{"id":42,"date":"2023-05-08T15:02:19","date_gmt":"2023-05-08T19:02:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northsidepawsvet.com\/blog\/?p=42"},"modified":"2023-05-08T15:02:19","modified_gmt":"2023-05-08T19:02:19","slug":"paws-to-talk-declawing-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northsidepawsvet.com\/blog\/paws-to-talk-declawing-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Paws to Talk: Declawing Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Declawing cats is a practice that has been done for quite some time. As kitties earned traction as house pets and more started staying indoors, people started to want to keep the claws to a minimum. The first mention of performing declaw surgery in cats was noted in the literature in 1952.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As time goes on, though, we are starting to learn more about how declaw surgery affects our feline patients. The evidence is mounting that this procedure is just not in anyone\u2019s best interest. The practice of declawing cats is one that is falling out of favor. In fact, in many locations it has become illegal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Declaw Surgery in Cats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many pet parents don’t even fully understand what a declaw surgery is. A good grasp on the procedure is helpful in understanding how it is harmful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Declawing, also called an onychectomy, is the surgical amputation of the patient\u2019s last digit in order to remove the clawed portion of the foot. During surgery, each toe is amputated at the last joint. It is the literal equivalent of having each of your fingers cut off at the joint above your nail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some veterinarians alternatively perform a tendonectomy. In this procedure the surgeon cuts the tendons of each toe to prevent the cat from extending their claws. While this is a slightly different approach, it also carries negative implications for our feline friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Declawing is Bad for Cats and Bad for People<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At first glance, it may be difficult to understand why declawing is not a good choice. No one likes to be scratched by their pet and couches can be expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we learn more, though, it becomes more and more evident that declawing cats does not benefit them or their people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n