Most people believe that declawing cats is harmless. They think that it is a ‘quick fix’ to unwanted scratches. What they don’t know is declawing can make cats not want to use their litter box or are more likely to bite. Also, what they do not know is that when you declaw cats, it can bring about lasting problems for your cat.

Many countries have banned cat declawing unless it is necessary for medical reasons like removal of cancerous nail tumours. People with immunodeficiency or bleeding disorders may be advised that their health may be protected when they declaw their cats.

However, health specialists do not advice declawing on the dangers of declawing cats. The risk from scratches is not as fatal as that from bites or fleas carried around b their cats.

Is declawing a cat painful?

Too often, many people think that to declaw cats is to simply remove a cat’s nail -Just as trimming your fingernails. Sadly, that is not the truth. Declawing involves amputation of the last bone of the toe. If the procedure was to be performed on a human, it would be like cutting the last knuckle of each finger.

The procedure has no medical benefit to your cat. You should train your cat to use their claws in a manner that pleases everyone in your household. When you declaw cats, they feel pain in the paw; they are susceptible to infections, increased chances of lameness, and back pain.

Removing your cat’s claws changes the way their feet meets the ground, and causes similar pain to wearing uncomfortable shoes. Claws that are not properly removed can re-grow and cause nerve damage and bone spurs.

How long Does it Take for cat’s Paws to Heal after declawing?

The cat declaw healing process can be easy or slightly difficult depending on the age and the overall health of the cat. The recovery process may be smooth or take quite a while, and this depends on the cat. The average healing time takes two to six weeks on average.

After the procedure, it is advised to confine your cat in one area and replace their litter box with shredded newspaper to avoid further injury and infection.

It usually takes time for the cat to gain full energy after the declawing process. Some cats can walk the following day after the surgery while others take longer. If there are no complications, your cat will heal in two to three weeks.

But why should you put your cat under this? I have had stories of people regretting to have declawed their cats claiming it’s cruel and makes the cat even more aggressive.

Declaw Cats Considerations

Before agreeing to declaw your cat, you should research for proper scratching behaviors to help their cat to stop being destructive. Scratching in cats is normal and uses this behaviour to mark their territory. If your cat has destructive scratching behaviour, you should research for alternatives other than declawing them.

The procedure should be performed only on medical reasons and not for cosmetic reasons. Declawing will cause extreme pain a few days after surgery, and this will cause pain when the cat is walking, running, and jumping.

If you feel declawing your cat is necessary, it is best if it is performed when your cat is still young since kittens tend to recover faster than older cats.

Complications associated with declawing your cat include but are not limited to;

• Inflammation and infection
• Severe pain
• Nerve paralysis
• Regrowth of the claw brought by improper claw removal
• Anaesthetic death

What are alternatives to declawing a cat?

Declawing your cat is a cruel act and always considers it when it is the last option. Did you know that you can train your cat from not scratching and destroying your household? Yes indeed, cats too can be trained just like dogs. It is not as hard as it sounds; here are tips you can use to train your cat.

If you do not want your cat to damage your home with unwanted scratches, you can try out the below tips.

• Keep your cat’s claws trimmed to help them not scratch your belongings.
• Have stable scratching posts and boards in your home. You can use different materials on the posts and board. You can also use toys or catnip to entice your cat to use the boards.
• Position the board or post near your cat’s sleeping spot, or near the furniture they like to scratch.
• Always rewards your cat with treats every time they use the post or board.
• Never hit your cat if they scratch your sofa. Just say ‘NO’ and relocate the cat to the appropriate scratching post, and reward them when they use it.
• Use special tape on your seats and furniture to deter your cat from scratching them.

Do Cats personalities change after declawing?

Just take a moment and look through a cat’s world. Removing him from his safe environment and taking him to the vet where he gets poked with a needle, and wakes up with throbbing pain in his paws.

For the next few weeks, his feet are sore and unable to walk properly or use his paws. He may start to associate the pain he feels while using his litter box to the litter box itself. This will make him fear using the litter box.

The behaviour of a cat changes after you declaw them. They may start biting and urinating outside the litter box. Also, they are likely not to trust how you handle them, and are prone to elimination disorder.

Our toes are important since they help us maintain our balance. It is not different for cats! Because of the impaired balance, declawed cats learn how to walk again, just as you would after losing your toes. Then, why should you subject this to your cat? If it is not medical wise, please never declaw your cat. It is the cruellest thing you could ever do to them!