To declaw or not to declaw….this is something many cat owners think about when they bring their feline friend home. Before you make that decision, here are a few things to consider.
Why do cats scratch? Scratching is a normal behavior of cats. Scratching leaves visual and scent markers for other cats. Scratching keeps the nails in good shape and helps shed the claw sheaths. Cats’ nails are also used as a defense when necessary, or to help them escape by climbing.
What is declawing? Declawing (also known as an onychetomy) is the removal if the nail. Since the nail develops in the third digit (end) of the toe, declawing involves amputating that digit of each toe. Comparatively, it would be amputating the human finger from the tip to the first knuckle.
Declawing is a painful procedure and not without consequences. When the procedure is done incorrectly, part of the nail can remain in the bone, allowing the nail to regrow. The paws may remain painful even after the typical recovery period. Active and heavy cats may cause their paws to reopen, leaving room for infection and further pain.
There are alternatives to declawing. Teaching your cat to accept having his nails trimmed is an option. Start as early as possible handling your cat’s paws and offer a treat. Work up to trimming nails, even if it’s only a paw at a time. Another option is nail caps. These are found in pet stores and go on over the nails.
Probably the best thing you can do for your cat is to provide a variety of acceptable scratching items. Look to see what your cat prefers now-horizontal surface, vertical surface, or an incline? What type of surface-shaggy carpet, cardboard, wood? There is a large variety of scratching posts and other items in pet stores. You can also make your own at home. Put an acceptable scratching item near where your cat already scratches. Sprinkle a little catnip on it to attract your cat. When your cat begins to use the acceptable item, you can move it a little each day to another location if necessary. Remember, cats like high perches and will often scratch in high-traffic areas.
If you do decide that declawing is necessary, it’s better done when the cat is young. Declawed cats will need to be indoor only cats for life. Veterinarians will typically declaw only the front paws, which are the primary scratching paws. Back claws will allow the cat some defense if ever needed, especially if the cat should slip outside on accident. After the declaw surgery, cats will need to be kept calm and will not be allowed to jump or run for a week or so as the paws heal. Special dust free litter is necessary to avoid infection in the paws, and pain medication (sometimes antibiotics as well) will need to be given daily.
At Suburban Animal Clinic, pain control is our goal for our declaw patients. Pain medication is included in our anesthetic protocol. Once your kitty is under general anesthesia, the veterinarian will inject a local block in each toe to help reduce pain after surgery. We will also use a healing laser to help reduce swelling and inflammation and promote healing. (Note this is NOT a surgical cutting laser) After surgery, your kitty will receive an anti-inflammatory injection, and oral pain medication will be given later in the evening.
Declaw patients at Suburban stay overnight one night after surgery. Paws are bandaged after surgery, and will be removed the following morning. The doctor will check the paws in the morning for swelling and drainage, and will observe how your cat uses his paws. If everything looks well, your kitty will be released with pain medication, antibiotics (if necessary), special litter, and discharge instructions.
Done correctly, most declawed cats will recover well after surgery. Declawing is not a cheap, easy procedure. Many people are opposed to declawing. While veterinarians may not like declawing cats, we understand the reasons behind it and will do our best to keep your cat’s pain level to a minimum. Be sure to discuss all options with your veterinarian, as well as your vet’s protocol for declawing cats, before you schedule your cat for surgery.
Cornell Feline Health Center of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has videos on trimming your cat’s nails and on managing destructive scratching behavior in cats (this also involves selecting appropriate scratching items).