Declawing is a deceptively simple term for a brutal surgical procedure. In reality, declawing is not just the removal of a cat’s nails; it is the amputation of the last bone of each toe on a cat’s paw, be it a kitten or an adult cat. To put this into human terms, declawing is akin to cutting off your finger at the last knuckle. The procedure is typically performed using a scalpel or guillotine clipper to sever the bone. The resulting wounds are then closed with sutures or surgical adhesive, and the paws are bandaged post-operatively. Laser surgery, often marketed as a more humane alternative, is also used, employing a concentrated beam of light to cut and vaporize tissue. However, regardless of the method, declawing carries significant risks and can lead to long-term physical and behavioral issues for your feline companion. Research published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery has demonstrated that declawing significantly elevates the risk of chronic back pain, avoidance of the litter box, and increased biting behavior in cats.
The ethical implications of declawing are widely recognized globally. Dozens of countries have banned or deemed declawing unethical. Within the United States, the tide is turning against this practice, with multiple states, the District of Columbia, and numerous cities enacting bans. Leading animal welfare organizations like the Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) and the Humane Veterinary Medical Association (HumaneVMA) strongly oppose declawing and tendonectomies, advocating for these procedures only in extremely rare circumstances for medically necessary reasons, such as the removal of cancerous nail bed tumors.
Tendonectomy: A Misguided Alternative
A tendonectomy is often presented as a less invasive alternative to declawing, but it is still a surgically significant and problematic procedure. During a tendonectomy, the tendon responsible for controlling the claws in each toe is severed. While the cat retains their claws, they lose the ability to consciously control and extend them for scratching. This procedure frequently leads to abnormal and excessive claw growth. Consequently, cats who undergo tendonectomy require more frequent and intensive nail trimming to prevent their claws from snagging on carpets, furniture, and people, or, more seriously, from growing into their paw pads.
Due to the potential for complications and the ongoing management required, a cat that has undergone a tendonectomy may still require declawing later in life to address the issues arising from the initial procedure. Despite not being an amputation, a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 1998 found that tendonectomy carried similar risks of bleeding, lameness, and infection compared to declawing. This highlights that tendonectomy is not a benign alternative and can still subject cats to significant discomfort and potential complications.
The Painful Consequences: Why Declawing is Harmful
Declawing is not merely a cosmetic procedure; it is a painful and mutilating surgery with a range of potential negative health consequences. The immediate post-operative period can be intensely painful, and declawing can lead to chronic paw pain, back pain, infection, tissue necrosis (tissue death), and persistent lameness. The removal of the claws fundamentally alters the way a cat’s paws contact the ground, disrupting their natural gait and biomechanics, which can result in pain analogous to wearing ill-fitting shoes constantly. In cases where the claws are not properly removed, regrowth can occur, leading to nerve damage and the development of painful bone spurs.
Beyond the physical pain, declawing can trigger behavioral problems. In the days following surgery, shredded newspaper is often used as a temporary litter substrate to prevent traditional litter from irritating the sensitive, declawed paws. This unfamiliar substrate, coupled with the pain associated with attempting to scratch in the litter box, can cause cats to develop a permanent aversion to using the litter box, leading to inappropriate elimination issues within the home. Furthermore, some declawed cats may become more prone to biting. This behavior can stem from chronic pain or from the cat feeling vulnerable and defenseless without their claws, their primary natural defense mechanism.
Dr. Christine Schelling, a veterinarian, recounts a formative experience during her veterinary student days: witnessing a cat in extreme distress, repeatedly throwing himself against the sides of his cage due to the severe pain following declawing surgery. This experience solidified her opposition to the procedure. “I swore I would never do a declaw surgery,” Dr. Schelling states. Years later, she established declawing.com, a website dedicated to educating cat owners about the realities of this often-misunderstood and detrimental surgical procedure. Her commitment underscores the importance of informed decision-making and the availability of humane alternatives to declawing.
