by Rena Sherwood

Created on: February 11, 2008   Last Updated: July 04, 2010

Cats are routinely declawed in America, yet this same practice is considered abhorrent in England.  Even in America, vets will resist decalwing a cat and often for good reasons.  Declawing is not a quick-fix solution.  The American Veterinary Medical Association’s position is that there are times when declawing a cat can be justified.

In America, some cat owners have no choice but to declaw the cat or have the cat put to sleep.  This is often due to an angry landlord’s demand to the cat owner.  It then becomes a choice between the cat’s life or housing.  Although I have not successfully read a cat’s mind, I don't think I'm going out on a limb by saying cats would prefer to stay alive than keep their claws.

Justifiable Circumstances

According to the AVMA, the justifiable circumstances for decalwing a cat are when the cat cannot retract its claws and kep ripping them in carpeting or other material; when a landlord demands it of a cat owner or will turn the owner out; when a cat is overly aggressive with the claws or when a person with a compromised immune system or bleeding problem may be at risk from getting an infection from a cat scratch.

Let me stress - cats should only be declawed when there really is no other option to be had.  Any surgery has its risks, even a procedures as routine as a tendonectomy (declawing).  Remember, your cat will lose his or her primary means of defense when they are declawed.  They must be kept indoors.  They must have a window, lots of toys and lots of interaction with you in order to keep from getting bored, fat and ill.  They need to use soft, clumping litter because regular litter may hurt their paws.

UK vs USA

Cats are mostly kept outdoors in England, which is one reason why declawing is seen as cruel.  The typical English cat would be left defenseless against dogs, teasing children, foxes and other cats.  However, in England, they don't (yet) have to deal with the traffic and cat theft and cat torture problems that are so prevalent in America.  Cats, especailly wandering cats or cats with access to the outdoors are often routinely stolen and sold to medical research companies for dissection or testing.

Cats in America lead vastly different lives than cats in England.  It is still considered normal for cats to be allowed outdoors for long periods of time.  Cats are only part time visitors to houses.  About 88 – 92% of UK cats are outdoor cats, while the majority of cats have to stay indoors in America. (See Reference 3.)

If you are planning on showing your cat, you better check the breed standard before getting your cat declawed.  Many breeds will automatically disqualify any cat that has had a tendonectomy.

Cats are extremely intelligent and adaptable.  They can adjust very quickly to life without claws in their paws.  They usually do not exhibit signs of stress such as losing weight, pacing or yowling.  Cats can live a normal lifespan without their claws, provided they are kept indoors and given the care needed for an indoor cat.

Declawing should never be a first option.  But the practice should not be banned for the few cats that can be saved by it.

Resources:

“Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook.” Delbert G. Carlson, DVM, et al. Howell Book House; 1995.

AVMA Position Statement on the Declawing of Domestic Cats. http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/apr03/030415c.asp

Messy Beast.com: The Indoor/Outdoor Debate. Sarah Hartwell. http://www.messybeast.com/indooroutdoor.htm

American Anti-Vivisection Society: Cat Dissection Fact Sheet. http://www.sniksnak.com/aavs3.html

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