Sara
Cats have claws for a reason.
A cat uses its claws for several reasons. By taking their claws away, you are stripping them of their basic rights. A couple of states in the US have prohibited declawing. However, there are numerous states where this action is as yet legal. If you knew about the reality of declawing and the harm it could do to your feline’s psychological state, it would be enough reason for you to never do it. Have some pity on your cats and stop the practice of declawing.
Below are 5 reasons why you shouldn’t declaw your cat:
1. Scratching is totally normal and is important for your feline’s well-being.
Cats scratch for various reasons. Usually, when they are scratching a surface, they are marking their territory alongside stamping it with their scent. They even do it as a means of showing love by scratching places that have their owner’s smell on them.
Unlike lions and tigers, cats have retractable claws. These are essential for their survival in the outside world. They use these claws to show signs and communicate with fellow cats. Felines also use their claws when they stretch to release tension.
2. Your cat will be traumatised by it.
ASPCA.org shares about onychectomy, also known as declawing, “is the amputation of the last digital bone, including the nail bed and claw, on each front toe. If the surgery is performed correctly and the entire nail bed is removed, the claw cannot regrow.”
Don’t compare declawing to a manicure. It’s nowhere even close. Let’s put it this way, taking away your cat’s claws is the same as cutting off a human being’s fingers. Doesn’t sound fun now, does it? A claw is considered a body part. You are literally mutilating your cat.
There is additionally a technique known as a tendonectomy which is now and then performed, in which the ligament which controls each toe is cut off. This technique is related to a high frequency of strangely thick claw development. To top it all off, declawing may be necessary later on because of complications engaged with tendonectomy.
For felines which are declawed as a grown-up, it has been discovered that they never mentally recover from the trauma. Declawing is only justified for a predetermined number of reasons. These reasons include harm to the nail, a tumour, or irreversible injury.
3. Felines that have been declawed are inclined to behavioural issues
Once you declaw your cat, you will notice that it has become more aggressive towards people and other animals. It will try to fight others off, but sadly it can’t since it does not have claws anymore. The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery relates this unusual behaviour to declawing.
Sciencedaily has the following data about declawing:
For the study, the author group, based in North America, investigated a total of 137 non-declawed cats and 137 declawed cats, of which 33 were declawed on all four feet. All 274 cats were physically examined for signs of pain and barbering (excessive licking or chewing of fur) and their medical history was reviewed for unwanted behaviours. They found that inappropriate toileting, biting, aggression and overgrooming occurred significantly more often in the declawed cats than the non-declawed cats (roughly 7, 4, 3 and 3 times more often, respectively, based on the calculated odds ratio). A declawed cat was also almost 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with back pain than a non-declawed cat (potentially due to shortening of the declawed limb and altered gait, and/or chronic pain at the site of the surgery causing compensatory weight shift to the pelvic limbs).
4. Your act is unprotected should it ever get lost outside.
Cats need their paws to protect themselves from bigger predators in nature. Albeit solely indoor cats are not in danger of interacting with predators, there is the likelihood that your cat can go missing. Should an indoor cat which has been declawed get lost outside, they have essentially no chance to save themselves if they get attacked. Felines don’t utilize their teeth to shield themselves as canines would. They depend on their claws for protection.
5. It can put your cat’s health in danger.
Clearly there are surgical concerns, for example inconveniences with sedation under anaesthesia. There are different issues which can happen post-medical procedure too. In the event that a feline’s claws have not been removed appropriately, there can be regrowth of inappropriately removed claws, nerve damage, and bone spurs.
As indicated by an investigation highlighted on National Geographic, it is evaluated that some types of complications include haemorrhaging, tormenting pain, and claw regrowth – which happens in 25 to 50 per cent of declawing medical procedures.
Let’s put a stop to this cruel practice. There are other ways to train your cat and stop them from scratching things. Mutilating them is not the answer. Share this article with cat owners to enlighten them.