Declawing cats

When bringing a small, fluffy bundle into the home, few owners consider potential problems, such as uncontrollable aggression toward people or pets, or damage to furniture, wallpaper, and curtains. If attempts to retrain the animal fail, a veterinarian may offer a radical solution: declawing, or onychectomy, for cats.

About the procedure

The procedure of declawing cats is affectionately called "soft paws" or "velvet paws," but the scientific term is onychectomy. It's a surgical procedure in which the animal's outermost (ulnar) phalanx is completely removed. For medical reasons, onychectomy is performed not only on cats, but also on dogs, primates, and sometimes even birds.

Important! Onychectomy is a major surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. Therefore, before making a decision, it is important to conduct a comprehensive examination of the animal and ensure that the cat can tolerate anesthesia and the difficult recovery period.

Indications for surgery:

• severe damage to the nail phalanx (due to injury or disease);
• uncontrolled aggression of an animal towards others;
• the owner's wishes (in this case, the veterinarian may refuse to perform the procedure).

At what age do cats have their claws removed?

Due to the above indications, declawing kittens under 3 months of age is extremely rare (usually for medical reasons). It's important to understand that in cases of aromatization, one or more nails must be amputated. However, when performing the procedure for the safety of others or preserving the interior, the veterinarian must remove all nails, which is very traumatic.

The optimal period for performing the “soft paws” procedure is from 6 months to a year.

When discussing the age at which a cat can have its claws removed, veterinarians cite the following arguments in favor of the specified age range:

• the cardiovascular system is already strengthened;
• the instinct to scratch everything in sight has not yet formed and become entrenched;
• The cat is just entering puberty.

In cases of uncontrolled aggression, cats can have their claws removed at any age, provided they are in good health. However, it is important to understand that the older the animal, the more difficult it will be for it to undergo the rehabilitation period and adapt to the new realities of life.

How does the operation proceed?

Before performing an onychectomy, tests are taken and an examination is carried out, in particular, the functioning of the cardiovascular system is checked, which determines the cat's readiness for anesthesia.

Advice! It is recommended not to feed your cat for 12 hours before the surgery!

Procedure:

1. setting up general anesthesia;
2. applying a pressure bandage to prevent bleeding;
3. treating paws with an antiseptic;
4. excision of the nail phalanges (the surrounding tissues are not injured);
5. removal of the pressure bandage;
6. final treatment of wounds;
7. applying a bandage (should cover most of the forearm);
8. an injection of antibiotics and painkillers.

Important! In the postoperative period (3-5 days), you will need to continue to inject antibiotics and pain medication. To relieve pain, you will also need to wear bandages And postoperative collar it may take much longer.

On average, the rehabilitation process, assuming no complications, takes about a month. It's important to understand that during this period, the animal will be unable to move normally, and after the bandages are removed, it will have to relearn how to walk, as the distribution of weight on the paws changes significantly when the outer phalanges are removed.

Sometimes veterinarians recommend performing the surgery in stages, first on the front legs and then on the hind legs, but in this case, the painful period for the animal only prolongs, and the animal will also have to undergo two general anesthesias, which doubles the negative impact on the body.

Rehabilitation

As with any surgical procedure, your furry pet will require special care after declawing to ensure they can get back on their feet.

For normal rehabilitation of the animal it is necessary:

• Use pain-relieving injections only on the advice of a veterinarian;
• show the operated animal to the doctor every 3-4 days;
• the stitches need to be treated daily and the dressing needs to be changed;
• It's important to ensure that your cat doesn't remove the protective collar. You need to prevent your pet from chewing on the bandages and stitches.

The average recovery period is 3-4 weeks. Declawing is not recommended for kittens under 7 months old, but it's generally better to spay the animal first and analyze its behavior. After all, declawing is often unnecessary.

Consequences of the operation

Animal rights activists unequivocally oppose this procedure unless it has a medical indication. They compare declawing a cat to removing the last phalanx of a human finger. Doctors, however, argue that this comparison is inappropriate. However, after a total onychectomy, cats experience irreversible changes.

