Today I’d like to talk about a subject that has caused quite a controversy within the pet lovers’ community. It’s the process of declawing and I know a lot of my readers feel very strongly about it in one way or another. Do you know what declawing is?
In short, declawing (also called an onychectomy) is an elective surgical procedure in which the nail and last bone are removed from all of the toes of a cat's front feet, and occasionally the rear feet as well. It is performed to make your cat unable to scratch furniture, people or other animals. There are no known health benefits other than convenience to humans.
Because cats seldom use their rear claws to scratch furniture, these bones are usually left intact if a cat is declawed in the front. This way they can still climb trees, protect themselves, and escape more quickly if threatened while still not being able to scratch inappropriately.
There are many veterinarians that won't do declawing at all. They simply refuse on both medical and moral grounds. The procedure itself can be tricky to perform and complications can arise as a result. Many vets also consider the procedure to be similar to cosmetic surgery and an inhumane practice.
Do you think it’s fair to declaw a cat? Should declawing be illegal? Please take our poll. I'm interested in your thoughts. When you are done sharing your opinion, take a look at these interesting comments on declawing.
Here’s another procedure that causes controversy: pet ear piercing. What do you think about THAT? Share your opinion in our poll
Until next time,
Dr. Jon
P.S.: Most owners who opt for declawing do so because they can’t control their cat’s scratching. If you are wondering what to do, take a look at our guide:http://www.petplace.com/cat-scratching-a-guide-to-declawing
P.P.S.: A scratching post can solve a lot of behavioral problems and make your cat really happy. Do you know how to choose a good one? Learn how at:http://www.petplace.com/selecting-a-scratching-post-for-your-cat
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