Cat Declawing Is A Bad Idea

One question that arises among many cat owners is about whether or not they should consider having their cat declawed.  Given the destructive potential cat claws contain, it is entirely understandable why this would be the case.  Some cats, particularly kittens, do not quite understand just how sharp their claws are and can accidentally injure you or someone else while they are playing.  They also have the ability to shred carpets, curtains, and furniture, and sometimes do just that.  Despite how logical it may seem to do so, declawing a cat is a terrible idea for many different reasons.

Most people see declawing a cat as pretty much the same thing as a person clipping his or her finger or toenails.  This is most definitely not the case, as declawing a cat is a major surgery that should not be undertaken lightly.  Cat claws are actually attached to the bone, and are akin to the final knuckle on our fingers.  Consider how much more difficult life would be if you had the last knuckle of every one of your fingers removed.  You wouldn’t be able to function nearly as well as you do now, and you would likely be rather traumatized by the experience.  Cats have claws for more than just shredding furniture or scratching you during play.

It is particularly dangerous to declaw your cat if your cat spends a good portion of his or her time outdoors.  Out in the world, your cat is going to mingle with other cats and, at some point or another, is going to end up in a fight.  If this happens when your cat no longer has his or her natural weapons, he or she is going to be at a serious disadvantage and could end up being badly injured as a result.  Since their ability to climb will also be impeded, they will have a much more difficult time if they need to escape.

When cats are declawed, they also tend to exhibit a number of different behavioral problems.  They are understandably frustrated at losing the tips of their “fingers,” and many of their natural territorial instincts are no longer available to them.  Scratching as a way of marking territory is no longer possible, so they may start spraying instead.  Kitten care becomes even more difficult because they also will likely begin to show much more aggressive tendencies.

Declawing a cat is a terrible idea, and not just because of how traumatic the experience is for the cat.  Declawing is also unnecessary.  The best way to go is to train them to not use their claws in the home, but some cats are certainly more stubborn than others and do not respond nearly as well to kitten training efforts.  Luckily, another option exists for the untrainable.  There are nylon tips that can be fitted over the claws that take away the sharp edge.  They are not a perfect solution for cats that spend time outdoors, but they do provide a humane alternative to declawing.