Cats like to scratch on services as a way of cleaning their claws and keeping them in good shape. This can be destructive especially if they scratch on your furniture. Therefore, many cat owners make a decision to declaw the cat so as to avoid this destructive nature and save their furniture. Declawing not only removes the claws but also the last finger bone is commonly known as a distal phalanx.
Pros:
1. Prevents the cat’s destructive nature: If the cat’s social behavior causes a lot of destruction to your household, declawing it will save on your household. It also avoids a situation where you give up the cat for adoption due to its social behavior. The cat’s aggression may make their co-existence look unattainable.
2. Prevent transfer of bacteria: Bacteria on the cat’s claws can be transmitted to individuals which can cause some trauma. Declawing will prevent the spread of bacteria to those with a weak immune system or the elderly who are on blood thinners.
3. Improves the relationship between the cat and owner: Destruction of furniture and other properties can result in resentment. Declawing strengthens the bond between the owner and the cat since it won’t scratch things in the house.
4. Stop scratches: Cats will no longer scratch the owner when playing or scratch furniture. The cats may decide to take a swipe at you but it will not inflict any pain or damage to you.
5. Prevents abandonment or giving it out for adoption: If the owner can’t put up with the cat’s destructive nature may decide to give it out for adoption. Declawing prevents giving out the cat for adoption or abandoning it in cat centers.
6. Stretches muscles: The claws stretch muscles in the paws, shoulders, back, and legs.
7. Keep claws clean: The nails are removed permanently hence the claws will stay clean compared to complete claws.
8. Keep claws healthy: Declawed cats have healthy claws. The cat will not scratch on things that can bring germs to the claws.
9. Improves relationship: Most cat owners claim that after declawing, the relation between them and the cat improves.
10. Lowers tension: The process helps you to get peace of mind on the cat’s health.
Cons:
1. Defenseless: Declawing the cat makes it defenseless, therefore, the cat shouldn’t be allowed to go out since it can’t defend itself if threatened by other animals. It also affects how the cat interacts with other animals.
2. Affects cats’ behavior: Declawing the nails may affect the cat’s natural behaviors and their instincts. The cats will not be able to scratch or mark their territory. The cats use the claws for balance and removing them prevents them from stretching naturally.
3. Painful experience: Although some medications are administered before the surgery procedure, cats may experience some unpleasant discomfort.
4. Complications: Declawing is a surgical procedure and if not done well, it may pose a risk to the cat. Some of these risks include the reopening of the wound and some bacterial infections on the claws.
5. Emotional stress: Cats are not emotionally prepared for the surgery and removing their claws will have an emotional effect on them. They may take a lot of time to adjust to their new status and be able to walk properly.
6. It causes harm: It is dangerous for declawed cats to go outside. This is because declawing makes the cat lose its defense ability. As a result of this, it is easy for them to harm by other cats. It is important for cat owners to keep the pet inside until it recovers properly. The most disadvantages come when you have to keep the cat indoors for the rest of your life or lose it.
7. The procedure itself is painful: Most people assume that declawing is like a rimming nail but it’s surgery. Declawing involves removing a piece of bone where the claw grows. They use a piece of sliding blade equipment to cut a line on the joint between the bones. This can be compared to amputating the tip of a finger. The surgery is accompanied by pain, bleeding, or swelling. However, you will get a prescription for reducing the pain. This surgery is serious and you have to know more about it before you give it a try.
8. It is Not 100% efficient: The surgery is not 100% efficient. Sometimes the cat loses more blood and the part swells. In addition to that, the nails can grow in the paw after the procedure. The growth occurs when the whole growth is not completely removed. This is the reason you are supposed to have basic knowledge of declawing. This results in deformed nails and more pain than in previous surgery. Ensure you go to a qualified vet with years of experience.
9. Imbalances: The claws are used for proper balance. Declawing a cat can cause imbalance. Additionally, the surgery makes alters the toes to meet the ground at the proper angle. For this reason, it lands unnaturally on the ground hence it triggers pain. This feeling can be compared to wearing uncomfortable shoes. You will feel like removing them from the feet to get comfortable.
10. Lameness: Food infections can make the cat become lame. Ensure the pet is not having swelling after the surgery.
11. Bone chips: Bone chips are pieces of bone that can loosen after declawing. Large bone chips require another surgery because they are painful. Nonetheless, small chips do not cause pain. You should always monitor the injury, rush to a qualified vet if you notice weird changes.
Recently Added
