Can a cat’s claws be amputated?

Some owners, concerned about the safety of furniture or fear of being scratched, turn to veterinary clinics with a request to amputate the cat’s claws. Is it possible to amputate a cat’s claws and how will this operation affect the pet’s life?

In the photo: the claws of a cat. Photo: wikipedia.org

More and more veterinarians, fortunately, are now answering the question “Is it possible to amputate a cat’s claws” in the negative. Cat declawing (also called an onychectomy) is considered animal cruelty in many countries.

In Switzerland and Germany, the declawing of cats is prohibited by law, and in many other Western European countries there is a ban under the European Convention for the Protection of Animals. And even in Russia, where there is no legal prohibition, veterinarians often refuse to perform such a surgical intervention.

Why can’t a cat’s claws be amputated?

Removing the claws of a cat is associated with a huge risk and gives the animal a lot of trouble:

1. Amputation of the claws of a cat is performed as follows: the animal is cut off the last phalanxes of each finger. And you can’t call it otherwise than a mutilation. Imagine that you have cut off the last phalanges of each finger. Not a very happy prospect, is it?
2. There is a risk in the use of anesthesia.
3. For a long time after the operation, the cat experiences pain.
4. The cat becomes completely defenseless, many animals begin to bite strongly, constantly experience anxiety, turn into unsociable and withdrawn creatures.
5. The inability to lead a normal life (for example, leave territorial marks on a scratching post or climb somewhere in case of danger) leads to severe distress, and as a result, to health problems. 
6. An attempt to bury the filler is associated with pain, which leads to the development of uncleanliness.
7. If a cat suddenly finds itself on the street, then, deprived of its claws, it has no chance of survival even for the short time that you may need to search.

Photo: www.pxhere.com

Is there an alternative to declawing a cat?

One alternative to cat declawing that will help preserve your furniture is to train your cat to use the scratching post. Yes, it can take time and you may have to try several different types of scratching posts, but this is much more reliable and humane than injuring your pet.

If you are afraid of being scratched, you should learn to respect the personal space of the cat, create acceptable living conditions for her, and she will not have a reason to go into conflict.

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