Should You Declaw Your Cat?

Most cat experts will say definitely not. Declawing is a cruel and unnecessary procedure.

Declawing (onychectomy) is more than just removing the claws. The procedure (which is extremely painful) involves amputating part of the toe.

After declawing a cat will have very sore, painful, and possibly swollen paws for up to two weeks. Her paws will have to be wrapped for several days following surgery. Declawing using laser surgery means a less painful recovery, but not all vets are skilled in the techniques of laser surgery.

You will have to use shredded newspaper in her litter box as regular kitty litter will irritate her paws and might even cause an infection. There have been some reports of cats not using their litter box even after their paws are healed. This is thought to be because they associate the pain in their paws with digging in the litter box.

Your cat call not be able to go outside. She has no way of defending herself against other cats or dogs, nor can she climb a tree to escape danger. Also without her claws to defend herself, she may turn to biting to defend herself. Cat bites are more serious than scratches.