11/13/2025
The What, Whys, and Hows of Declawing ✂️
WHAT is it❓
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Declawing is the surgical amputation of the last bone of a cat's toe, including the tissue from which the claw grows from, by use of a scalpel, clipper, or laser.
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WHY is it done❓
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While this procedure is sometimes necessary in cases of chronic nail bed disease, it is most often done as an elective procedure to protect household possessions or injury to humans.
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HOW does it affect the cat❓
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The change to their anatomy requires them to put all their weight directly onto the amputated digit, which can cause long-term pain. Furthermore, the stress of declawing can also lead to behavioral changes such as finding alternative means of marking their territory, overgrooming, and antisocial tendencies.
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To sum things up, the trauma caused by declawing greatly outweighs the perceived benefits. There are much better alternatives out there, including...
✂️ Training and behavioral modifications
✂️ Furniture protection
✂️ Nail Caps
✂️ Adjust your expectations
To learn more, check out the following article: https://www.catster.com/ask-the-vet/declawing-cats/
📸: PangoVet
