Declawing a feline is inhumane, unbearably painful and unnecessary. ⁠

Declawing, also known as “de-knuckling,” is an inhumane procedure that amputates an animal’s paws. It often results in lifelong medical conditions and pain for the animal. Declawing is rightfully outlawed in many countries; there are much safer alternatives to keeping your furniture intact.

Why Do Cats Scratch?

Those who consider declawing are often looking to deter their feline friend from scratching their furniture. However, scratching is a natural instinct that helps cats to mark their territory, stay healthy, and even show emotion. Rather than declawing your feline friend, redirect their tiny paws to objects meant for scratching.

What Is Declawing?

A major surgical procedure, declawing amputates a cat’s toes at the last bone. This cruel procedure, also known as onychectomy, is nothing like removing an ingrown toenail; it is comparable to chopping off the tops of your fingers and toes. Declawing is a traumatic experience that often results in unbearable pain for the rest of the cat’s life.

Declawing was originally recommended for cats who share their home with someone who has an immunodeficiency disorder; the reasoning being that this could help prevent contracting “cat scratch disease,” also known as Bartonella. However, in 2017, it was stated that the most effective way to control Bartonella is through flea control and that declawing is not advised. This unnecessary medical procedure is, in many countries, including Europe, Canada, and Israel, either illegal or strongly ill-advised. Yet, in the United States, some veterinarians continue to declaw cats because it appears to be profitable. Instead of preventing health problems, declawing often causes serious medical conditions for the cat, including infection, arthritis, or lameness.

Understanding Consequences and Complications

Declawing can often cause behavioral and medical complications. This can lead to your feline friend peeing in inappropriate places — all because the carpet hurts their paws less than the litter box. It can lead to aggression and irritability as declawing takes away a cat’s natural defense. Medical complications include tissue death, back pain, and more. Declawing is an inhumane way to protect your furniture, and no one who shares a home with a cat should consider having the procedure performed. There are plenty of humane ways to protect your furniture from tiny paws.

Alternatives

Making your home more cat-friendly can help redirect your feline friend’s paws away from your sofa. In addition to repellents such as Sticky Paws and having numerous scratchers available around your home, keep your feline friend’s nails trimmed and make time for play sessions! 

There are many ways to accommodate for your feline friend’s claws — and none of them include declawing. To help raise awareness about the inhumanity of declawing, visit The Paw Project.