Harlan Animal Hospital

Declawing of Felines:

Declawing of domestic cats should be considered ONLY after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or when its clawing presents a health risk for its owner(s).

 

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) believes it is the obligation of veterinarians to provide cat owners with complete education for full understanding and disclosure regarding declawing:

 

Scratching is a normal feline behavior, as a means for cats to mark their territory both visually and with scent, and is used for claw conditioning and stretching activity.

Provide suitable implements for normal scratching behavior. (Cats should be positively reinforced in the use of these implements)

• Scratching posts

• Cardboard boxes

• Lumber or logs

• Carpet or fabric remnants affixed to stationary objects

 

Inherent risks and complications with the surgery procedure includes but is not limited to:

• Anesthetic complications

• Hemorrhage

• Infection

• Pain

 

Declawed cats should be housed inside. If a cat has only its front claws removed they can still avoid some situations by climbing a tree.

 

Behavorial Situations

Studies show that 80% of declawed cats that are surrendered to shelters are euthanized because of behavioral problems. During a study, 33% of 39 cats that underwent declawing developed "at least" one behavior problem immediately after surgery, with the most common problem being litter box problems and biting.

 

Cats who were lively and friendly have become withdrawn and shy after being declawed. Others, deprived of their primary means of defense, become nervous, fearful, and/or aggressive, often resorting to their only remaining means of defense, their TEETH.

Some cases, when declawed cats use the litter box after surgery, their feet are so tender they associate their new pain with the box..... permanently, resulting in a life-long aversion to using the litter box.

 

Cats that can no longer mark with their claws, mark with urine instead resulting in inappropriate elimination problems. Cats may become so traumatized by this painful surgery that they end up spending their maladjusted lives perched high, out of reach of real and imaginary predators against whom they no longer have any adequate defense.

 

A constant state of stress caused by a feeling of defenselessness may make some declawed cats more prone to disease. Stress leads to a myriad of physical and psychological disorders including:

• Suppression of the the immune system

• Cystitis

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)