Over the years, countless cat owners have struggled with the decision of whether they should get their cats “declawed”.
Some people think it’s the best option to avoid rough play fighting and damage to their furniture, while other people see declawing as a cruel form of animal abuse. The best way to make sure that you’re making the right decision is to get informed. So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
The Pros of Declawing
The main reason that cat owners choose to declaw their cats is to protect their furniture. After all, cats do a lot of scratching, and if your cat is declawed, they won’t be able to cause any damage to your expensive new couch.
Additionally, without any claws, your cat won’t pose much of a threat to you or other people in your house because they won’t be able to lash out and scratch anyone. This means that you won’t have to worry about your feline friend playing too rough with the kids.
The Cons of Declawing
Declawing your cats is a painful, and frightening experience for the animal. Ultimately, declawing means removing the first digit of your cat’s toes on the front feet. This would be the equivalent of having someone remove everything up to the first joint on your fingers.
Although we can’t prove how painful the procedure is, many look at it as a form of torture.
Declawing can sometimes cause behaviour issues in your cat.
The most common problem is that they’re no longer able to use the litter tray as normal. This is likely because after a cat is declawed, their front feet are sore, and using the litter tray will cause them additional pain. This means that they’ll go to the bathroom anywhere that’s comfortable.
Related: 5 Tips For Finding A Lost Cat
Use Other Methods First
Often, it’s a better idea to train your cat not to scratch the furniture at all, by teaching him or her to use his scratching post instead. If you’re considering declawing, you’ll probably find that it’s in the best interests of both you, and your cat, to try different methods instead.
After all, declawing is a completely irreversible process, so you can’t go back if you decide against it in the future. At the same time, there’s now little caps available that you can put over your cat’s claws to keep your household safe.
Affiliate links included below. Thanks for your support!
We recommend that you explore every other method of managing your cat’s claws before you resort to a painful procedure, like declawing.
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, on our Facebook Page, Follow Our Twitter Account or Head Over To Our Pinterest Page!
I would rather cut my cat’s nails and buy him tons of scratcher posts and toys than declaw him. I am completely against this, without a doubt. I think it’s the worst thing that you can do to a loving cat.
I would never declaw my cat. I get him scratch post and keep his nail trimmed.
I would rather cut my cat’s nails and buy him tons of scratcher posts and toys than declaw him. I am completely against this, without a doubt. I think it’s the worst thing that you can do to a loving cat.
I would never declaw my cat. I get him scratch post and keep his nail trimmed.
In my opinion if you going to have pets you need to accept that there will be “accidents”. I would never be able to declaw my cats and even my dogs it really is cruel!
In my opinion if you going to have pets you need to accept that there will be “accidents”. I would never be able to declaw my cats and even my dogs it really is cruel!
I would never declaw my cat if I had one. I’ll have scratching post all of the place for them for do so or trim their names.
I would never declaw my cat if I had one. I’ll have scratching post all of the place for them for do so or trim their names.
I am a dog person and have been all my life, but things happen and 2 cats came by and did not leave and although they were about 10 years apart and I really did not know a thing about them I knew they were sick and needed my help. One was Epileptic and the other was so tiny she could not live alone and our dogs LOVED them both. Our female Dog fed the baby. From what , you please tell me. The other kitty was easily controlled with Phenobarbital ( Epilepsy) I would never in a million years have considered DE-clawing either one. I;d never heard of such a thing. Our dogs were not furniture lovers either, but I would not have ever considered making them less able to defend themselves OR their Kitty friends .