Here are some of the consequences you might notice in your cat after declawing:

• inflammation of soft tissues and even osteomyelitis (necrotic process);
• During surgery, the cat may lose a large amount of blood;
• the healing process usually takes longer than expected;
• the animal's coordination of movements is impaired;
• the cat's character changes, since the rehabilitation process takes a lot of time and is very painful;
• constant supervision of the animal is required to ensure that it does not damage the stitches;
• a cat may not cope well with anesthesia;
• The pet begins to ignore the litter box because it cannot dig in it as before.

These are just a few of the unpleasant consequences of declawing. Of course, if there are medical indications for declawing, they shouldn't be ignored. However, it's also important to understand that if there are medical indications, the cat's claws aren't completely declawed; only the diseased or damaged ones are removed.

How much does cat declawing cost?

The cost of a total onychectomy varies depending on the clinic's level and location. For example, in Moscow and the surrounding region, the cost ranges from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles. Prices may be lower in the regions.

If you're considering such a serious surgery for your pet, don't skimp. It's best to choose a clinic that specializes in surgery. Better yet, choose one that offers a doctor's home visit. If the surgery is performed in your cat's familiar environment, they may recover more quickly.

Reviews

Owner reviews of cat declawing, as well as opinions on the advisability of the procedure, vary widely. Below are a few testimonials from owners who have undergone this complex procedure.

Victoria, Barsik's owner:

"Our Barsik was always a calm and beloved cat. But at some point, he began displaying unjustified aggression toward my husband and some other members of the family. We couldn't determine the cause, and feline sedatives weren't helping. After a long battle, we made a desperate decision—to declaw Barsik. The surgery was successful, and his recovery took just over a month. He completely changed, becoming calm, even a little withdrawn. His activity level dropped significantly. I can't say I regret the surgery, as our problem was completely resolved."

Marina, owner of Sonya and Kitty:

"Sonya was always a calm cat. After a few years, we decided to get her a friend. That's how we got Kitty. The girls quickly became friends, but they still fought sometimes. One time, Sonya scratched the younger one so badly that we even had to take her to the vet. That's when we decided to declaw Sonya.

The surgery went well, but the recovery period was extremely difficult. The cat was lethargic, her appetite was poor, and she was completely unresponsive. Over time, Sonya began to walk confidently, but a slight limp remained. Her jumps were timid, and she couldn't balance on high shelves. Sonya began to completely ignore the litter box. We certainly resolved the cat fighting issue once and for all, but we completely lost our beloved cat. I deeply regret taking this step."

Alternative to the soft paws operation

Onychectomy is a dangerous and cruel procedure that shouldn't be performed on an owner's whim. Declawing a cat is like going to a clinic and amputating your own toes. It's important to approach this step responsibly and understand that any problem can be solved without surgery.

For example, if your cat has a habit of sharpening its claws on furniture or walls, you can create a special place for it. You can buy a scratching post or make one yourself. If your furry friend stubbornly ignores the new scratching spot, you should try to attract them to it. Store-bought scratching posts are usually specially treated to attract cats. The same can be done with homemade equipment. A few drops of valerian will solve any problem.

If your cat is aggressive toward its owners or simply scratches during active play, you can trim its claws regularly. This procedure is available at all veterinary clinics and pet salons, or you can trim the claws yourself. It's important to trim only the sharp tips to avoid injuring the cat. Also, trimming should be done when the cat is calm or half asleep.

Also all the problems with claws will help solve silicone padsSoft silicone caps securely attach to the claw, protecting owners and furniture from cats' sharp weapons.

Whatever the owner's decision regarding their pet's claws, they should always remember the truism: "We are responsible for what we have tamed." Therefore, all our actions should be aimed at the well-being of their pet and should never harm it. And if you train your cat from the very first day, there will be no problems with either the litter box or claws.

You can also ask our website's staff veterinarian a question, who will answer them as quickly as possible in the comments box below.

Read also:

• Anti-scratch mittens for cats
• Master class on making a scratching post
• How to train a cat to use a scratching post?