by Gemma Barrett

Created on: January 24, 2007   Last Updated: April 30, 2007

So, declawing cats is in my opinion cruel and inhumane but that is just my view. The facts is that declawing a cat is not just a matter of removing the claw. It is in effect an amputation of the last joint of the cats 'toes'. It is a very painful process and endures a very painful recovery. Painkillers can be prescribed but their will still be some pain because of the nature of the surgery. During the recovery time the cat will still have to use its feet to move about and to go to the toilet etc.

A cats body has evolved and adapted to sitautions over the years and a major part of its anatomy is the claws. They are used as a defense against predators and it is a cats natural instict to hunt.

Declawing (Onychectomy) does not only affect the cats claws. The claws are used for balance, exercising and stretching the muscles in the cats legs, back, shoulders and paws. The muscles are stretched by digging their claws into something and pulling back against their 'grip'. The toes also help the feet to meet the ground at a particular angle so that the legs, shoulder and back muscles are properly alligned. Declawing basically contorts the angle at which the feet meet the ground causing subsequent backpain to the cat.

"General anesthesia is used for this surgery, which always has a certain degree of risk of disability or death associated with it. Because declawing provides no medical benefits to cats, even slight risk can be considered unacceptable. In addition, the recovery from declawing can be painful and lengthy and may involve postoperative complications such as infections, hemorrhage, and nail regrowth. The latter may subject the cat to additional surgery." The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR)

So what are the alternatives?

-Ensure the cat has a scratching post.
-Sprays are available that deter cats from areas where they are not allowed to scratch.
-Behavioural training is available for cats with agression problems.
-Keep the cats claws well trimmed.
-Claw guards are available for agressive cats.

So these are the facts and it is on this basis that I choose to disagree with declawing cats.

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