 declawing procedures carried out at the University of Prince Edward Island, 17% of the cats treated experienced wound reopening. However a cat with an amenable disposition, who has had their claws trimmed regularly since they were a kitten, might just go along with it. The surgery is safer however, so Spaying before the first heat cycle eliminates hormonal swings, reduces the chance of mammary cancers, and brings the risk of pyometra (a uterine infection that can be life threatening) to almost zero (stump pyometra is a very rare occurrence but it happens ever so rarely so I cant say absolutely zero). Have you reached a similar conclusion, or can you still picture non-medical circumstances where declawing is justified? In the United State, approximately one quarter of domestic cats are declawed to prevent them from scratching. cat declawing is going to be higher. And I love that we all have the right to express our opinions and the freedom to do so. So am I a monster for wanting to get him declawed (laser surgery)? Personally, Im more disappointed in designer dog breeding practices. A kitten found its way to our home in August and we couldnt turn her away. As they dont have claws they will use teeth for biting which can put others at risk. clipper and disarticulation declawing methods. These figures vary widely, but even at the smallest result its still quite a hefty amount of problems. Unless of course, you are just wanting to announce youre an idiot. Its a controversial topic, so well look at the facts and help you to make the right choice. Or have to leave them with a shelter and risk them being euthanized. I would like to ask anyone thinking about declawing their kittens to wrap masking or scotch tape just below your first knuckle about 5-8 times. They fall off when the claw naturally sheds its outer sheath (about every four to six weeks). A happy owner equals a happy pet. Medical concerns for humans in the household, which also could prevent giving the cat up for adoption, An unchangeable living situation in which the cat's social behavior is not conducive to the constraints of the household, which also could prevent giving the cat up for adoption, Declawing a cat goes against its natural behaviors and instincts, It is an unpleasant experience for the cat, despite appropriate pain medication. In one survey of people who opted to declaw their cats, half said they would not have kept their cat if declawing hadnt been available. Declawing a cat is an inhumane activity that takes away the cats natural behavior rights, it also causes litter problems and can give her stress. Because of the laser, there is no bleeding and as the cuts are cauterized, wounds are closed there is no swelling because it does not cut or bruise the tissue, and there is zero physical contact. And how often cats have experienced complications or claw regrowth afterwards. That is THEIR opinion and they have a right to express it, just as much as you do. It does take a certain amount of compassion to make a hard decision rather than risk a harder one. I love my cat and to read these comments about us being barbaric monsters is disheartening but my decision stands. Before we bring home a new pet, we should be honest with ourselves about whether we can tolerate the normal behavior of that animal. If you can say you werent negatively effected or that it wouldnt be painful to live the rest of your life like that, I can say Bull! But pain does not have to be physical pain. The recovery speed is fast and with no complications, if the cat is younger she will recover rapidly within a few days or weeks after the surgery. Laser declawing is growing, and it also is very expensive than the traditional method.

And, I think it would be very painful for me to deal with, especially if I didnt have a CHOICE in it. Much like abortion, its not an easy decision and shouldnt immediately vilify the person that has every right to make that decision. I feel so much better knowing that my pretty little kitty cant scratch them. One I acquired from my mother who died, whose front claws were already declawed. It seems possible that it will be illegal in the US fairly soon. But, guess what? I tried the nylon nail covers and she would just rip them off. It will help you make decisions better. She tore my first couch to shreds. A happy owner is more likely to make a happy cat. Visit our office to get the latest in top-quality veterinary care along with unparalleled service. Cats are very smart and trainable. How bout you? I cannot think of any sound preventative health reason to declaw. Surgery should come after all attempts to use toys, scratch posts, distractions and rewards to correct their behavior. I am trying everything to avoid it and so far tacking sand paper to my furniture seems to be the best deterrent. Therefore, it is important that you should keep them indoors. We will work with you to explore all options for ensuring your cat's scratching is contained only to appropriate surfaces.

Written by the founders of this website including the author of the hugely successful Happy Puppy Handbook, it's packed with cat care information and fascinating cat facts. I cant imagine having my fingers taken off at the first joint and Im for sure not going to do that to my critters. urine on your floors. (of course, I dont mean for medical or protection of children/other pet purposes. Very occasionally, your vet may recommend declawing on medical grounds to promote your cats welfare. Should I declaw my cat or avoid doing so due to surgical complications? Majorly it also depends on the area and location, in a rural area costing will be less as compared to an urban area. I rescued a cat that had been declared and I nearly cry every time I see him try to sharpen his claws. I guess youre a better person than the rest of us. Even phantom scratch the post. Opponents of declawing have long cited anecdotal evidence that it increases the frequency of unwanted behaviors. Are you tired of cats scratching up your sofa and furniture and considering laser declawing or onychectomy? Because I have a feeling they wouldve taken a pass. My cats have always been happy and healthy. As I said above, all of my cats have been declawed and are completely indoor cats. . After laser surgery, your cat is away from infections caused by sand litter and clay litter. Declawing is not illegal in most of the United States, but whether its morally or ethically acceptable is a debate which divides us. Her mother had infections and did not live to see her kittens grow.

Choose life. So, basically, the surgeon completely seals the nerve endings and small blood vessels. Please consult your veterinarian for the best recommendations for your pets.

And picked out the best bits! But unless they are very experienced and adept, there is an increased risk of claw regrowth, which can result in painful complications. Which I was not suprised to read. Cat owners dont have to repeatedly modify their cats behavior or have to keep on buying plastic nails. Declawed cats continue to perform scratching behaviors, but they no longer cause damage. Landsberg, G. M., (1991), Feline scratching and destruction and the effects of declawing, The Veterinary Clinics of North America, Small Animals Practice. A talented groomer or sympathetic vet might also agree to help you. (I only do the front claws). However, Any declaw surgery (onychectomy) is the amputation of a cats toes. Therefore, it is always important to be nurturing and supportive during the recovery process, in order to help facilitate a speedy recovery. Letting your cat outside after he or she is declawed could be dangerous, because declawing a cat takes away the ability to defend themselves. And one veterinary hospital recommended pain relief should be provided for twelve days to make sure no animals were unknowingly left in pain. Many people feel passionately that declawing is an inhumane act of mutilation, which inflicts unwarranted pain upon cats. Sadly if those cats had all been left with animal shelters instead, nearly three quarters would have ultimately been euthanized. I personally look like i have been in a fighting match with wolverine. I love my kitten but I have 6 young granddaughters (aged infant to 6 years old) who also love him. Swelling is minimal with a laser surgery. During a laser surgery, a laser is used Four studies included in AVMAs review reported cats experiencing temporary paralysis in their paws lasting five to 30 after declawing. A further five studies warned of complications caused by bandages preventing adequate blood supply reaching the lower leg after surgery. They say declawed cats bite more and soil outside the litter tray. Cats do not use the tips of their fingers for any fine motor skills, so its not a particularly sound argument, just an emotional reaction. The fact that you didnt get that is understandable since YOU are clearly making the choice for YOU instead of considering your CATs choice. All rights reserved. If you are sick of your cat scratching everywhere you can get the scratch post and train her what things can be scratched and what not. This reduces tension and ill-will towards your pet. shouldn't rush into a decision before learning the pros and cons. They can get rid of scratching problems and litter infection risks. about the very next day. If I ever choose to declaw, I will not be shamed by people who say I should not have gotten the cat.