Should You Declaw Your Cat?

Whether or not to declaw a cat is an important decision a cat owner must make. The choice can be controversial with some thinking it inhumane, and other thinking it very beneficial.

Declawing a cat is the cutting off of the end of each toe. Sometimes this is just done on the front feet, sometimes it is done all all of them. Generally a kitten is put under general anesthetic for the procedure and pain medications are administered after.

It is ideal for declawing to take place at an early age. Kittens tend to heal quicker since they put less stress on their feet. Kittens can be declawed as your as six weeks of age.

Declawed kittens must remain indoors. A cats claws are its major defense to protect themselves from preditors. A declawed cat has lost that defense and can be vulnerable outdoors.

Some people are very against declawing. They go as far as to call declawing mutilation. In some states, lawmakers are going as far attempting to legislate whether or not its legal to declaw a cat.

Those who support declawing feel that the procedure can help a pet and owner bond. This will reduce the likelihood that the cat will be abandoned and end up in a shelter or as a stray.

If you plan on having an indoor cat, declawing may be an appropriate decision for you.